As our training kicks into full gear, keep checking back here for updates, pictures, and more. Starting this Sunday I will also begin posting weekly training recaps for anyone who has ever wondered what it takes to conquer a marathon. Like most of my teammates, I fall somewhere between the novice and intermediate training plans designed for us by our advisor Jack Fultz, who recommends that we take a look at each week's goal and determine a middle ground mileage wise that feels best for each of us. Today the novice schedule called for 3-4 miles with walking breaks as needed and the intermediate called for 4-5 miles with strides in between (strides mean you increase/decrease your speed in the middle of the run- this helps with both endurance and increasing your speed over time). Given I am coming off a weekend of pre-training holiday debauchery and indulgence, I decided to keep an easy and steady pace, running 4.35 miles. I also walked 1.4 miles at a brisk pace to/from a 50 minute pilates class for core and strength training. This is right within what I have been doing to maintain my mileage base prior to starting official training (20-25 miles per week and pilates 3-5 times per week), but it still felt exciting to log my first official training run!
And there is no better way to stay motivated for the next 18 weeks than to look back at the history and impact of the DFMC program. While I have been sharing individual impact statements each Monday that give a glimpse at some of the Barr research projects funded by the challenge, the below graphic prepared for last year's 25th anniversary running really shows how much the challenge and its impact have grown through the years:
Pretty motivating stuff and I am honored to help continue and grow the DFMC legacy as it heads into its 26th year.
1 day down and 124 days to go!
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