theBobcast

Bob2 Runs a Marathon – Day 7

Hey again, Bob2 here with a marathon training update.  I started this blog topic on a whim, and notice now that I left out a couple details that may be worth knowing – I’m running the Grandma’s Marathon on June 19th in Duluth, MN (I’ve already registered, so if I fail at doing this thing, I’m not only disappointing BobcastNation, I’m also out the $85 registration fee.)  I’m also following Dick Beardsley’s “Novice” training plan.  For those who don’t know, Dick Beardsley is a badass local boy who kicked some major running butt in the 80s, and who, I think, still holds the record for the Grandma’s marathon.  Although, you know the drill – not hampered by the facts.

I put “novice” in quotes, because this “novice” training plan has been pretty intense – no doubt when he says novice, he means that you haven’t run a marathon distance before, not that you have know idea what you call it when you walk so fast that sometimes you don’t even have any feet on the ground.  Case in point: I just finished my first week of training with my first long run of 4 miles.  Seven days in and I’m expected to rip off 4 miles?  Woof.  Good thing I’m such a naturally gifted athlete.

Actually, I was laboring pretty heavy – the voice of reason (read: girlfriend) was out of town and a voice of overindulgence (read: Joe from Pittsburgh) was in.  Needless to say, with the help of a $174 pulltab jackpot, hockey, broomball, lacrosse and the vow to close down our old college stomping grounds, we didn’t exactly take it easy this weekend.  Lesson learned.

The good news is that tomorrow is Monday, which is soon to be my favorite day, as it has been blessed by Mr. Beardsley as my rest day!  I’m 19 miles in, 1.5 lbs lighter (before this glutenous weekend) and spirits are still high.  I am a little concerned, however, that I am a week into my training and have yet to run the same distance total as I’ll be expected to run in one race…

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