Marathon training day 1…

I made up my mind this morning that I was just going to do it. No more thinking about it or wondering if my knees could take it. No wondering if I was just too old and fat to even try to get back into marathon training. I had done so much damage to my body the first time around and the stress that I put myself through the past eight years really took a toll on my health. Was the damage already too permanent? Could I really reverse my Type 2 Diabetes? Could I really pull myself off the medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and the diabetes? I was able to reverse it before, but that was almost a decade and two children ago (#5 and #6). I had also put my body through severe bouts of stress induced by 8 yrs of living in a world of what I now call horror. The traumas that I had survived were not only emotionally draining but they had actually done physical damage and left me with such poor health. As I spent the night thinking through all of these thoughts, one word stood out… SURVIVED. I had survived. I was no longer a victim. No longer ashamed or felt guilt for the decisions that I made (or had to make). I was a SURVIVOR and that is WHY it was time. It was time today to start my road back to me, to reclaiming my power. I was already well on the road to spiritual and mental well-being, now it was just about allowing my body to do what it needed to do to heal itself. This was about finding the joy only a runner’s high can give. The life breath back into a soul that had been damaged and forgotten. And so, I got myself up and started devising my plan as I got dressed for my first run of the week. I didn’t think to long about what I wanted to do, I just did it. First, I would start with coffee and something small to eat to help fuel my run. Next, I pulled out my bible and journal. Every morning should include a time for prayer and/or meditation. I need this to help me stay centered and focused. Second, I pulled out my phone and Googled my new marathon training plan. I downloaded a marathon training app, selected the race I would be training for, and off I went. My first race will be the BMW Dallas Marathon in December. This would give me plenty of time to get ready. It was also the first marathon I ran in 2010, so what better way to start then from the beginning. I had already started running about six months ago but hadn’t been really serious about keeping up with my miles or any type of training. I had a base, which was good, now it was just time to build on that. Within seconds, I was out the door to run my scheduled 3 miles at a recommended pace of 11 mm. I adjusted my run:walk ratio to 4:1 min and hit the road. I was paying close attention to my breathing, stride, posture, my arms and hands. listening to all my body had to say. My legs were heavy, my knees still felt a bit stiff but I felt good! I did it. I completed my 3 miles at an average pace of 11:39 mm. Day 1 training done! My schedule had me running Tuesday – Thursday with my long run on Sunday. Monday and Friday would be my rest days. So what did I learn from this run? I need new running shoes. I think this may be the main culprit in my legs feeling so heavy. The low dollar Asics I purchased about 4 months ago were not helping me. I am seriously thinking about returning to my Vibrams rather than purchase another pair of running shoes. This will be my first world problem of the week, scheduling a shoe run for Friday.