Semper Fi

Well, it's official. Earlier this evening I registered for the 34th Marine Corps Marathon on October 25, 2009. I'm excited, but a little anxious as well. It has now been almost three years since my last marathon and my last couple attempts at coming back/training haven't gone particularly well.

I really want this time to be different. The good thing is that I'm 100% healthy right now and I have 14 weeks to build up a good mileage base prior to the start of marathon training on July 6th. So I definitely feel like this is my opportunity to do it right, put everything together and have a good race in October. I would love to shoot for another PR either at the MCM or in Harrisburg two weeks later, but I will really be satisfied with running both of them and feeling good doing it.

I know that there are a couple of keys to having more successful training this time around. I need to be more disciplined about getting my workouts done before the days get too hot. I can't go out for a long run at noon in July. It's just a recipe for disaster. I also need to be sure that I am eating right and getting extra carbs the day before long runs along with some additional protein throughout my training to assist with muscle and tissue repair. Finally, I need to make sure that I am getting enough sleep. This has been a big obstacle for me in the past. Subsisting on five or six hours of sleep a night just doesn't work for me anymore.

Overall, I feel really good right now. I have been lifting weights pretty consistently for the past year and I am probably stronger now than I have ever been in the past. I have also done enough cardio between running and walking to stay in half-decent shape. As I increase my running mileage, I know that I'll see a steady gain there. It definitely seems like now is a good time to get back to serious training.