Reluctant Marathoner and a Contest

I swore I would never run a full marathon again. My last and first was pretty wicked! I over trained and got a tibia stress fracture in the process. Then without knowing my pain was a fracture, I ran the marathon with the fracture. Of course after that I was sidelined for months. So after that super fun experience, I swore I would stick with my favorite 1/2 marathon distance along with 5k's and try out the Triathlon thing.

So what happens when you are a bit of a procrastinator and waited to the last minute to register for the Columbus half marathon that apparently fills up quickly, only to find it full? Well, considering I am going with some friends minus kids and husbands, with a hotel room, and they are all running the full marathon.... oh, yeah, you guessed it, I sign up for the freaking full! Luckily I am already at the 12 mile run distance and I have 6 weeks before the actual race. That gives me enough time to train. My plan is to run 13 miles (Just ran it this past weekend), 15 miles, 17 miles, 20 and then taper until the race. I'll be continuing to strength train the other days, cross train a bit and run 1-2 other days but shorter distances.

I really think that in this time since my last marathon, the strength training I have done has really helped my running. I feel stronger and I've gotten faster. I PR'd at my last 5k and ran it in 21:54!! My 5k speed before injury (granted I was still relatively new to racing and running) hovered between 25-28 minutes so this is HUGE! Now, I feel my muscles protect my body from the trauma long distance running can cause. I've also learned to listen more to my body. If I feel I need to ease off, I will and do!

Hey, I love a good challenge and I am not a fan of having something looming over my head that I can't do (Like open water swimming). I will try my damnedest to succeed if at all possible, especially if I am the one standing in my way of my own success!

Side note about diet and eating- anyone read or reading It Starts With Food by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig? It's changing my thinking on food! I will go more in depth about the book in a future post, there is just so much information to cover! If you have thought about reading the book but were on the fence, go for it? It's worth the cost!

Ok, CONTEST!! When I named my blog, it was a time when I was really working to get in shape and bounce back after my babies. I FINALLY feel like I have bounced back. My blog has taken on a different role. I think it is more of an informational and motivational type blog. I love to write and am going to keep at it. However, I don't think Running 4 Mama's Comeback is an accurate name choice any more. So the contest is to rename my blog!! To enter you need to

1. follow this blog

2. Give me your idea for a new name in the comments below. The best name will win a prize yet to be determined- but trust me, you'll like it!!

Contest ends on Saturday 9/21 at midnight est.

I can't wait to hear your ideas!!