One step, and then Another

Hi.

So as you may have noticed, I've had a bit of a long break in February - a hiatus if you will... but really I had yet again been bitten by the procrastination bug. So it's actually quite exciting that I have finally gotten a dent into the plethora of posts accumulating in my drafted posts.

It seems like I've been caught up in a hum drum routine and with a commute to and from home, nothing too exciting has been going on. Although, there have been a few things going on in my life that aren't necessarily just for kicks - like how I finally took the initiative and made up my mind to make the endeavor, the Herculean challenge, of completing the Pittsburgh Half Marathon.

Frankly, if left to my own devices I would have never considered the half marathon - let alone acknowledge its existence. The fact that I even know when it happens is really due to my mother.

Over the past two years, my mother trained for the months ahead of time and completed the Pittsburgh half marathon. The first year she sought out a trainer to help her, and the second she managed to do the entire thing on her own (and in the rain too!). I am extremely proud of her accomplishment, telling one and all who really did the marathon when I wear the shirt she got me.

Unfortunately, due to back issues, she can no longer push her body's endurance to participate this year. This, coupled with the fact that I'm home for the first time since she knew about the half marathon, is probably the reason I found myself ambushed at the changing of years (somewhere around December 29th I believe). Almost every other day she would tell me to register for the marathon. "You should do it!" - "It'll make you feel good." - these among other lines were used to try and pull me into the marathon. Eventually, due to my reluctance the attempts to lure me in declined into oblivion.

Rewinding back, during one of her earlier attempts at convincing me, my friend Yoshi had been over to plan out our New Year's Eve festivities. Despite the fact that neither of us planned on registering for the event, we had managed to both come to the same conclusion. I wouldn't sign up for the marathon unless he signed up with me, and he would never register unless I had signed up too. Essentially, unless one of us stood up and registered (i.e. me) neither of us were planning on doing so - in a sense, a positive feedback loop triggered by a catalyst (the standing up factor).

It was somewhere around the first or second week of February that I took advantage of said feedback loop.

I don't quite remember exactly how I came to the conclusion (due to the amount of time that has taken place between said event and my current posting) but I most definitely decided that I should do this marathon thing. The fact that I'd have a partner to suffer through this with definitely was a promoter, but I do recall there being some other influence. Something that said, "Hey, why not?" and I took it and plunged right into the fray. Sure post-registration I realized that with training, I could get in shape and I'd be nice and fit when I decided to visit my friends back at college. And I realized that I'd get to feel accomplished after completing the 13 miles on foot. And collecting the little goodies that they hand out to the participants would be awesome.

But none of that really occurred to me as I was signing up. I really just remember a flurry of excitement and the almost immediate registration. After driving home from a class I think I might have started thinking I could do this marathon thing, and in the flurry of the hour before midnight, I had looped in Yoshi and registered for the marathon (the late night hours didn't please my mother in the least - but she was glad I finally decided).

I know that my mother, though frustrated that I hadn't signed up a month earlier as she suggested, was glad I finally came to the decision myself. When it comes down to it, if the decision to do something has been made from my end, I tend to put a lot more willing effort into accomplishing my goal - because it is a conclusion I believe will be good for me. I know that when others suggest ideas they can be beneficial to you. But until you reach the same conclusion and can motivate yourself to follow that path, nothing can make you put your 120% into the effort.

Which is why, once I decided to go ahead with my plan, my mother pulled out the stops and decided hand down all advice her previous experiences had given her. It started with meeting her old trainer to ask for a training schedule to follow. Then, drilling into my head just how important hydrating before exercising was vital.

As I started to train, there were many things I began to realize about the rigors of marathon training. YOUR FEET WILL DIE. Ok, I lie, but you do understand the importance of such wonders as non-chafing socks - and the proper shoes. But those aren't the only things. You also need the proper clothing and gear to complete this test of endurance: like chafing sticks (similar to deodorant sticks) for where your legs and arms rub against your body or the massages your mother has booked for when I start walking for more than 1.5-2 hours at a time (which is coming up in about a week).

I also have figured out a few things I need for myself when I train. I have zero running endurance. It's a fact. I can sit in aramandi for an entire hour in a dance item or shoot off sprints for when I play tennis. But running for more than 15-20 minutes? Yeah, winded doesn't even describe what I look like. This is of course why I will be part of the walkers in this half marathon (granted there will be intermittent jogging but that's as fast as it gets).

It is also crucial for me to have a song that sets my pace. Ideally, I have my iPod and I can play the song on repeat for however long I need (this is one of those times at which I appreciate that I can listen to a single song again and again and again and again... you get the idea). This has a dual purpose. It also prevents me from listening to my own breathing - especially when it becomes strained due to the "wonderfully" cold air we are currently experiencing. When you breathing passages feel dried out and a metallic taste begins to linger in the back of your throat... it's really not very pleasant. So the sounds of music happily drown out said noises.

But of course, using my iPod reminds me that I have no easy way of carrying it unless I have a pocket of some sort while exercising. Which means I should hurry up and get an exercise case already. I know, I know... I'll do it soon... which I should actually be doing now... sigh...

Which brings me to another point. When you don't have the right gear and you don't stretch and you don't take care of yourself you get to experience wonderfully painful things like shin-splints. I have never in my life understood what people were going through when they described them. And I was happy standing from afar, slapping an expression of understanding on my face, and nodding in acted sympathy. Would there be any chance of returning to said point? Well, I guess not...

The half marathon is 13 miles traversing the ups and downs of Pittsburgh's hilly terrain. And it's considered one of the most grueling marathons in this country - really it's because of the ups and downs - makes you love Pittsburgh doesn't it? (note the sarcasm please ^_^). But really, I feel super excited that I'm going to be doing this. At times, especially days when I don't train at all, I get nervous. Thoughts like what if I can't get to a 13min/mile pace? or will they let me participate with my iPod? plague me. Sure some of them are legit, and some aren't but with only 69 days left till the final shindig, it seems a bit overwhelming.

But when I am training, maybe it's the adrenaline and endorphin, I think I can do it - I think I can and I think I will ^_^.


In the end, if it doesn't kill me, it sure as hell will make me stronger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEZDP_NVklc

(and yes it is another Kelly Clarkson song... what can I say? I'm in the mood for some Kelly. It's on my marathon playlist ^_^.)