First-Time Marathoner Takes on The Race to Boston

With my last undergrad semester approaching, a dietitian internship and a part-time job, many people think I am crazy for adding training for the Boston Marathon to my list.

 Little do they know the itch I get every Marathon Monday when I see my town fill to the brim with runners.

I get this indescribable jealousy or maybe it is envy of the runners. To say you ran 26.2 miles into Boston is such an admirable feat. Now, I am proud to say that I will be running the 2011 Boston Marathon for the Melanoma Foundation of New England.  

 See, I did not grow up as a runner, never was a track star, and do not have your typical runner’s physique. It took the passing of my father in 2006 to realize the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

 I started this process slowly, first walking on the treadmill and then progressed to intervals of running and walking. 

 When I could no longer afford a gym membership I took my training outside. I would run a mile or two. When my friends and I started running 5-Ks for charity I saw the fun and satisfaction of longer runs.

I found running to be a great outlet for my stressful life. Think about it: When else can you be alone, detached from cell phones, work, Internet, and e-mails? Once I fit running into my routine, I had this mentality of, “If I can do three miles I sure can do four.”

 That mentality progressed until I signed myself up for a half-marathon in October.

 Signing up for the half-marathon was a big step in my running and it was the end to my excuses for missing workouts.

 Every semester I would have all intentions of exercising but would use the excuse, “I have too much work,” to derail my efforts to be fit. When I signed up for the half marathon it made me accountable for my training.

 I had to make time for working out, and to my surprise I did have the time. Factoring running into my schedule actually made me more productive. Finishing my first half-marathon in 2 hours and 11 minutes was a huge accomplishment. I needed something new to strive for.

 Once a classmate expressed her goal of running the marathon I looked at her and said, “Let’s do it this year.”  Within a few days we applied and were accepted to Team Running for Cover.

 The support of training with a friend has made me more confident in achieving my goal. I also have the support of past and current marathon runners who thankfully do not hesitate to share their advice, which I hope to pass to you.

 I am starting to see why they say running Boston is the hardest marathon. It’s hard to train when it is pitch black at 4 p.m. and the sidewalks have a foot of snow!

 I welcome you to follow my journey of an ambitious, novice runner who is trying to tackle her first marathon!