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Do I have the mettle to complete a marathon?

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MY TURN

Well I did it. I just printed the online receipt from the purchase of my first marathon. That's right, I just dropped $105 dollars to take a beating in a 26.2 mile challenge of the mind, body and soul.

This epic journey will begin Sunday Oct. 10 at the Mason Station Trailhead near Westwood on the Bizz Johnson Trail. I will be trying to hold my own against hundreds of other runners from all over the world in the popular event.

I hope I don't screw up and cause some major runner faux pas, causing a group of super strong 60-year-old New Zealand ultra marathoners to stampede my butt.

I have always wanted to run a marathon since I was a wee lad staring at the barefooted Kenyans on the television, scorching across Boston in world-record setting performances. Don't get me wrong, I am not going into this thing thinking I am going to set any records.

I would say my main focus is rested securely on surviving it. I am trying to envision 26.2 miles in a straight line. That is a long line.

I have been running, hiking, biking and eating somewhat right for a while now, but according to online articles about marathon preparation, it looks as though I need to spruce up my regimen.

The training schedule looks like the most important aspect of preparation with a gradual increase in mileage for 16 weeks with rest days in-between, eventually running a 20-miler and resting for a week prior to the big event.

First of all, for a person in my situation to find the block of time necessary to run so frequently and for so long is nearly impossible.

Lately I have been resorting to late night runs with the new family dog, day hikes with my 19-month old daughter on my back and bike rides towing her in a sweet hand me down bike trailer. (Thanks, Stan)

I would think a fully loaded jog stroller has to add some miles to a run. Perhaps they could revise the training schedule to include new formulas regarding jog strollers and bike trailers.

Diet is another factor that cannot be overlooked when considering marathon distances, carb loading, glycogen, energy gels and "hitting the wall" all came up in my research as important things to think about.

Your body initially starts burning glycogen until a transition period start, which is called "hitting the wall." When a runner hits the wall, his or her body switches from burning glycogen to burning body fat.

One way to avoid the wall all together is to eat during the run. After a little research I found that energy filled gels are a popular, lightweight way to replenish lost electrolytes. Another exciting bit of information I have found in my research is fanny packs are totally back in!

I was recently asked why I wanted to run a marathon. Every marathoner must have the answer to that question right? I thought mine at first was that the run would be even more difficult to accomplish after my wife and I have our second baby, yes we're expecting.

The answer for me however comes from my heart. It is telling me to run and that is just what I am going to do.



Copyright 2010 Lassen County Times, Susanville, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Lassen County Times Susanville, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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