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Matt,
In my neighborhood there are a few individuals who are real runners with the envious bodies and a stride that is a wonder to watch. When I, out of the blue, told these individuals that I was going to check off one of my life goals to run a marathon I got muted encouragement and that ya right look along with the tilted head smirk. You know that smug tell-us-another-one expressions that can deflate a blimp.
In a way I can understand what they where thinking, when I started running I was 245lbs, with a body shaped more for wrestling than runner. Still I was at least 45lbs overweight, had not run for 22 years
since high school cross country
and I live in Louisiana where I would be training in 80F+ for most of my marathon prep.
Well to make a very long story short, I ran my first Marathon this year, Disney world, and came in around the 5300th out of 12000, which for me was a huge accomplishment. Over the year of training, I lost 30lbs, learned more about my body than anyone has a right to know, discovered more about myself than I thought I would, and received more admiration from my peers, family, and neighbors than I deserve.
Prepping for and running a marathon is a very personal thing. You have to make up your mind that this is one of those life goals you wish to achieve, pick a marathon that is far out enough to allow yourself time to train, book it (there is nothing like laying out some cash to make it all too real), set a goal just to finish your first marathon, and enjoy all the changes your body will go through. Expect the first few months to be though. Expect that you will have some setbacks as you learn how far/fast to push yourself. Expect to see wonder, surprise, questioning looks from your neighbors and friends as you complete you first long run
..one of the most satisfying moments for me was when my sons karate instructor (an x-marine) asked me if I was alright after he saw me walking stiffly and I nonchalantly told him that I just completed my first 10 miler that morning in prep for my first marathon
his look of admiration was heart warming.
Oh and those real runner neighbors, well when I ran into them after the marathon and they asked me how the run was, no that was not what they asked me, actually it was did you finish the run, the look of shock when I stated I completed it and have the Mickey Medal proudly displayed on my wall
..was priceless!!!
So dont listen to those real runners who do not have the ability to see past their own Rebooks and just get out there and prove them wrong. We are all here to help.
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