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What better way to see our nation's capital than on foot? 26.2 miles, through Rosslyn, across the Potomac River, through Georgetown, down the National Mall, across the Potomac again, past the Pentagon and to the finish line.
At this point in time, I've finished four half marathons and a 25k. That experience helped me to pick a training plan that fits where I am now and what I want to accomplish. Hal Higdon Novice 2. Hal, don't fail me, buddy! Last week I began week one (of 18) of training, a plan that has me running four days a week, gradually increasing distance through the end of September, at which point I begin tapering to rest for the race. But preparing for a distance race isn't only about the physical training, but also the mental and emotional preparation that you go through to get you through the literal and proverbial finish line.
I'm not just a one-trick-pony and also have a regular yoga practice. I begin each practice by setting an intention, what I want to accomplish during my time on my mat, whether it's finding peace, strength, relaxation, focus, etc. I decided each week of my marathon training would have an intention, something I would focus on and give special meaning to my week's practice.
Week One: Letting Go.
Running recap:
- Tuesday / 3 miles / Interval Training
- Wednesday / 5 miles / Pace Run
- Thursday / 3 miles / Trail Run
- Saturday / 8 miles / Long Run
- Sunday / Cross Train / Bike 1 hour
I recently attended a Good Form Running clinic and following the demoralizing experience of watching myself run on a giant screen in front of a room of strangers, I decided to start with the first tenet of GFR, which is posture. I noticed while I run I grasp my fists so tightly I frequently lose sensation in my fingers and shoulders and end up with a death grip neck spasm. In GFR, we learned to run with our arms relaxed, bent at the elbows and our hands lightly grasped as though one is holding a potato chip that you want to save to eat later. Did someone say potato? They had my attention!
Through my runs, and during other quiet time this week, my intention of letting go has bubbled to the surface with some other areas in my life. Sometimes we hold so tightly to things that just are no longer serving us, that we end up cramped and in a life-stifling death grip on the way things used to be. It's time to start letting those things go. If only it all was as easy as just holding an imaginary potato chip for an eight mile run!
Week Two's intention : Trust
Dreamer-Schemers Unite!
