Let the Countdown Begin! 18 Weeks to the "Sham"!

So 18 weeks from right now I will be cruising through the Shamrock Marathon in Virgina Beach! As you know, my training has a bit of a head start since I am doing a half marathon here in Mobile on January 10th. Yesterday I ran 10 miles, which is the third time I have done that distance in the last 4 weekends. I'll bump my long runs up to 12 miles by the end of this month in preparation for the half marathon, then after January 10th, start to focus on March 21st.

If you've read my earlier posts, you know I was originally planning to do the full marathon here in Mobile on January 10th. I opted out of that full marathon due to not being able to devote all the training time needed this Fall. My schedule has since opened up a bit, so I'm back in the game for a full marathon later in the year. I started this blog to help folks who may be training for his/her first marathon, and to share some tips I have learned along the way. Prior to my change of plans, I had gotten through the first eleven "lessons", which are re-capped here:

1. It takes determination

2. It’s a major time commitment

3. You can’t control the weather

4. Have a goal

5. Get motivated

6. Have a reward system

7. Invest in good running shoes

8. Stay healthy

9. Have a support team

10. Don't chafe me Dude!

11. Run safely

Starting with my next post, we will resume the "lessons" and pick up with # 12.
 
I also have been posting some great running songs (if you run with an MP3 player) that may help you keep moving when out on the road, a re-cap of those are below:

• Little G.T.O by Ronny and the Daytonas
• Rock and Roll Music by The Beatles

• Together Forever by Rick Astley

• I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett

• Knowing Me, Knowing You by ABBA

• We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel

• Cherry Bomb by John Mellencamp

• Crunchy Granola Suite by Neil Diamond

• Who Knew by Pink

• Katmandu by Bob Seger

• We Don't Talk Anymore by Cliff Richards
• Hey Tonight by Credence Clearwater Revival

• What if it all Goes Right by Melissa Lawson

• Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams

• Hot N Cold by Katy Perry

• That's What I Like About You by The Kinks

• God, Love and Rock and Roll by Teegarden & Van Winkle

• Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones

• Hawaii Five-O Medley by Jive Bunny

• Time is Tight by Booker T & the MGs

• Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon

So this week is sort of a milestone, being 18 weeks to go and all I decided to do a re-cap. From this point forward, we'll start the countdown to the full marathon in Virgina Beach, but being careful not to overlook the half on January 10th - never underestimate a run!
 
Ciao...