Let's Run!

Okay, it's about time. The San Francisco Marathon is July 25, 2010. It will be a tough course, hilly and scenic. Thousands of runners from all over will be there, and it will be the very last marathon I ever run. 26.2 miles is no joke, something my body and my tender Achilles can only take a few times in my life.

I want to run this one for several reasons. One, I have three daughters, and I want a marathon for each of them, and this is the 3rd one of my life. Two, I am a Vegan, and Pilipino. Vegan's are rare in this world. Marathoners are even more rare. And Pilipinos, of course, are amazing are rare. So to finish a marathon, being Vegan, being Pilipino is very rare indeed. And lastly, the last race I did run (San Jose Rock N Roll 2009), two runners died during that race. I'm dedicated this to them, to run for them.

It will take 19 weeks of training, starting in March. Running 3 days a week (a new plan this time, trying not to over train), doing lighter stuff, stretching, etc. for 3 other days a week. I pray for good weather, and for this unrelenting winter cold to calm down.

For me, the greatest part of all of this is the process itself. Planning your running schedule, building up, taking care of yourself throughout, balancing this endeavor with everyday life, going through the training process, and culminating in the race itself. When you cross that finish line, it's not just the race, it's not just the 26.2 miles, it's the entire process, it's running by yourself in solace at 3am, it's getting up and doing it again. It truly is a privilege and honor to even be able to do this.

Now, for everyone else who may not be crazy enough to run a full marathon (I don't recommend it for everyone), try something else. Start with a 5k (3.1 miles) walk, and train for it. Put together a plan for 6 weeks, build up, and accomplish that goal. Don't worry about finding time, being embarrassed, being lazy, or anything like that. Keep it simple. Find a 5k, put a plan together (For example, walk 3 days a week for 6 weeks, start with a 10 minute walk and build up). Google for 5k training plans, find one, and try it! Of course, check with your doctor, watch yourself carefully, take it very easy, and find a friend to do it with you and support you. I think you'll find the "process" amazing, and you'll reward yourself with an accomplishment beyond finishing the race.

And look, most people can walk at 20 min/mi. That's a fairly comfortable and easy pace, as long as you're not seriously injured. So you simply need to walk for 1 hour to finish the 5k! You can do that! Start slowly, walk 10 minutes first, then 15, then 20. The week after try 15, 20, 25. The week after try 20, 25, 30. The week after try 25, 30, 35. The week after try 30, 35, 40. And the final week try 35, 40, race! Rest in between, consider tapering off that last week. But, build up nice and slow like that, put together a calendar and plan and stick to it.

Now, stop reading. Get out a spreadsheet or pencil/paper. Find a 5k walk. Schedule and plan backwards from the 5k walk. And go do it!