Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Building up to 26.2
I participated in my first marathon on January 8, 2006 at 6:00 a.m. in Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. And it was one of the most amazing things I've ever done!
I've never been a serious athlete--not even an athlete at all! I look back and can honestly say that previous to this, my only running had been as a member of my 8th grade track team! And really, anyone who wanted to participate on our school track team did, so it really wasn't a spot that I "earned" because of my ability.
I had surgery February 2005 and started my serious marathon training in June 2005. I walked to begin with because I hadn't done any exercise at all since January 2005. Through the organized training program that I joined, I met three great friends that I call my Running Buddies! Their hard work and dedication really inspired me and kept me going--I didn't want to let them down. I knew that they would be waiting for me each and every Saturday morning for our scheduled workouts.
My Running Buddies were training for a December 2005 marathon while I was training for the Disney marathon. I saw them on their race day and wished them good luck! I wish I could have been there to see them cross the finish line but the next best thing was when we met a week later for a "We did it!" brunch! You should have seen their faces glowing with pride at finishing the marathon and heard their nonstop excited chatter about their expereinces on race day--did I tell you that for two of the three, it was their first marathon as well?
Knowing they did it, I knew I could finish as well. Nevertheless, I was nervous!
I've never been a serious athlete--not even an athlete at all! I look back and can honestly say that previous to this, my only running had been as a member of my 8th grade track team! And really, anyone who wanted to participate on our school track team did, so it really wasn't a spot that I "earned" because of my ability.
I had surgery February 2005 and started my serious marathon training in June 2005. I walked to begin with because I hadn't done any exercise at all since January 2005. Through the organized training program that I joined, I met three great friends that I call my Running Buddies! Their hard work and dedication really inspired me and kept me going--I didn't want to let them down. I knew that they would be waiting for me each and every Saturday morning for our scheduled workouts.
My Running Buddies were training for a December 2005 marathon while I was training for the Disney marathon. I saw them on their race day and wished them good luck! I wish I could have been there to see them cross the finish line but the next best thing was when we met a week later for a "We did it!" brunch! You should have seen their faces glowing with pride at finishing the marathon and heard their nonstop excited chatter about their expereinces on race day--did I tell you that for two of the three, it was their first marathon as well?
Knowing they did it, I knew I could finish as well. Nevertheless, I was nervous!
// posted by Leenie @ 9:33 PM 
