Jan 27 2012 "Because You Never Forget Your First" Boston 2012

Shannon & I before my first marathon Oct. 1997

Any time I want to take a walk down memory lane, I can reach onto my bookshelf and grab one of my many running journals that I have written over the years.  My first marathon was The Chicago Marathon in October of 1997.  When I think about all the miles that I have run since then, it seems like so long ago.  But, when I think about all the fun places I have run races, and the great people that I have gotten to meet over the years, it seems like I started this craziness yesterday. 

This is my 15th year of running and Boston will be my 17th marathon. Each race has its own set of memories. Some of those times reflect new friendships, PRs, comeback runs, running pregnant with my son, crossing finish lines with my daughter and the run with my husband that got me to Boston the first time.  There were also some heartbreak runs or as I prefer to call them now, "races that educated me on how to run better in the future".

It's fun to look back and see how far I have come but let's face it, nothing really compares to your first marathon.  All the training and reading about workouts, paces, learning what fartleks and tempo runs are and of course all the advice from those that have gone before you are a big part of your journey.  This year, my daughter Shannon is running her first marathon in Eugene Oregon.  An accomplished runner in her own right, she has run 3 half marathons and competed on her high school cross country team. She is a great athlete and an even sweeter person.  I was excited for her when she signed up for the event.  I asked her if she wanted me to run it with her but she politely told me that this is something she wants to do on her own.  Together we developed a training plan and she is working hard on her training runs and cross training days.  She texts me her mileage and times and calls for advice.  I can feel the excitement in her voice when she shares with me how well her workouts are going.  Just today she told me that she is feeling anxious about the race. I told her thats normal and that I am always nervous up til  the start of the race.  She said she recalls how great she felt after her half marathons.  And then, I told her, "wait 'til you finish your first marathon."  "It's an unbelievable feeling and one you will never forget."  The Boston Marathon is April 16, 2012 and although Shannon won't be with me in Boston, I know that she will be cheering me on from afar.  Shannon's race is April 29th.  I will be flying out to Eugene to ride my bike and meet her at certain points on the course and cheer her on.  After all, she was there for me at my first marathon and I want to be there for her.  I am already so proud of her for committing herself to such a big goal.  She is a very driven individual and I know that she will give it everything she has and cross that finish line in victory.  I am so happy to be a part of her journey and first marathon.  Go Shannon!!!!!!

Today's Bike Workout

Bike

Planned Distance: 17 Miles

Completed:  22 Miles

Running Workout

Planned:  6 Miles EZ.

Completed:

6.07 miles