And it Begins!

This week begins marathon training! This is my first attempt to run a full; I'm a little nervous, but mostly just excited. Here is the schedule for training I'll be following:

Hal Higdon's Intermediate Plan

I like the look of the Hanson Method, too, especially because of the shorter weekday runs. But I don't know if I could do two back-to-back long runs on the weekends; I've never done a long run above 13 miles, so I'm not sure what I feel comfortable with yet.

I'm editing it a bit because of reality. My long runs will be done on Sundays because the marathon I'm running is on a Sunday, and I think the consistency will be helpful. I flipped my cross training days to Saturdays, but wonder if maybe I should just rotate everything so that cross is Monday and my rest is Tuesday. I'll see how I feel after the first week or two.

Because I have to be at work by 7:30 when school starts up again, I'm wary about fitting 8 mile runs into a weekday schedule. I could do two-a-days and run four in the morning and four after work, but I think I might just keep my longest weekday run at 6 miles. Again, we'll see.

Obviously I'm new to all this, so there will be some trial and error in the beginning. I want to find a plan that will work for me.

The marathon! So excited!

I know it's important to set multiple goals for something like this, so mine are: a) to put my full effort into the training and not slack off; b) to finish standing up and without injury; c) to finish under 6 hours.

(I know I shouldn't have a time goal but I couldn't help myself. And let's face it, under 6 hours isn't anything to write home about anyway.)

This will be the first time I've undertaken a big race on my own, without a training partner. Our local running store offers marathon coaching, so if I end up feeling lost I may go ahead and get a coach, but a big part of this is proving to myself that I can set a goal and go for it with only myself to motivate me.

I never fuel on runs, so I'm going to be looking into a fuel belt or vest and trying all kinds of methods for eating on the go.

This is going to be a long, crazy, life-changing journey...and I am SO ready!

What gear should I look into for my training?
What kind of fuel should I look into for during long runs?
What kind of cross-training do you prefer?
Have any random advice for me?
Wish me luck!

ABK