Marathon Training

So, I wanted to write a post titled "Do's and Don'ts of Marathon Training", but I couldn't figure out how to do strikethrough font in the title, so this is what you get instead.  Haven't had a lot of complete "do's".

So, I have missed the target on my last 2 long runs.  I missed running 14-16 in Scott City, America a couple weeks back due to time constraints (ran about 10) and I missed my 16-18 run this past weekend.  I started on the run and made it all about 13 miles in and then had to walk the last 4-5 miles home (embarassing and tiring!).

So, here are my "don'ts" so far:

1) run in the rain - especially a warm, sticky rain.  Your clothes will get wet and heavy (as will your shoes).  And the rain won't cool you off.

2) run when you're not sure if you're hydrated or not.  If you have to wonder, you're probably not

3) wait until 10 miles in to further hydrate (too late!)

4) try to run again after stopping (cramps)

5) attempt a long run after a week of not getting much sleep

6) attempt a long run after a week of not eating very well (5 and 6 seem to go together, don't they?)

7) attempt a long run after a week of not getting all my prescribed workouts in that week (5, 6 and 7 definitely go together)

8) be too proud to stop and ask someone to use their phone to call for a ride

So...the next couple weeks are big ones for this attempt at a marathon.  I have a down week this week, then 18-20 a week from Saturday, then another down week and then 20-22 the weekend following.  Then, it's downhill until the marathon.  I need to get these ones done to build confidence again as I'm kind of doubting my ability to finish this darn thing at the moment.

So, I kind of need to get this done (if I'm ever gonna do this) as 1) I'm not getting younger and 2) I will not (until I am probably too old to attempt) have enough time again to train.  So, hopefully I can get this train back on the track and get going again.

Feel free to send your sympathies to Caroline on having to put up with me attempting to train for this thing.  She's been very supportive, which I appreciate.  I think she knows if I get this done, I'll stop talking about it and I can be done with this sort of thing for the rest of my life!