Today was an easy 4.5 miles, nothing special or unique about it at all. I ran a normal route through my suburban neighborhood, past the pond just around the corner from my house, through construction of new houses, the pool that Stephanie and I sneak into during the wee hours of summer nights. But this was something more than just an ordinary run, today was day one of an 18 week buildup leading to the 2014 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. The first time out during a new marathon prep is always filled with hopes and dreams of shattering your goal and setting a new pr. Your legs feel like they could carry you 100 miles at marathon pace with no problem. Today was a great reminder of why I love to run.
I am just over two weeks removed from my last marathon in Huntsville, Alabama where I ran a personal best 4:14:37, but I left feeling dissapointed. I had wanted to run under 4 hours and was well on pace through 20 miles when my hamstring tightened up and I had to hobble the final 6.2 miles to the finish line. I could sit here and list the reasons on why I failed, but let's be honest no one wants to read those reasons or really cares. What I have found out in the last couple of weeks is how thankful I am to be able to do what I do. Running has changed me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
The main goal I had for 2013 was 1600 miles for the year and with 8 miles in the morning I will reach that goal. In 2013 I went further then I ever dreamed was possible. It's amazing how much we can accomplish if we simply just allow ourselves to dream. I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and has a wonderful new year and here's to going further and faster in 2014.
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