The How.

Since Miranda gave you the run down on why we are taking this journey, I thought I would share with you exactly how we plan to accomplish the goal.

I'd like to preface this by reemphasizing the fact that we are NOT runners. We had absolutely no idea where to begin! Our first conversation about training went something like this:

"We should train for a marathon."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah"
"Actually, that's a good idea. I've always thought about doing something like that, but I can't run a mile let alone 26..."
"We need to do some research..."

After this I ran (to my car and drove) to the good ol' B&N and after some searching grabbed a book called The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais. Could there have been a better-suited book title for us? This inspired a little glimmer of hope. Clearly previously non-runner women had completed AND lived to tell about one of these things. Not only that, it's a great book. It covers everything from footwear fittings to food for runners and everything in between, all with a tinge of sarcastic humor. Once we get to a point where we are ready, we will begin using a variation on Dawn's half-marathon training guide.

After that, Miranda found an online training guide from a guy by the name of Hal Higdon. Hal is a world renowned runner, oldest and longest contributor to Runner's World magazine and has authored 35 books. This guy is the real thing. (Side Note: Dear God, please let me be like Hal Higdon when I'm old. Guy is 79 and still as active as ever.) As of right now, we are following a modified version of his "Training for Your First 10k" guide, and I must say, it's going pretty darn well!

Yesterday we went for our "3 mile" run, which was actually a 1.5 mile run followed by a 1 mile walk, a 1.5 mile run, and then another 1 mile walk. We were both really surprised at how much easier it was for us, and how far we'd come from the beginning stages (don't laugh, we didn't run before remember?). This awesome weather has been great for running too, so that has made it slightly easier on us!

After all of our research and from what we have heard from other people, we decided to take this one step at a time, by first training for a 5k (done), then a 10k, then a half marathon, then the Big Shabang (hopefully!!).  Your job, dear reader, is to keep us accountable for these big promises!

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." -- Anonymous 

-- MS