five miles

One thing I never thought was necessary on Saturday afternoons this past spring - no matter how long my training ride - was a nap.  This running thing is a whole different story.  I crawled out of the sack about a half-hour ago.  I didn't sleep at all, but it sure was nice just to lie down and close my eyes for an hour.  Man, I was cashed.

Today was my first run with the group and it went.... okay.  We did five miles - from Fletcher's Boathouse to the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and K Street and back.  I didn't make it the whole five, but I know I ran at least four.  And I finished in under an hour.  I'm not going to go around bragging about my performance at this point, but I'll take it.  For the next month or so, my goal is simply not to become discouraged.  Besides, I'm supposed to take it easy for the time being anyway.  It's a long season.  There will be opportunities later to discuss my time.  You know, once I can run five consecutive miles without stopping.

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Vanna
Far be it from me to cast aspersions on anyone doing anything related to physical exercise, so please don't interpret my comment as thus, but knowing what I know having witnessed Vrabel, a regular runner, attempt to get up to "speed" and distance for a HALF marathon, I am wondering if you have any, any clue about how (seemingly) unrealistic it may be for you to be able to run a WHOLE marathon within this training timeframe. And yes, I realize that's a run-on sentence. It seemed like the right thing.
hotrod
If your goal was to motivate me by making me want to spite you, well done. Consider me motivated. Moreso.
Vanna
No, not at all actually. I am genuinely a) concerned about your well-being; 2) curious to know how someone with your schedule trains for a marathon in this short timeframe; c) in doubt. But I am honestly thrilled to be proven wrong. I just really want to know details.
hotrod
Okay, that's all fair. So a) thank you; b) I see it less as a schedule adjustment than a lifestyle adjustment. I've already been sacrificing my Saturdays to training since February, and though I'll have to do more during the week, I could stand to be outside for an hour instead of watching TV or in front of the computer; c) you know I've drunk the Kool-Aid on Team In Training's cycle program, so I have faith that their marathon program will get me ready. They cater to novice runners, and they train a lot more marathoners than they do cyclists. I'm not saying this will be easy (it's not yoga, after all) and I'm not saying I'm going to set any records. But I have confidence that by the end of October I'll be ready for 26.2. Today, at least. Ask me again tomorrow and I might be freaking out all over again.

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