Changing My Approach to Training

My approach to training for the Oakland Marathon has changed. I joined Team In Training before I started my new job and at that time the schedule would have worked but now that I have a very long commute and don't get back home til close to 9:00pm every night, it just doesn't work. That's one excuse and I know it's an excuse but the fact is there...I haven't been going to the training or buddy runs.

I still am committed to doing the marathon and I am still committed to raising the money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Team In Training but I'm going to have to find a way that works for me while I am finding my new routine.

While I haven't been running I have been doing other things that hopefully will get me where I need to be. The last time I went to a track work-out with Team In Training I felt completely out of shape because of how hard and fast my heart was pounding. That leads me to believe that I need some serious cardio training. I've always been very thin so I've never felt the need to exercise. Unfortunately, my heart is not in shape because of that. The last couple of weeks I've been going to dance cardio classes because if I'm going to work out it's going to have to be fun. Running is just not fun to me right now and neither is any other cardio machine at the gym. I've also gone to a couple of Qi-Gong/Tai Chi classes.

Tomorrow I am meeting with a personal trainer. I'm scheduled to meet with her once a week for the next five weeks. I need someone to push me because I don't have it in me to do it alone right now. When I start to feel uncomfortable running or on the elliptical I usually just stop and I feel lost when trying to do a routine on the machines.

I just got back from the gym and I did 3.11 on the elliptical machine.  It's a modest attempt at trying to get back into training but at least I did something. I had gone intending to run on the treadmill but they were all taken.

I know that I am very far behind in my training if I'm trying to run the entire 26.2 miles but the goal I originally set is to finish the marathon and to do it to support my dad. I may be completely insane to think this but on that day I know I will have the determination to cross the finish line with my dad and I feel like I will be able to do it even at the rate I'm going now. I think I'll walk the uphills and walk/jog the rest. I am going to step up my training and the personal trainer and the cardio classes is my way of doing that for now. If anyone out there thinks my theory isn't making sense...please let me know, I'm open to suggestions. I have 67 days to go.