Day 86 (1/17): 3 miles / 26:53

So, it's officially the first day of Marathon Training... a very scary thought.  You see, I've gotten pretty darn good at starting things... and really good at telling people about them... haven't always been the best at following through.  I found it easy to tell friends and family that I was running a marathon this year.  It occurs to me now, however, that there are a few things to consider with the official start of my training... I can no longer tell people that I will start training in January, because January is here.  I can no longer explain that I'm planning to follow an 18 week training program and that, for now, I'm just doing a little base training, because base training is over and it's time to get serious.  I can no longer simply tell people what I'm planning to do, because it's time to start showing them.

Don't get me wrong - since the very moment this idea came to my mind, I have had every intention of following through.  This was never something I was just going to talk about.  The problem is that I no longer have time to talk about it... it's time get this plan in motion.  I'm officially training for a marathon.  Wow!

As far as my run was concerned, I put on some headphones, jumped on the treadmill and ran it as fast as I could.  I really wanted to get an idea of where my fitness level was at the start of training so I could better track my progress.  While I do believe I would have run faster outdoors, it was, unfortunately, not an option with the man of the house out of town for work. 

And here's where my struggle begins... as I sit here to write, I find there's a mini tennis match happening somewhere back behind my eyeballs... that I can't decide how I feel about today's run.  Initially, I think: sure, it wasn't my fastest 3 miles, but I'm comfortable with where I am right now.  An 8:58 pace is pretty darn good.  Then it occurs to me that, if I'm being completely honest with myself, I was really hoping I could have run it faster.  Then a third thought comes to mind... "Could I have run it faster?"  That's a stupid question... of course I could... in a race, with people around me, an actual finish line... who really has the ability to give 100% on a treadmill?  It's the reason most treadmills become overflow closet space... it's boring and monotonous and hard to stay motivated.

So, here's where I'm at... I truly did push myself and feel that I got in a good workout, but I know I can go faster.  This is the beginning of my training and I look forward to my times improving from this point forward.  And, of course, I'm planning to get myself outdoors to run every chance I get... because I'm bound and determined to keep my treadmill from becoming an extra closet.

And I look forward to seeing where I end up in 18 weeks.  As far as this new chapter in my life is concerned, I'm nervous, excited and anxious all at the same time... but I think I'm mostly excited... or maybe nervous... no, definitely excited...

P.S. - In addition to being my first day of training, it seemed as good a time as any to call it quits on the smoking... so it is also my first day without a cigarette and, thus far, seems to be going better than I would have expected.  Hopefully, if I manage to get through the next 18 weeks without one, maybe I'll be able to make it a permanent change after all.