Let's Go

Let's go
Make no excuses now
I'm talking here and now
I'm talking here and now
Let's go

I decided that I needed a goal for my 5th marathon in my 5th state.  Since by now I've made it clear that I like corny slogans to repeat to myself when the going gets tough, I decided I needed one of those too.

Fittingly, last week was my two-year anniversary of being declared cancer-free after my surgery and radioactive iodine treatment.  It was last year that my first scan showed up stone cold normal.

It was this year that I also decided that I needed to reinvent myself again.  Remember MAJsicle 2012?

It's not about what you've done, it's about what you're doing

So I was sitting at my desk, looking at my medals from the previous 9 half marathons and previous 4 marathons.  I thought back to 2006, when I did my first half and said I'd never do a full.  I thought back to 2007, when I didn't take my medication before Philly because I had no clue I'd be out there for 6 hours and 48 minutes.  I thought about how I used to die thinking about doing a sprint tri in under 2 hours and now I'm looking to break 1, possibly as soon as next year.

It's all about where you're going, no matter where you've been

And I looked up at the medal hanger.

It says I RUN THESE TOWNS

Let's go
There ain't no better time
I'm talking here and now
I'm talking here and now

Suddenly I get this vision of myself crossing my 5th finish line of my 5th marathon in my 5th state.  (Hey, I'm no wacko, the pros practice visualization ALL THE TIME).

And then I hear *BIG ANNOUNCER VOICE* "HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA!!!!!  I run this town!!!!!"

Let's go

Why make a conservative goal for this race?  Back when I was sick all the time, I busted my ass to put in what training I could put in and still finish because it was the only thing that made me feel better. I hardly made my planned workouts, but the fact that those mystery illnesses were trying to stop me made me more determined to finish.

Right now is where you shine
I'm talking here and now
I'm talking here and now
Let's go

But now those days are gone.  Now I'm not sick all the time.  There is no pre-set limit.  Obviously, I get more tired and need more rest than the typical athlete.  Obviously, my swim and run are my weakest sports.

It's not about what you've done, it's about what you're doing

But now I'm in a position physically to put in more training.  And I'm definitely in a position to make each training session count.  Now I'm more determined to finish just because I WANT TO.

Let's go

My previous marathon PR is 5:35.  So I decided that I wanted to do my 5th marathon in my 5th state  in under 5 hours.

It's now or never
Let's go
Tomorrow's good, tonight is better

Yep, I am aware that a 35-minute PR is a bit ridiculous to expect.  And, honestly, it's not that I think I'll get THAT MUCH BETTER.  I just know where I've been.  And you know what they say - if you shoot for the moon and miss, you still land among the stars.

On that note, it's time for the week's short run.

After all, don't I RUN this town?

Let's go!

-Calvin Harris, Let's Go

WEEK 7 DAY 2: THE BLACKJACK RIDE & MARATHON CROSSOVER

Blackjack. You know, 21.

Miles, I mean. In the rain. On a road bike. With slicks. And aerobars. With floating contacts. In about an hour and forty minutes. Not fast, but not bad either. It was a productive night.
This morning's workout was a 4 mile run. Not so productive. Right leg was really sore. So I followed my "walk most of the first mile, less on consecutive miles, until you're running the entire final mile" plan. It went great after that, but still finished really slow.

Either I'm really committed, or I should be committed.

This is the last week before "Marathon Crossover," or the point where my distances on all my runs should be at least as great as the distances that will carry me into marathon training following the completion of my August tri. I've decided it might be wise to also consult a nutritionist. As soon as the new insurance kicks in, I'll also be working with a physical therapist on the foot/toe muscle shortage issue.

Tomorrow's workouts are a 2-3 mile repeat/interval run and a 1k openwater swim. I may do them together so I don't have to run home and work out at lunch, since tomorrow evening is occpuied.

I know everyone's tired of hearing me whine; frankly, so am I. I've let my health get me down for way too long. I've let my life get me down for way too long. I haven't been dealt an easy hand and it isn't going to get easier. But, from now on, there's nothing I can't conquer with a strong will and an open heart. It's guaranteed: when either one fails me, the other will be there to pick up the slack. And when I'm working both? Who knows what could happen.

Currently reading : Going Long: Training for Ironman-Distance Triathlons (Ultrafit Multisport Training Series) By Joe Friel Release date: March, 2003