ING Georgia

Yes, it is official, I am doing another marathon at the end of March.  I didn't tell a lot of people that I was because most already think I am a little obsessive not to mention that little cramping problem I had last marathon.  But plans for this one are a lot different.  It is a hilly course, not to mention I have 11 weeks between the two marathons.  So this time I plan to take it easy.  I want to finish in around 3:50 or 3:45.  No obsessive checking of the watch, no worry about pace, no fear of a bad time.  I will run the speed that the terrain lets me.

I think doing the ING is a good idea for a number of reasons.  First of all, I think doing more than one marathon a year will put less pressure on each event.  I want to finally get a time I think I am capable of, but I keep going for it and crashing and burning.  That might have more to do with the weather and my hydration than my skill, but then again maybe it doesn't.  I need to make some progressively better times rather than going for one huge improvement.  Also, I enjoy the structure of training.  I know I am healthier and thinner then when I am not running and having a plan keeps me running.  Do I want some time off from serious training?  Sure.  Is the timing a little close for comfort?  Sure.  But then again, everyone else is getting active still fresh off of their New Years resolutions; so why not now.

So with that said, I am following a plan tailor made for my situation (so obviously others are this obsessive), Pete Pfitzingers' 2 marathons with 10 weeks between them.  I actually had 11, but I took the first week off; see I can rest.  I'm in week 2 and I'm a little less motivated than I was in week 2 last time, but that fits with my plan too.  The biggest difference for this marathon is that I am going to have to run some hills.  I have such a great place to run near my house that it is hard to want to go elsewhere.  The problem with that is, nearly everywhere in Atlanta has hills, except where I run.  Sure there are a few on the way to and from the trail, but not enough to consider it hill training.  So, I will have to run some hilly areas in the next few weeks and maybe the variety will help spice things up.

So soon everyone will begging to hear about my running again as I complain or brag.  But the difference is, I will hopefully talk less about times.  Let's see if this plan works a little better.