First Day of Training for Half Marathon

Thu 12:16am

Today was the first day of our training for the half marathon that I will be running in May. We met up with the team at Lake Calhoun. I met for the first time Coach Kelly, Coordinator Kristen, and my mentor Mark. Although the thermometer said it was 18 degrees, with the windchill it was definitely colder than that!

This being my first real run, it came as kinda a shock to hear that we'd be running 5 miles. The rest of the team started meeting twice a week about 2 weeks ago. Jeni and I just signed up last Wednesday, and I was out of town all weekend, so today was the first day we were able to go to a team training.We started off on the run, and my mentor Mark ran with me. They assign all the runners with mentors - i.e. other runners who have run the marathon before and are there to answer our questions, etc. I'm glad he chose to run with me, as it was extra motivating to have someone there who didn't quite realize just how little running I've done.

Let's see - what running have I done up to this point? Well, last week I started a beginner's running program. I ran twice on the treadmill, following the program of running 1 minute, walking 2 minutes, repeat 10x. That's it. Since HIGH SCHOOL.

The run started off really well, except my hands were absolutely freezing. I was SURE I would lose fingers by the end of the 5 miles. At last, about halfway around the lake, I suddenly realized my fingers were finally warm. If that isn't bliss, I don't know what is. Then Coach Kelly showed up to tell Jeni and I that we were to run just 3 miles, it being our first day. At that point I was feeling really good and thought I might just be able to go the 5 miles, but who am I to argue?

I'm happy to report that I ran just about all the 3 miles around the lake. I only stopped running to walk twice for one minute each, which I thought was pretty darn good since I don't even know if I've ever run 3 miles. Everything felt great, even though I couldn't figure out what was going on with my right eye. It either started freezing or twitching about 3/4 of the way around the lake. By the time I reached the end of the 3 miles, yes, I was ready to be done. I could have walked the extra 2 miles I suppose, but I didn't want to overdo it the first day out. But I felt great. I am proud of how I did, and it is fun to be part of a team again - it's been so long since I played sports.

The night didn't end on a high note, unfortunately. As some of you know from my OMFG status, after I returned home from my personal triumph, our 9 month old dog Henry chewed a big ol' hole in my brand new running shoes. Well, I guess I got to wear them once. And they were really comfortable.

Next group training is Saturday morning at 8:00 am. Those of you who know me well know that that is mighty early for me! But I'm looking forward to it. I have some cross training to do between now and then.

Thanks for all your support, both in words and in deeds. With your help, I've raised $425 in the 7 days since I started. "Only" $3,375 to go! :)SAN DIEGO HERE WE COME!To support me, but more importantly, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit my fundraising page at:http://pages.teamintraining.org/mn/rnr09/maleej