Diet & Fitness Blog
Running a Marathon... Am I Crazy?!?
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By Dorian WagnerSenior Copy Editor
I've never been a "runner." I think the farthest I've ever even tried to run was a couple miles... and that was back in high school, because my volleyball coach said I had to.
So I have no idea how it got in my head that I wanted to run a marathon (26.2 miles!), but it did, and I LOVE IT.
I've been training for the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon for about five months now. I'm following a six-month program which starts out very slowly and encouraging -- my first time out, I only had to run/walk for 30 minutes. You gradually add miles (and drop the walking) as time goes by.
Every Saturday morning, I have to do a "long run," which gets longer every week. And when I say long, I mean loooooong. My first long run was only set at 3 miles, which I still thought was a little crazy at the time. I'd never run 3 miles in my life! But I did it. And it was awesome. The feeling of accomplishment I had at the end was enough to make me look forward to the next Saturday.
Last weekend I ran 20 miles. In one day. One morning.
You read that right. And that's why I sometimes wonder if I'm crazy. But in the same second, I always realize I'm not.
I love running now. It's put me back in the shape I was in in high school. It gives me a reason to get up every morning and get moving. It gives me something to look forward to, something that has great meaning to me.
I'm running a marathon. It's something most people will never do in their lives. It's something I can talk about with enthusiasm, with accomplishment, with pride. And when it's all said and done, and I cross that finish line exhausted and overjoyed, I won't just be Dorian Wagner anymore... I'll be Dorian Wagner, Marathon Runner.
P.S. My marathon is February 17. Be sure to check back and I'll post how I did! And in the meantime, check me out in our podcast (I'm the one with the squash, which I can't really explain. It was just there on the desk, so I picked it up.)
Labels: exercise, fun, motivation, running
Comment by 
glo said... - Friday, January 25, 2008 6:30:00 PM
good luck, just trying is the biggest part. You will do good. Sincerely, glo
Comment by 
kskiffey said... - Friday, January 25, 2008 6:38:00 PM
You Go Girl! I just signed up for my first Marathon myself. The Rock and Roll in San Diego June 1st for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 26.2 Let us all know if you survive as I'm not a runner either and next weekend is our first team run!
Comment by Donna said... - Saturday, January 26, 2008 12:20:00 AM
GO DORIAN!!! You will do an AWESOME job! I just know it!!!
HUGS!
Donna
Comment by 
said... - Saturday, January 26, 2008 7:11:00 AM
I think that a marathon is such a wonderful endeavor. Much luck to you. I am encouraged to start up my running program again, Suzyque
Comment by said... - Saturday, January 26, 2008 7:30:00 AM
My 56 year old son-in-law did a triathlon in June, 2007 and finished. He had only trained for 1 year.
If he can do it I know YOU can.
Good Luck!
Comment by said... - Saturday, January 26, 2008 5:55:00 PM
i NEED LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, I LIVE IN TEXAS AND i WORK IN THE ER DEPT AND THEIR IS SO MUCH STRESS,I'M VERY LONELY I NEED A PARTNER TO CONVERSE WITH ABOUT MY WEIGHT AND HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK PLEASE HELP ME, MARILYN
Comment by said... - Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:27:00 PM
Good luck! You are inspiration! I am doing my first marathon this year as well, its in March!
Kyra
Comment by said... - Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:30:00 PM
I'm sure you will do just fine. You just ran 22 miles last week. What's 4 more. Good luck!
Rasta Man
Comment by seniorguy said... - Monday, January 28, 2008 7:23:00 AM
These recipes are great, but how about giving us seniors the option of making a lesser amount with a serving size calculator.
Comment by said... - Monday, January 28, 2008 9:18:00 AM
you go Girl!!!
I too am crazy,,,I'm also running my first Marathon in Virginia Beach in March. I Did the half Marathon last year. I thought it would be hard but the volunteers made it sooo much fun.
( Shamrock Sportsfest)
I find the long runs are a great personal ritual time. You have to prepare all week for the long run, get your gear ready, then you are off to solve all the worlds problems in your head while your on the road injoying the senery~
my Mantra~ Mind over matter and just finish vertically~Have a great time!!!
YOU CAN DO WHAT EVER YOU SET YOUR MIND TO DO!
Comment by said... - Monday, January 28, 2008 1:51:00 PM
Go Girl! I know what you mean about just running 3 miles. I ran my first 5K summer of 2007 at the age of 55. I also had stopped smoking early that summer after 34 years of the habit. There were only two in my age group--but I won first place. Boy did I ever feel great. Like you,never ran in my life--but boy what a high I get when I do. Good luck to you and I'll be thinking of you on run day.
Comment by alicia said... - Monday, January 28, 2008 6:45:00 PM
Wow Girl!!! That is so exciting and refreshing to hear! Just make sure to stay healthy! I was training for my first and now I have a million things wrong with my foot, a stress fracture, loss of cartilage, joint probs, and bone marrow edema. Run it for me since I can't even workout!!! I'll stay updated on ya!
Comment by said... - Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:54:00 AM
You will be successful without a doubt!! You've shared your goal publically...and I mean publically. One of the keys to succesfully acheiving your goals.
I just ran my first 1/2 Marathon at the Phoenix Rock & Roll. I admire you for going the whole distance.
Comment by said... - Wednesday, January 30, 2008 1:32:00 PM
Good Luck.. I am planning to run the OKC Memorial marathon on April 27, it will be my first at 48.
Johnny
Comment by said... - Saturday, February 02, 2008 10:16:00 PM
You rock! I ran my first marathon in L.A. for my son's first birthday back in 2006. I just got some girlfriends to commit to do the Rock n Roll marathon in Phoenix January 09. Like you I'm not a runner AT ALL. But I can tell you it feel SOOOOO good to cross that finish line. Most people will never achieve that and YOU WILL.
Comment by charles said... - Sunday, February 17, 2008 1:53:00 PM
You crossed my path this morning as I was going to the beach. It was approximately 8:30am, mile 13, on Bay street, Hillsboro Shores. You were moving like the breeze, with confidence and a smile... Joie de vivre!
Comment by said... - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:41:00 AM
You Go Dorian!
Follow your dream. I was training to run my 1st marathon in 2001, but I broke my foot. My dream and goal is still to run my 1st marathon. If I can't run the whole 26.2 miles, I just want to make it across the finish line. Please update me on your 1st marathon. I'm looking for a training partner in Houston, Texas
Comment by beautifull_girl said... - Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:54:00 PM
what training program are you using. I have nver run before either and I am planing to run a marathon in 14 months. Any help would be great!
Comment by beautifull_girl said... - Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:56:00 PM
I just sent you a comment to be a proved about running a marathon and any advice you have my email is kkarlene@gmail.com Thanks so much!
Comment by said... - Monday, November 17, 2008 11:14:00 PM
Quit smoking at 43 run my first half marathon at 44. now i am working on my 6th marathon. you go girl it is the best feeling in the world!!! I will be running the las Vegas marathon in Dec. of this year... signed a happy runner in Texas
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