Tomorrow, I take on marathon #4.
I've been training for a 3:20 marathon which would qualify for the Boston Marathon. That's averaging 7:38/mile for 26.2 miles. (Yes, I know that KC is a TERRIBLE marathon to try to qualify for Boston there. It's way too hilly. That's ok. I had to shoot for something.) 🙂
Here's what I did in my first 3 marathons:
- 2002 KC Humana = 3:42:25 (8:29/mi)
- 2003 Columbia HOA = 3:51:00 (8:49/mi)
- 2005 KC Waddell = 3:57:01 (9:03/mi)
- 2008 KC Waddell = Who Knows???
After running for a while, I can guess these 10 things will happen tomorrow…
- I'll have a great time praying with Grace Runners at 6:30a (at 22nd & Grand)
- I'll struggle not to run my first miles TOO FAST (vs. 20 secs slow to warm up)
- My wife will be a ray of hope on the sideline every few miles (she's AWESOME!)
- I will be praying BIG TIME ("Dear God, help! HHHHHEEEELLLLLPPPP!!!")
- At some point I will swear I will NEVER do this again (all do at some point)
- My body will CRY OUT for me to give up on the HUGE uphill from mile 19-23
- When I finish, they'll want to escort my ashen-faced self to the Medi-Tent 🙂
- I'll be sick for several hours after (yes, LITERALLY feeling like I have the flu)
- I'll limp around for the next 2-3 days (and stairs will be a KILLER!)
- After a couple weeks, I'll think, "That wasn't SO bad! When's my next one?"
I'll let you know what happens!
Tim,
You are an inspiration to me, and I am stopping to pray for you right now. I have been changing my life habits and have lost some weight and gained energy over the past several weeks and feel great.
I am not much of a runner, but you are inspiring me to try and at least go for the short runs to better my health.
I know you will do great and will finish the race as God desires you to, so know that you have another wing man praying for you as you run.
For His Glory!
Doug
Have fun!
Hey! How’d you get that pic of my legs in your post?
Good luck with the race. I too said “I’ll never do this again!” And haven’t!