Here we go

Several months ago, in a post-race afterglow, my wife and a friend were talking about tackling a marathon (both of them have already completed at least one marathon) and I said, "I'll do it if you will."  My wife was shocked because to that point I had been pretty adamant about not ever running that far.  Not wanting me to go back on my statement, she signed me up for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN within the hour.  So, fast forward a few months to today.  I am already starting to obsess about the race and it isn't even until the middle of June.

Now, I am not coming at this completely blind.  I have done 4 half-marathons, 9 triathlons, and more 5 and 10Ks than I can count.  However, I am not built to run long distances.  Rather than the lanky, skinny legs that most distance runner have, I have been blessed (?) with the large quads associated with sprinters.  I am also not a small man.  I am 6 feet tall and tipped the scale this morning at 226.0 lbs.

I am starting this blog to document my efforts to train for this marathon.  I am hoping that by the time June rolls around that I will have lost at least 20 pounds and that I will be injury free.  Currently, I am suffering from plantar fasciitis in my left foot which makes running a bit painful.  I managed to get just over 5 miles in last Saturday but I paid for it all weekend.

Training officially started last week.
Monday - 4 miles on the treadmill.  I tried a new pair of shoes (Saconys) but after two miles I had to change back to my Nikes because my arches hurt so bad and my right pinky toe went numb.  After running, I swam 1050 yards.
Tuesday - I again swam 1000 yards and then taught Body Pump.
Wednesday - ran 3 miles. Feet felt fine.
Thurday - Taught Body Pump
Friday - Taught Body Attack
Saturday - Ran 2.2 miles before the race and then ran Freeze Fest (5K).  I finished in 28:15.  Slow but not bad for my first 5K of the year.
Totals for the week 1: 12.3 miles running
                                      2050 yards swimming
                                      Three classes

Week 2 started Monday.  I managed to run 3.0 miles on the treadmill before my feet hurt too bad to continue (I am going to a podiatrist today)
Tuesday - Swam 1000 yards and then taught Body Pump

I plan on running again tonight.  I want to get 4 miles in but I'll have to see how my feet are doing.

I have also made a conscience effort to start eating better.  I am not following any one diet plan but am trying to eat more protein and less processed food.  I have also stopped drinking Diet Mt. Dew.  In the last 10 days I have lost 1.4 pounds.