Spring Forward! Going Above and Beyond!

"The only way to define your limits is by going beyond them."  Anonymous                            

When I first decided to run a half-marathon, I had already been running 4 times a week for five years and I was ready to do something a bit more challenging.  Fortunately, I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into!  Well - maybe a teeny morsel of an idea...but not a "realistic idea" - which I see now was a good thing.  My 4 day a week running routine consisted of putting on my Garmin tracking device (because I need to know EXACTLY how fast and how far I run on any given day), finding my "running playlist" on my iPod and go.  My route was usually the same - I would leave my front door, run up the street, turn left at the T in the road, run past the park, turn right past the Professional Building, touch the flagpole by the movie theaters and run back home.  2.58 miles.  So, my warped thought process was that if I could run 2.58 miles - I simply needed to multiply my run by 5 times which would equal a 13.1 mile half marathon.  Easy!  I went on the internet and found a twelve week training program for beginning half-marathoners.  I knew I couldn't run the entire distance and was pleased to discover that a "run 3 minute, walk 2 minute" routine was very acceptable in the running world.  So, that's what I was going to do.  The weekly running schedule included a "long run" that increased by 1 mile each week.  Two miles was a cinch, 3 miles was still very do-able, 4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles - oh my gosh - the miles kept increasing and I kept going.  I was absolutely amazed that I could actually keep up the pace for such a long distance - and still live to tell about it.

Was it easy?  NO!  There were some runs that were worse than awful, and some that were actually relaxing and enjoyable.   Rain was not fun and cold winds were worse but sunshine and 45-50 degree temps were heavenly.  There was absolutely no rhyme or reason as to when I would have a good run, and when I would feel like I would NEVER be able to finish.  That shocked me!  I couldn't believe that I could run 6 miles one day and then struggle to run 3 miles a few days later.  But I kept at it.  I didn't quit.  I trained and trained and trained and then did it!  I made it the entire 13.1 miles and have the medal and picture to prove it.  I personally needed to go above and beyond my usual fitness routine.  I needed to do something that I had never done before.  I needed to prove to myself that although I was never an athlete - and had never run a race before in my life - that I could indeed run with the big dogs if I wanted.  (Of course the big dogs were home, showered, had lunch, a nice nap and probably off to their next adventure before I crossed the finish line...but that was ok...there were a couple of hours when we were actually running in the same race together!)

So many of you have written me e-mails about your progress as you too are going above and beyond in maintaining good health through exercise.  Some have never kept with a fitness program for an extended period of time - until now!  Some of you have exercised for years and continue to do so, without fail!  With Spring right around the corner, some of you are just getting started with your Mary-thon while others are nearing the "Half-Mary-thon" point.  Some have had to start over for one reason or another, but EACH of you have promised me that you are committed to finish!  Remember - there's a beautiful medal waiting for you at the finish line to forever remind you that you did indeed go "Above and Beyond"!  


I received some pictures from one of our Mary-thoners - Sharon - from San Jose California.  Sharon just returned from her vacation - where she was able to keep up with the Mary-thon.  Where did Sharon vacation?  ANTARTICA!!!!  We have truly gone global with the Mary-thon!  Thank you Sharon for taking the Mary-thon to our 7th continent!!!!


Bravo to each and everyone of you as you spring forward - going above and beyond!  


Keep Moving Forward!
Mary

Sharon - Mary-thoning with the Penguins!

Sharon (wearing a Project Linus t-shirt!) sharing a Mary-thon moment with a precious baby seal!