It was bound to happen that I would post something about running, considering that I have been running over 40 miles per week for the past 2 or so weeks. This weekend is supposed to get up to 70 so I might take a break from strength training and (1) take advantage of awesome running despite what my feet may tell me (they haven't been hurting from 40 miles surprisingly) and (2) take advantage of some needed "natural tanning". Although I'm Asian, the the latter will help me looking EVEN MORE Asian. Just kidding. It'll at least revert me back to my natural colors and not this whatever color I am now due to the lack of sunshine in Pullman.
I've been thinking about running a marathon. I mean it only seems logical now that I've run 5 or 6 half-marathons.
Okay, I'll make sure and drink plenty of water ... maybe not as much water as the blubber guy above. Lol.
But from what I've heard, the marathon is whole 'nother beast. Here are a few differences I've come across from my readings online:
1. Distance. Obviously. Half is 13.1 miles, while full is 26.2 miles.
2. Mile time. This is an issue for me. 13.1 miles is perfect for keeping a 7 minute or 8 minute mile pace. I see people with those fancy Garmin watches and calculate their mile times, but my body internally knows how fast it is going and I just go. I don't think I would be able to sustain a 7 minute mile for 26.2 miles. While that is the Boston Marathon qualifying time, I don't think I'm quite ready for that. So I would need to train my body to run longer distances at longer paces ... which I don't know if I can do ... but that's why it's calling training, right?
3. Training. Nice transition. The training time is also quite longer for a marathon, from what I've seen. While most training plans only have one long run on the weekends and shorter runs during the week, I just like doing 8+ miles 4 times a week. So I would have to change that. BUT it's so difficult for me to NOT run more than 4 miles when I get out there.
4. Cost. Marathons are more expensive. I never understood this. It's like, oh, I'm paying more to RUN MORE on public sidewalks/paths? I mean from the races I've been in, we all the get same medal, tech shirt, and freebies at the end. Sure their medal/shirt may say "marathon" ... but really?
Despite these differences, there is one similarity: the feeling of great accomplishment.
One of the main reasons I run is that I feel good after running 8+ miles in the morning right after I wake up. It's a sense of accomplishment at the onset of the day, which helps fuel the rest of my workday. Otherwise, I don't think I could continue on without that run/workout. In addition to feeling great, you'll look great. In a society that is very visual, aesthetics is important. Not only that, running is YOUR time. Research, meetings, phone callings, etc can't bother you. Unless they can catch up! Ha! It's a time to just have your brain on auto-pilot not thinking about the
crazy world with background music (for me, usually Lady Gaga, hehe).
So if I become a marathon-runner, I'll probably look like the guy on the left in the photo below. Lol. OH BOY.
I'm running the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon on June 25th, so we'll see how that goes. I'm already thinking about running a few races in Germany, such as the Cologne Marathon. We'll have to play it by ear!
While I've read that runners can't just eat whatever they want, I think that's a lie. The good thing about running is I mostly eat whatever I want and after a marathon, I think I might want to gorge myself on chocolate-y goodness.
