As I stated in an earlier post, I’ve made a monumental, life-altering (this is a total joke) decision to attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I think a couple of things were wrong about that announcement.

1. I pretended (or believed) that I am an influencer with several thousand followers who were all losing sleep each night, tirelessly scrolling through my blog and waiting for me to announce that I would try to qualify for a race that 30,000 other people also run.
2. I imagined that after I made that major decision, my life would change, meaning that I’d replace every liquid with hydrating electrolyte mixes, purchase (or get sent) a lineup of running shoes for every purpose, and that I’d spend so much running that I’d debate quitting my corporate job.

The first thing I did when I got serious about my goal was hire a running coach. He came recommended to me by my old boss and mentor who is also a runner (and I love my coach). You can imagine my surprise when the first goal he added to my new, life-changing plan was to run a 5k race.

My jaw DROPPED. A 5k? Forget two a day workouts and electrolyte mixes, this was more like a plan that would require additional strength + cardio training less I actually have TOO much spare time!

I have been quickly proven wrong, as I’ve seen a lot more work goes into racing a fast 5k than I ever imagined. Running 40 miles, including two speed days and a long run more than 3x longer than the race itself proved to be a pleasant surprise.

My coach ensured me that the way to get faster was to work your way up in distance. A fast 5k would lead to a fast 10k, which would lead to a fast half and finally (hopefully) culminate in a fast-enough Boston qualifying time. This made complete and total sense to me, although I can’t say I would have ever thought of it myself. My game plan was to go out there and run myself silly until I shaved 45 minutes off my time. Looking back, that was kind of silly.

I’m now in the heat of 5k training, and it has presented new challenges in its own way. 5 x 5 minute intervals at 7:50 pace? Could NOT have been me this past January. Now, I’m huffing slightly less. I’ve been adding strength training into my regimen, and trying to condition myself to run in the somewhat abrasive afternoon heat.

The 5k is coming up in July, and I can’t wait to see how I do! I’ve been proud of my flexibility, and humbled by how little I know about the sport I spend so much of my time doing 😉

Until next time!