Marathon Training: Day 1

Today I’m starting my official training for the Bayshore Marathon on May 26th. I considered several different marathons. I started by wanting to do the Green Bay marathon, but I have other obligations that weekend. Then, I decided I wanted to do Grandma’s Marathon, in Duluth, Minnesota. I chose Bayshore over Grandma’s for several reasons: It’s 4 hours closer, it’s a maximum of 1,700 people versus 9,500 people, it’s $30 cheaper to enter, and it’s not over Father’s Day weekend. (It is, however, over Memorial day weekend)

I’m following Hal Higdon’s Intermediate 1 Training program. I might be too ambitious here, but I’m going to give it a try, anyway. I’m actually running a slightly modified version of that program. My special training program is also available.

My goal is to qualify for Boston. To do this, I need a time of 3:15:59. That equates to a 7 minute, 28.8 second mile. Or, about 8.02 miles per hour, for 26.2 miles.

I honestly don’t know if i can do it or not. I think I will be able to finish the marathon. Doing it in Boston-qualifying time is a very big unknown. Boston is next Spring. I am running a summer marathon so that, if I don’t qualify, I can run another marathon in the fall and still be in good shape for Boston next Spring.

I won’t be writing blog entries every day for the Marathon (I probably won’t write any, except for interesting events). I just wanted to get something up so that people know about it, which will give me great incentive to actually push myself as hard as possible. I mean, after all, since everyone knows about it, I have to do it, right?

Traverse City is supposed to be a beautiful place, and the marathon course is supposedly very nice as well. Here’s hoping they can give me a good first marathon experience!

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