Cowgirl up

I ran my first marathon in October 2009. It was something I’d planned to do for a long time, basically ever since I started running.* The Nike Women’s Marathon was an amazing experience. The crowds, the excitement, the San Francisco hills… it was the experience of a lifetime. And I said I’d never do it again.

* I started running (for real, other than just “jogging” here and there) in 2006 using a Couch-to-5K plan. If I can run a marathon, anyone can… really.

But, here I am, three years later, gearing up to do it again. Yep, I’m about to start training for the Austin Marathon, in February.

I’m in a different place now that I was back then, literally and figuratively. In 2009, I worked long hours, but I didn’t have a child to care for. I dragged myself out of bed at ungodly hours to run, but at least I could make up a run over lunch or in the evening if I needed to, having that great Northern California weather on my side. I trained on my own, using a Hal Higdon marathon plan as my guide, but this time, I’ll have Rogue Running and my awesome running buddies to keep me company, keep me honest, and keep me sane.

I wasn’t really planning on a second marathon anytime too soon, but then I heard about the Austin Distance Challenge. With six races from October to February, ranging from a 10K to a marathon, it provides what seems like the perfect road map to training successfully for a marathon. The races will keep me motivated and help me get through the holidays in racing shape, and I am really excited about having the support of a wonderful coach and a running group that I already know and love. That in itself is surprising to me, because I have always been a steadfast solo runner, and I never would have joined Rogue if I hadn’t just needed to meet some people, being new in town and going out of my mind trapped in the house with a bored toddler.

Am I ever glad I did, though! Rogue has helped me run through my first Central Texas summer (ugh) and live to tell about it, and I have met some incredible running mamas whom I am now proud to call my friends. I really didn’t intend to get all mushy, but there you have it.

Ready, set…

So, yeah. Second marathon, coming right up. I am psyched and a little scared, but I know I can do it!