Mileage (miles per workout): 3 - 4 - 3 - 6

Week Two.  What do I have to say about Week Two?  For starters it comes immediately following Week One.  That you can always count on.  Unless you’re counting backwards, then I can’t help you.  This week was better than the last.  My legs didn’t try to file a rebuttal every time I asked them to work a little harder.  My back on the other hand threw the book at me.  It seemed to tighten up with every mile.  I focused on keeping my arms loose and my neck and shoulders relaxed to bring some of the tension off my back and it helped.  Now it wasn’t total relief but it wasn’t more than a little ibuprofen couldn’t handle at the end of the run.

As the temperature climbed into the 90s this week, there was definitely more sweating on my part.  A lady walking past me even commented to her friend that it looked like I was sweating to death.  I took that as a compliment.  In my view, it meant I was working hard to achieve this marathon goal.  I guess I could even say I was proud.  Proud to be doing something most people won’t even attempt.  Burning calories is definitely more gratifying than consuming them.

When I run I get this feeling.  I haven’t found an adjective to adequately describe what it is yet.  I feel calm, relaxed, powerful, accomplished, as if I didn’t have a care in the world and as if nothing could stop me.  Take all those feelings, roll them together and there would still be something missing.  Maybe I’ll find it at the finish line of the marathon.  Maybe I won’t.  But I’m not actively searching for it.  I know I already posses whatever it is and it will emerge when it is good and ready.  Perhaps it is just as stubborn as I am.

Things I have learned this week:

First: Running up hills stinks.  But I’ve found a way to make them feel easier.  Try focusing on your feet and not looking toward the crest of the hill.  It made the hills less daunting.  By the time you realize you’re on a hill, it’s already behind you and you’ll be asking yourself why you dreaded that hill in the first place.

Last: Liquid bandages are infinitely better than regular ones.  Just make sure you let it completely dry before putting on your socks.

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Continue reading - Week Three