Running Scared

Today is July 12 and in 12 days I will be running my first marathon. I started training back in February and in late March I cracked a rib in the gym to go along with the tennis elbow. Not only could I not lift but I couldn't run either and I was going nuts because I couldn't do anything to stay in shape.

I don't know if the rib was actually healed but I started running again at the beginning of May giving myself 9 weeks to get in marathon shape. It was definitely not ideal, but I mapped out my 9 weeks and had each run planned and knew that if I stuck to it I could pull it off.

My training regiment was right on track and my mileage was building slowly the way your supposed to. Then the kids arrived and my training schedule was thrown seriously off track. I'm at the point in my training that I should have peaked and be backing my mileage off. I should have completed my long training run of at least 16 miles.

My longest run to date is a 12 mile run over part of the actual course of the marathon and I felt great and planned on completing 16 miles. At mile 9 my calves started to tighten and I had to push myself to get in the next three miles and then I hit the wall and knew my calves could not be pushed any further. Today I ran a 6 mile maintenance run where I increase my pace every mile to simulate fatigue and at the end I felt great. The only problem is there is a huge difference between 6 miles and 26.1 miles.

This is where the running scared title comes into play. I am now running as much as I can because I am scared of the pain I will be confronted with on race day. Lance Armstrong Didn't train properly for his first marathon and was in excruciating pain for a week after the race. He completed the race on sheer willpower and the fact he doesn't know how to quit. He also completed it in less than 3.5 hours.

Lance is one of the greatest athletes in the world and then there is me. I'm 6'4" and 230 pounds. I fall into a special class of marathon runners called the Clydesdale division. In other words I am not not built for speed. My expected finish time will be hovering around the 5 hour mark.

I have been pretty athletic all my life and love challenges. Last year I ran a half marathon and I freaked out a little before the race worrying about completing the race and how long it would take me to finish. Here I am again worrying about if I will complete it and how long it will take. I also have the added pressure of the Superkids being there to witness their father's thrill of victory or agony of defeat.

I wanted to run this specific marathon so the Superkids would be there to see the importance of setting goals, eating healthy, exercising and competing in sports. Last year my wife was there and I'm really excited to have my entire family there as I cross the finish line. I know I will cross the finish line. The question will be whether I will be running, limping, crawling or dragging one leg behind me begging for it all to end. I hope I will be still running with a huge smile on my face as I see my wonderful family waiting to celebrate with me as I cross the line.