Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Marathon-Sized Decisions

After going back and forth for a few weeks, I finally decided to make a choice. My first marathon is on the calendar, and it's going to be the Atlanta Marathon on October 26.



It was between that and the WDW Marathon in January, but since our family Disney vacation is in December and I'll be running the Glass Slipper Challenge in February, I decided to opt for the marathon that's close to home. I think it'll make it easier on me to be able to train on the race course, and I like that I'll be close to home.

So now that I've got the where and when, I can focus on more important things. Like what I'm going to wear!

Kidding. Sorta.

Here are some things I'm thinking about well in advance to help me #ThriveNotSurvive:

--The training plan. I'm still deciding between a couple, but I know one thing: it's going to have to be flexible. With a husband who travels a lot for work, I'm going to have to do a lot of planning ahead--and probably a fair amount of training with my joggy stroller.
--My schedule. In the same vein, I'll be trying to identify weekends that are going to throw my training plan--other races, holidays, birthdays.
--Hydration. I've never really carried water with me, but training through the spring and summer in Atlanta is going to require me to do it in some form or fashion.
--Shoes. I've always worn the same shoes, but before I get too far into this process, I'll be visiting a running store for a fitting and see what they suggest.
--Timing. I usually run with my Nike+ app on my phone, but I'm lucky if my phone makes it through a half marathon without dying. Time to start shopping for a watch!
--How incredibly lucky I am to be getting to worry about such things. I know not everyone has the luxury to do something like this, and I'm thankful.

A penny for your thoughts: what trips you up when you're training for a race of any length?

10 comments:

  1. Yay! I just signed up for my first full last week (Philly in November). My Garmin has been conking out lately so I think that I'm going to have to find a new watch as well. :)

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  2. Congrats...I am joining a Galloway group in ATL...and wondering if I should train for another race other than WDW... blasphemy I know. I think the training key is sticking with a plan and following religiously. I know I need to join a group for those long training runs.

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    1. I thought REALLY hard about the Galloway group, but I'm afraid of the Saturday commitment. I already know there will be weekends I can't make it, but I wish I could!

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  3. This is a very timely post for me since I am signing up for my first full in a couple weeks at Disney. I just got my Garmin forerunner 220 so I am all set. Just need to train now. Good points about the schedule. The runs are definitely going to be long. And unfortunately I have winter to contend with too. Good luck!

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    1. YAY for runDisney! It's going to be such a good race! And have fun with your Garmin! :)

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  4. I don't have any tips, just good thoughts coming your way!

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  5. FUEL! Fuel trips me up when I'm training for a race of distance.... And hydration, when training falls in the warmer months, because the water bottle sorta knocks me to one side. CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to sign up for my first marathon :D Focusing on getting healed, first!

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    1. YES! The water bottle makes me lean to one side, too!

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