In Process
I'm training for my first (and only?) marathon, and it's Week 5 of the 16 week plan that I'm following. So do I say I'm "in training Week 5" (sounds a little like being "in rehab") or "on Week 5"? Preposition confusion aside, the point is that my first marathon is on the horizon and I'm trying to prepare to successfully finish it. (Defining "success" could be a whole separate post, but for now let's go with "crossing the finish line under my own power and not in an emergency vehicle").
I feel Week 5 is significant and worthy of a blog post because a) I have a little free time to indulge in writing and reflecting and drinking at the same time and b) this is the first week of training that has really felt like "Training" (yes, in bold with a capital "T") and not my normal life.
Up until now, my training plan has been all about building a basic ability to be able to run slowly for a moderate amount of time, which has been my approach to running for years. Last week my goal was to run for a total of 315 minutes over the course of the whole week, which is just about exactly what I normally run in a week (weather permitting). One of the main reasons I decided to even attempt this marathon thing is I've been running a fair amount for years and have a good base to build on.
Starting this week the total goal of running time goes up. Actually, only by 15 minutes, but the approach is quite different than my normal way of running. I've always spread my running out over several days, but for marathon training, the running is more concentrated in longer runs (this week ends with a 2 hour run).
Running talk aside (and I'm trying to write shorter, more focused posts and to dole out my topics) this is cool lesson in how it's not always about what you do but how you do it and why.
I'm also really starting to see there is value to "The Process." While the Finish Line is clearly the goal, the marathon itself is "only" a roughly 4.5 hour experience. These weeks and weeks leading up to it are pretty important and challenging and amazing all on their own. I frequently get lost in results and performance (meaning, getting attention) so I'm hoping this will help me have more appreciation for the process in other parts of my life, such as theater rehearsal and band practice.
And thankfully, I have this blog and Facebook to get some attention...or at least send out a cry for it... while I'm in process.
I feel Week 5 is significant and worthy of a blog post because a) I have a little free time to indulge in writing and reflecting and drinking at the same time and b) this is the first week of training that has really felt like "Training" (yes, in bold with a capital "T") and not my normal life.
Up until now, my training plan has been all about building a basic ability to be able to run slowly for a moderate amount of time, which has been my approach to running for years. Last week my goal was to run for a total of 315 minutes over the course of the whole week, which is just about exactly what I normally run in a week (weather permitting). One of the main reasons I decided to even attempt this marathon thing is I've been running a fair amount for years and have a good base to build on.
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| But what a delicious way to go! |
Running talk aside (and I'm trying to write shorter, more focused posts and to dole out my topics) this is cool lesson in how it's not always about what you do but how you do it and why.
I'm also really starting to see there is value to "The Process." While the Finish Line is clearly the goal, the marathon itself is "only" a roughly 4.5 hour experience. These weeks and weeks leading up to it are pretty important and challenging and amazing all on their own. I frequently get lost in results and performance (meaning, getting attention) so I'm hoping this will help me have more appreciation for the process in other parts of my life, such as theater rehearsal and band practice.
And thankfully, I have this blog and Facebook to get some attention...or at least send out a cry for it... while I'm in process.
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