04/27/11: First run with long distance training group...OR...stepping outside my box

Last year in May I started training for my very first half marathon.

I did it all on my own.

Well...me and Hal Higdon's beginner half marathon training plan. :-)

I stuck as close to the plan as I could....and made adjustments when and where necessary. I ran the half, and completed it within 23 seconds of my goal time.

Success!

Now it's nearly May again, and I'm starting to train for my very first full marathon.

I pulled up good ol' Hal's full training plan and put it on my calendar.

And then I got an email from the local running club. They host a distance training program every year.

I have to admit...the long 16, 18, 20 mile long runs by myself are a little scary to me right now. Mainly, for a logistics point of view. I'll have to schedule the runs in loops, or multiple out and backs....so I can refill (or replace) my water bottles. Or, I'll need to schedule it with access to gas stations or public fountains (which are very unreliable). I'll also need to carry fuel, and I already feel retarded carrying around as much gear as I do now.....adding more fuel is going to make me look like a pack mule. :-)

(Yep, I'm a Capricorn.....we think about these things. AND, my dad was a Virgo....they are incredibly INSANE about these things!)

And, on top of it all, my sweet and loving hubby is more than slightly concerned for my safety when out on these long runs by myself.

So....I signed up for the training program.

They have a speaker come talk to the group every Wednesday evening, with a group run after. And then a long run on Sunday mornings.

Last week was the initial "this is what the program is about, sign here on the dotted line" meeting. And last night was the first official Wednesday speaker.

It was more of a "Running 101, here are the basics" type of thing....geared more for those that haven't run at all...but a refresher never hurts. He's mentioned the different people he has arranged for speaking as the program moves forward, and they sound interesting!

After the speaker, we set out on the group run.

Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I'm quite possibly the (initially) shyest person in the world.

Initially??

I mean, once someone talks to me, I'm all over it. But initiating the first encounter.....(gulp)....kills me. So I was beside myself with the number of people that just came up to me to chat. I ended up teaming up with one girl, in particular, to run with....but since it was a group run, there were other similar groups around us. Everyone was talking, laughing, and motivating each other.

I'm still, even though I know I shouldn't be, very self conscious of how slow I am compared to others. Also, probably the only one that uses run/walk intervals from the very beginning of the run. (which I didn't do last night) But I'll get over that eventually I'm sure! :-)

I was also surprised to find that she, like me, usually runs early in the morning. I think we're going to try and meet up to run before work sometime soon, and see how it works for us. Would be nice to run in a different place, and with someone....whether we're talking as we go, or just running along enjoying the morning...company could be fun!!!

(3.02 miles, 10:43 overall average pace)