Um. Yes. So.

[wojelah]

Dear wojelah,

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REGISTERED FOR THE 32nd MARINE CORPS MARATHON

Love,

The U.S. Marine Corps

(The marathon. The ACTUAL marathon. Like, 26.2 miles of marathon. 10K registration opens May 14, and I'll probably register for that just in case. Because no lie, I am blindingly terrified at what I have managed to talk myself into right now.)

meep.

Comments

[smittywing.livejournal.com]

The Marine Corps SO did not sign that email, "LOVE." I can GUARANTEE it. ;)

Congratulations! Do not be terrified. I have seen the Marine Corps marathon. Only a few units decide they're going to start the marathon by running in formation with a guide-on. You just want to stay away from them and you'll be fine. :D

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

Little do you know that John Sheppard stood over a Marine's shoulder and used his influence for the force of good by threatening to stick him on McKay rota unless they signed that damn letter "love."

*sigh* Or maybe just in my head.

Also, I? I will be at the WAY WAY BACK, trundling along and trying not to look stupid in front of a bajillionty people.

[(Anonymous)]

There is no way you can look more stupid than the guy dressed like kermit the frog that juggles while he runs.

And if you manage to do so...I think you deserve a gold medal.

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

he guy dressed like kermit the frog that juggles while he runs

...seriously?

Also, clearly you haven't seen me out running. :)

[smittywing.livejournal.com]

Every year the National Association of Court Managers has a 5K that they award prizes for best female time, best male time, and best male time while wearing pantyhose. Really. It's pretty.

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

*dies*. Well, it's about time men got to understand the concept of heat-rash.

[smittywing.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! I'm SURE he did. ;)

So when's the big day?

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

October 28, 2007. And it occurs to me that I have NO IDEA where to start.

I feel like Rodney: "You know, I’m actually feeling a sense of peace ... interspersed with moments of sheer terror, of course."

[smittywing.livejournal.com]

*grin* I have not tried this yet, but these people have. Don't ask me what the CSI:NY episode is doing in there. I once had a Fitness magazine article that had a sketched-out training guide for running a marathon but...I most likely do not have that anymore. GWSNTM did train for a marathon once, I think. I don't know that I would follow ANY of his advice, though. :P

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

GWSNTM?

That sounds like the noise I made when I pushed the "Register Now" button.

[omglawdork.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE THE WOMAN!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU

in the immortal words of rob schneider from the waterboy (apt, considering your current home state):

YOU CAN DO EEEET!

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

Hah. I CAN. I even am assembling some sort of PLAN. More on that tonight.

[chicklet73.livejournal.com]

Wow!

*impressed*

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :) I hope I'll have made it to the point that it's feasible. If nothing else, I figure I'll have made a great deal of personal progress anyway.

[purna.livejournal.com]

*CHEERS* I love that marathon! I did that one a few years back and it's both my favorite course and my best time. Plus, all the baby Marines wandering around were delicious eye candy (this was pre-9/11, so their numbers may now be diminished).

It's an awesome course; a big touristy run around the city and I loved going to see "The Awakening" statue out on Hayne's Point.

Training-wise, I usually follow Hal Higdon's plan. He has individual plans for all skill levels here:
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm

Another plan that's popular is Jeff Galloway's. He incorporates the idea of 9-1, 1 minute of walking for every 9 minutes of running. You'd think it'd slow you down, but I've heard it doesn't.

Check his ideas out here:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/training-tips-by-jeff-gal.shtml

Marathons are totally addictive, and the training isn't really that bad, particularly if you can find a training group to do your long runs with.

I'm so excited for you! Have fun!

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

I feel like fit Marines = a good incentive too, yes. :)

I had found Hal Higdon's website, and his novice plan looks manageable. I have 23 weeks, so I'm going to do a little splicing with the intermediate plan in the book I got to start with, because the latter is meant to increase your pace, which I need to do if this is going to work.

I'm hoping that building up the time will be doable - I'm changing jobs end of July and have a few months between then and starting the next (not till post-marathon), so finding the time should be less of an issue than normal.

Thank you so much for the advice - and the encouragement!

[terribilita.livejournal.com]

*cheers you on*

This sounds really amazing. I've always had the urge to run a marathon, especially the AIDS and breast cancer marathons, but whenever I get the chance I wimp out and go with the walks.

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

I've never done ANY of the above, so we'll see. I just keep telling myself it will be ok because I have a PLAN. :D Thanks for the cheers!

[raisintorte.livejournal.com]

That is FANTASTIC! Go YOU!

YAY!

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

YAY indeed! Also HOMG. I am making a plan now. *loves GoogleDocs*