Day 1: Always Return to Why
The big day is finally here: today I start my ~official~ training plan!
When I signed up to run the marathon, I eagerly bought a calendar and hand wrote my 4 month training plan. I went through each of the 6 training days over the 16 weeks ahead, carefully writing down each day’s mileage, watching the weekly number go up and up as I went. As the first day approached, the numbers have grown less hypothetical. In my pre-training, I’ve aimed to strength train 3-4 times a week and run an average of 15 or so miles. I find myself winded at the end of a regular 3 mile run thinking to myself, “Okay sweet, so a marathon is just this distance plus 23 miles. Plus .2 miles. Or in other words, this distance, just almost… *checks notes*… 9 times over.”
Right now, a marathon seems impossible. Right now, half a marathon would be a huge stretch for me. I’ve had some trouble envisioning that in 4 months, I will successfully cross the finish line by Central Park. But I’m working on not being my own first hater. What good does it do me to have anything but absolute certainty about my own potential? Trusting the process, embracing the struggle, and being patient are just as much a part of my training as my daily miles, stretching the conceptualization of my own limits just as I stretch my hamstrings.
And at the end of the day during inevitable moments of self doubt, I will bring it all back to why I’m running. I’m putting myself through this because I can’t stand in paralysis as I watch gun violence continue to devastate communities. I am choosing this because I want to tell people about my 6 neighbors in Isla Vista who did not need to die. And I signed up to support Sandy Hook Promise in their mission to end gun violence. 26 miles for the 26 lives taken at Sandy Hook.
I have already raised nearly $900 of my $3,500 goal before even starting training. I have been so moved by the kind words of my loved ones and total strangers I’ve connected with. This is a cause that sadly resonates with far too many in one way or another. It’s a recurring national trauma that has shown us the ugliness of individuals and at times, of our lawmakers. But it has also brought to light the beauty and compassion that live in all of us. Though I hate the conditions that have made that possible, I am so thankful to witness the love that my communities have to give, and I am immensely grateful to have so much support.
Thank you so much for reading, following along on my training journey, and of paramount importance, supporting the cause to end gun violence. We can only overcome this crisis working hand in hand — together.
Now let’s go run hundreds of miles.