Conquering the Giant

This morning, I braved the cold weather and dark skies, and went for a run. During my post workout shower, it hit me that today I ran farther than I've ever run before. 

I feel invincible. 

Challenges ahead.

As I mentioned recently, Matt ran a marathon today. For those of you who don't quite know what a marathon means... it's 26.2 outrageous miles.

I also mentioned that Matt hadn't done any training. It was actually kind of irritating. I mean, who does he think he is... people train for a long time for these things. But...he just thought he could do it for fun?

Well, he finished.  In five and a half hours...

If you don't understand the significance of that... just know that it is pretty embarrassing for him.

On top of the fact that his time royally sucked... he walked the last 5 miles and hobbled across the finish line.

We were there for a long time waiting... and I saw tons of people finish before him... and not one of them walked.

It was kind of gratifying to see him fail. Not because I like seeing people fail. Trust me, if he would have prepared even a little bit, I would have been cheering him on. But, I think that he needed that shot to his ego. He thought he would be passing all of the women... fail. He thought he would do better than the elderly...bigger fail.

As you can tell... I frown upon entitlement.

Anyway... while waiting for Matt to finish, Charlotte and I decided that we want to run in the race next year. Not the Marathon... oh no... not the marathon. But, at the same time, there is also a half-marathon  and a 10k. So, I think either would be an obtainable goal.

Charlotte also informed me that, this December there is a 5k that she always participates in. So... I think I'm going to do it.

Here is the deal... I have two options. I can walk it... run it...or do a combination of the two.

I want the challenge of running it. But, I'm not sure that 6 weeks is enough time to prepare... actually I know it isn't.

So, I'm thinking, that if I could run half of it, and walk the rest... that would be pretty cool. Right?

...I need to make a training school. I don't wan't to embarrass myself... like other people around here do!

So, on Sunday, our little family is making it's way to Raleigh, to watch Matt run in his first marathon. Cool right?

Here is the thing. Most people train for months to run a marathon...years even. Matt, on the other hand, just decided (about three days ago) that this weekend he was going to crank out 26.2 miles without even training. Don't get me wrong, he has been doing a lot of preparation in the form of carb loading. Tonight he ate a whole pizza by himself. I looked at him and thought, "I could train for a marathon."

Although I fear the outcome of this bizarre test he is putting himself through, I have to say, it is a little inspiring. 

I recently started running. 

Despite the fear that I've already blogged about this story, I think it is important (?) that I share my experience? 

Okay, Okay...nobody cares, but it is a funny story. 

A few weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to start running. So, I did what every legit runner does, and I downloaded a couch to 5k program on my ipod. (Note the sarcasm!) It was going pretty well, every day I was getting a little better, and I was learning just how many muscles were involved in running. 

But then disaster struck. 

One night, I was going for my evening run, and between runs (2 minutes on 1 minute off) my knees just started hurting. The farther I walked the more they started to hurt. At that point, I was probably a mile away from home, and I seriously thought that I might pass out, or throw up....or die.

Okay, that is a little dramatic, but it hurt really, really bad. 

By the time I hobbled home, I sad on the couch, and my knee were horrifically swollen. 

So, I decided that I would take a break from running. 

Since then, I've learned how bad running on pavement is for your knees, and I've researched some proper running techniques. I know a lot of people run on treadmills, but that just isn't for me. I get to bored, and I like a challenge.

So, Wednesday night, before trick or treat, I wen't on my first run since my bad experience. Although I'm definitely in better shape than I was a few months ago, running was just as difficult as it was the very first time... which was disappointing. 

Next year, I hope to participate in a couple of 5ks. My best friend and I are looking for a fun Mud Run to sign up for, and there is a 5k for Arthritis (which my mom suffers from), that I would love to participate in at the end of next year. 

I have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the journey! 

Make sure to send Matt some good vibes for Sunday! He is going to need all the help he can get!