I'm running a MARATHON!!!
Yes, it's true, and this is the site to tell you all about it. I know your mind is swimming with questions, so I'll try to answer as many as I can.
What is a marathon?
It's an extremely exciting 26.2 mile race, with a long history of highly motivated and exhausted runners reaching the finish line. The first marathon was in Greece, run by a messenger between the two cities of Marathon and Athens. That guy died after delivering his news. But he was probably running a lot faster than me, and I bet he didn't have any Gatorade!
Who is running this marathon?
Your very own Courtney B. See, former non-athlete. Yes, that is me running in the picture on the left! I was finishing off a ten-mile run.
When is your marathon?
Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 6:30 in the morning.
Where is your marathon?
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon will be held in downtown OKC. It will start and end by the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial.
What in the WORLD inspired you to run a marathon? Why put yourself through all this torture?
In January 2004, I decided I needed to start exercising. It was a habit I hadn't consciously started since moving to OK. I began working out 2 days a week after work with my co-worker Stephanie Cash. Later, a student friend Trish Zylstra joined us. At this beginning stage I was just powerwalking with a few minutes of jogging thrown in. I could run about 0.01 miles before running out of steam. There was no way I would have ever considered running a marathon. There were three things that happened about the same time that worked together to change my mind.
Josh Coates and some other OBU friends were training to run the OKC marathon. I heard about 8 and 10 mile runs and was blown away by the thought of it. However, I greatly admired the discipline and guts these kids had. As the weather warmed up, I started going outside rather than staying on the treadmill. I tried to run a little bit more than my initial 0.01 miles, just to see how much I could do. My friend Mike Bell and I were talking about exercise routines and he commented that he could see me as a long distance runner. In the next few days, Trish told me about a triathalon that was coming up at OBU. She asked me to compete in it with her. I told her that I didn't own a bike, my doggy paddle probably wouldn't win any awards, and that my time in the mile would make a tortoise look fast (although I could at least run a whole mile by this time!). I thought about the possibility of competing in a race. It was starting to appeal to me. So I told Trish I would skip the triathalon this time, but I would run a marathon with her in a year. She said, "Court, you know I hate running, right?" I said, "Yes, but let's do it."
From that point, there was no turning back. I looked up marathon training schedules on the internet and started to follow some mileage buildup training. I started running 3 days a week and then later 4.
You may still wonder, "Why start with a marathon? Why not a smaller race to get in the groove?" Although I didn't have all the reasons outlined when I first committed to the race, I've certainly thought through some as I've put in my many miles. Here are some:
Physical: The physical benefits of running are great! First of all, it's a great way to get in shape. Since I graduated Taylor and moved to Oklahoma, I've lost 50 pounds and several sizes in clothes. Most of that is due to running. My cardiovascular strength and general health have greatly improved.
Mental: I've heard so much about how the marathon is a mental battle sometimes more than a physical one. I know it's developing a lot of toughness and determination in me. I know I have to go out there and run even if it's cold, rainy, windy, I'm tired, and my shins are killing me. However, it's not always a desperate battle. Being out running gives me lots of time to think about different things. And it releases endorphins into the bloodstream, which make me think I could run forever.
Spiritual: I think running and races have huge spiritual metaphors. The Bible talks about running many times. One of my favorite running verses is Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I say this a lot when I get to points in my runs where I can't seem to go any further.
Maybe I'll expound on some of the spiritual methphors later on!
Social: I'm able to connect with a whole new set of people by running. Just having had the common experience of running injuries and the runner's high creates a bond. I've met a lot of people through Team in Training (more on that later) and gotten to know others better.
So what are you doing to train for this marathon? How many miles are you up to?
I run 4 days a week. I take 4-8 mile runs on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and have a long run on the weekends. My most recent long run was 10 miles (2/5/2005). I will not run the full marathon distance until the actual day.
I run 12 minute miles. However, my goal is to finish the marathon, not to have any certain time goal. So although I would like to be really fast, that is not my focus this time around.
There are some great books and websites if you're interested in more of my training regimen.
Who runs with you?
I'm blessed to have a lot of people who have joined me at different points in my training. My thanks here to Trish, Gabe, Mike, Griff, Jessica, Junior, Christian, Liz, Mirella, Amber, Will, Amelia, Sherri, Redmond, and anyone else who has pounded the pavement with me at some time or another. On Saturdays, I run with my fellow Team in Training members and our coach, Redmond Barry.
Where do you do your running?
On the country roads here in McLoud (my favorite!)
On the airport track in Shawnee, right by OBU
On the Lake Hefner trails in northwest OKC
What can I do to help you in this trek?
There are several things...
1. Make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I've committed to raising at least $1000 for the society to benefit those who suffer from blood diseases.
2. Run with me, during the week or at the race.
3. If you don't want to run, bring me some gatorade while I'm running :).
4. Come to cheer me on at the marathon.
5. Become a personal financial sponsor. By this I mean support me in buying running gear and stationary supplies for fundraising.
6. Pray for me!
I hope some of your questions have been answered. Please feel free to ask more! 
Some links you might be interested in:
www.okcmarathon.com (OKC Marthon site)
www.teamintraining.org (Team in Training, the organization I'm running with)
www.active.com/donate/tntok/csee2004 (My personal fundraising site)
| 
