Getting It Done – Countdown to Marathon – 2 Days and Counting…Preparation

aarmau@gmail.comSeptember 23, 2011getting_it_done

~ Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. ~

~ When you’re prepared, you’re more confident. When you have a strategy, you’re more comfortable. ~

~ The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. ~

I went back last night to look at my journey of training as I could not sleep after a very busy day of flag football, kid duty while Amanda was busy tutoring and running, then off to Lego Robotics practice, rushing home to host an online meeting with teachers from several countries, and then wrapping up all the loose ends of a busy day online. I was so tired I was not tired.

I decided that I wanted to see the overall picture of my journey bringing me to this moment of running a marathon. Despite my posts and training I still feel like I am not ready at times. With the tapering the last two weeks I almost feel out of shape as I have not been running as much. I know that is a normal feeling, but man it really messes with my mind.

Source: None via Aaron on Pinterest

I tallied my workouts and calculated what I have all done to get me to this point. I had to determine where to start the tracking. I decided to start with June 5th when I officially started the marathon training. I did not include the base training prior to this date or the several starts to training from February – May. June 5th was my day that I cemented my goal and training.

From June until today here is what I have been able to calculate

  • 83 hours of running of biking
  • 528 miles of running
  • 135 miles of biking
*I did not include the time spent lifting, stretching, icing, etc.
I have put in about 3.5 days of exercising with over 650 miles on the roads. Looking at these numbers it blows my mind. I almost cannot believe I have done this. From not being a runner ever until actually running last year to really focusing my mind these last four months I never thought this possible.
I have worn out one pair of Brooks Ravenna 2 and replaced them with another pair. I have endured all weather. I have endured the mental battles. I have endured. I have prepared. 
When you are prepared you know what you are able to accomplish. It is crazy to think that all of this training for one 26 mile race. When you look at these numbers it makes the race seem small. Now, 26 miles at once is no joke. I keep visualizing myself at mile 20 looking fresh and feeling good, but it is hard to visual beyond that point as I have not experienced that mileage before.
When I am out on the course Sunday and I hit those low points of doubt(any endurance event always brings the mental battle) I will remind myself of what I have endured to get to this point. I did not devote 3.5 days, 500+ miles to not endure. I prepared so I could finish. 
Preparation is the key for anything in life. It does not matter whether it is for a race or for your job or family. When you are prepared, then you know things will turn out. As they say now, the proof is in the pudding!

Leave a Reply