Marathon training: Laziness made me do it!

For the longest time, I had no real interest in running a marathon. All my "running sisters" had done at least one, and I was the only one left who hadn't yet tackled 26.2. I think, back in my faster days, the thought of running a marathon meant having to slow down, which I didn't like. I saw how much my running pace had slowed when I trained for my half-iron. It was apparent I had to choose either speed or endurance to be OK at one. At least with my limited amount of time to train. And triathlon just seemed more fun at the time.

But then came pregnancy, then the kiddo, and running became the most efficient way to keep exercising at a level my body and brain needed. It clearly took much less time to lace up and run out the door than to prep all the gear involved in a swim or bike workout. So yeah, I was being lazy. But it reignited my first love: running.

Photo: cycnut.com

Now, training for Big Sur has done a lot to remind me how much I love to run. Though I have yet to confess my love for tempo workouts, the speed workouts are a fun challenge (and a chance to rock my awesome new Speedstars, at right). And, for this busy mama, the Saturday morning long runs are what I need for some calm, quiet me-time and a convenient way to catch up on This American Life.

As I mentioned before, I'm following the FIRST marathon plan, particularly the plan for first-timers that was posted on their site.

I've successfully used the three-day-a-week regimen for previous half marathons, and it seems to be working well for this longer distance as well.

I'll admit that my cross training hasn't been stellar, with power yoga at least once a week, occasional biking and walking and what I call toddler toning at least two times a week. (That's taking my 30-something-pound wiggling kiddo to a mommy-and-me swim class and an extremely active Gymboree-type class.) When I think back to my half-iron training when I was doing two-a-days, I marvel at myself and want to go (back) to there. But baby steps, right?

And I'm hitting my marks, at least for the speed workout and the long runs. The tempo run's midpoint between short, fast bursts and long, slow endurance is eluding me, and I'm wondering if that'll be a problem later. For now, I'll be satisfied with running well and without injury.  

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