So it all started with a dream that I had on the eve of my 39th birthday. In my dream I ran a marathon although I did look a little worse for wear at the end of it. I woke up at the age of 39 and decided that this is something that I must do. Instead of signing up for a marathon I decide to sign up for the Ajax Waterfront 1/2 Marathon which took place on Sunday October 25th.
My training for this event started at the end of August and thanks to a major sinus infection was called off on September 13th for a two week period. Can you say oh my goodness.
On a weekly basis I teach an average of 15 group fitness class per week but I can honestly say that running is a completely different beast. Not as easy as I remember when running cross country at Morningside Park back in the 80’s or is it that my body is no longer that of a 14 year old runner. Needless to say perseverance paid off and having something to work toward kept me motivated. I would run a few times per week at 6 a.m. with my dog. Max was extremely appreciative.
My runs ranged anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on how I felt on any given day. Prior to running the 1/2 marathon on Sunday the furthest that I had run was 15.2 km. The 1/2 marathon was 21.1km. One thing that I am sure really helped me to get through the run was the fact that I do a lot of yoga and spend a lot of time stretching, especially my tight legs.
I awoke on the day of the marathon to a beautiful sunny day and I was filled with excitement and a bit of apprehension as well. I went into the run hoping to finish in about 2.5 hours, not a bad time for a first timer. I was told to pace myself and try to make it to the 10km point in about an hour. So that is exactly what I did by running 10 minutes and walking like I meant it for 1. I have found this technique to be incredibly helpful in reducing lactic acid build up as well as allowing me a few moments to get my breathing back to normal.
I really went into the race just wanting to finish and have a good time. All of which I did in record (my record) time. The last 4 km were the most difficult for me as I knew the end was near and I just really wanted to be done. It doesn’t help that near the end of this race we have to run about 2 km past the finish line and then loop back. I found that to be a wee bit disheartening. Needless to say I spent a lot of time talking to myself like I was the little train that could by continually telling myself and others for that matter that we were almost there. Your doing great, keep up the good work. As I approached the finish line I was surprised to experience a burst of speed and energy. My final time was 2:19:44. Wooohooo…………I did it and I beat my predicted time.
The pride and the sense of accomplishment that I felt for having finished the race are really indescribable. It has just proven to me that I am able to achieve anything that I set my mind to. We all have that ability to achieve our dreams if only we try. Heck I have all ready signed up for 2 more runs.
Check out my website http://www.ajaxfitness.com/ for my upcoming Lisa’s Learn to Run clinics that I am offering in Ajax through November and December in hopes that we run the 5km Resolution Run on New Years Day.
Remember it all started with a little dream, so keep dreaming and believe in yourself. YOU TOO CAN DO ANYTHING YOU DREAM. No dream is too big or too small.
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