Marathon: Take Two

I was talking to my mom about how I wanted to run a different marathon before I ran the NYC Marathon next year. I was thinking about the New Jersey Marathon, and she suggested I look for some in the DC area since that's near where she and my dad live. The National Marathon is in March, which is too soon after I get back from the February family vacation in Asia, and the Marine Corps Marathon is in October, too close to the NYC Marathon. I was looking for an April-May-June marathon, and my mom stumbled across this Potomac River Run Marathon May 1, the same day as the New Jersey Marathon!

It's also much more convenient, MUCH smaller (capped at 300 people!) and very cheap ($40!). I still have to take the bus to DC, but at least I can stay at my house and don't have to get a hotel, which I'd probably have to do with the New Jersey Marathon. I think it'll be interesting to run such a small marathon, especially since I'll be running one with over 40,000 people six months later, but I've heard it said from a few different people that the NYC Marathon is not the best first marathon -- a lot of people, a lot of spectators, a lot of bridges, a tough course... This one is an out-and-back course, few (if any) spectators, and even bills itself as "the easiest marathon in America". Sounds like it's worth a shot to me!

I ran two miles yesterday, and felt a little pain afterward. It wasn't bad, but I took today off (unless you count walking around Ikea for two hours as a workout) just to keep it rested. I'm planning an elliptical and weight session tomorrow -- woo! Night!

Shoulda woulda coulda

I should have run my first marathon on Sunday. I would have if I could have, but I didn't. It's bittersweet -- obviously I know that I'm recovering from an injury and there's absolutely know way that I could have run that marathon today, but I'm still kind of sad about it. I think that's probably normal. Four of my friends ran it though (congrats C, S, KS and KF!), and the girl who writes one of the blogs I follow ran it too, so it's sort of hard. Next year I'll have the NYC Marathon to look forward to, but that's so far away! All the more time to heal and train though! However, I'm thinking about doing the San Diego Marathon in June and deferring the NYC Marathon to the following year, but we'll see...

I rode the stationary bike for an hour on Sunday which is so NOT the same as running for 4+ hours, but it did keep me distracted! So did my grandmother's 95th birthday on Saturday -- we had cake, opened presents, and enjoyed an amazing homemade meal (lasagna!) by my aunt. She also baked two cakes -- one carrot, one chocolate marble, both delicious.

Yesterday I ran a FULL MILE WITHOUT STOPPING!!! It was glorious! It was really slow (5.3mph) but I'll take what I can get! :) I'm finally feeling like I'm able to get back into my old routine. The last Tuesday and today I did a hard total body conditioning class, something I really, really had been missing. I plan on getting back on track with my workouts, blogging more, and eating really well. I think I'll be back to it before I know it!