| Impossible! This word describes how I felt about the | | | | Now for me, the idea of running 12 miles at one time |
| idea of ever attempting to run a marathon. I have a | | | | was a huge hurdle to overcome mentally, but really |
| friend, Karyn, who ran the Marine Corps Marathon in | | | | that was just the beginning. Eventually my training |
| 1994. She ran to raise money for AIDS research, and | | | | program would consist of long runs of up to 20 miles, |
| I was amazed at the commitment and dedication she | | | | so the key for me was to set short term mileage |
| displayed as she trained for and reached her goal. | | | | goals on a daily and weekly basis. I mapped out my |
| For a minute back in 1994, the thought that I may | | | | training for the year, and then focused on the daily |
| someday run a marathon crossed my mind. But that | | | | and weekly goals. I believed that by accomplishing |
| thought was quickly replaced by the word | | | | the short term goals, the long term goal of finishing a |
| "impossible". 26.2 miles? Me? No Way! | | | | marathon would take care of itself. |
| Fast forward to New Year's 2003. I'm in a rut. I | | | | The Marine Corps Marathon was upon me, and I |
| believe that some of us go through this as the New | | | | couldn't have been more excited! After months of |
| Year approaches. We take a look at our lives; | | | | training, I was ready. The experience of being |
| examine our past, look ahead to the future. Hopefully | | | | surrounded by 20,000 people, all of us with a |
| as we look ahead there is something out there that | | | | common goal was phenomenal. Every street was |
| lights the fire in us. Something that stirs up the | | | | lined with thousands of people clapping and cheering |
| passion inside. Well, not for me. I searched but it | | | | us on. Crossing the finish line was an emotional |
| wasn't there. | | | | experience for me. I felt a great sense of pride in |
| I was in a rut professionally as rumors swirled about | | | | my accomplishment and I was so inspired by all of |
| the imminent closing of the printing company that I | | | | the other runners in my midst from all walks of life. |
| had worked so hard for. I was in pretty decent | | | | The marathon experience truly was the challenge and |
| shape, but even my workouts were growing stale. I | | | | inspiration that I was looking for at that point in my |
| needed a life changing event; something that I could | | | | life. I was hooked! |
| set my sights on like a laser beam to ignite the fire | | | | Since then, I have completed six marathons including |
| inside. That's when the thought of running a | | | | an ultra marathon of 50.3 miles. Some have been |
| marathon entered my mind again. I knew the time | | | | more challenging than others, but with each finish |
| was right. I was at a point in my life where the | | | | comes a sense of pride and accomplishment. |
| challenge of doing the "impossible" was the spark | | | | If you are searching for a "spark" as we move into |
| that I needed. So I registered to run the Marine | | | | 2008, you may want to consider the challenge of |
| Corps Marathon in October of 2003. | | | | competing in a marathon. It truly is a life changing |
| The training needed to complete a marathon was like | | | | event that will have a positive influence in so many |
| nothing I had experienced before. The long run is the | | | | areas of your life. Don't let the word "impossible" hold |
| foundation of a marathon training program. Basically, | | | | you back! |
| anything beyond 12 miles is considered a long run. | | | | |