Welcome to the "Sidelines to Start Line" blog!
My name is Jody and I am the Director of Operations for the Madison Marathon in Madison, Wisconsin. After planning this event for four years and watching so many cross the finish line, I decided it was time to get out there myself. I started running about two months ago at the prodding of my friend Kari who insisted seven weeks was enough time to train for a 10K. I started to believe her after about six and a half weeks.
I finished my first race ever last weekend - the Jingle Bell Run in Madison. It was tough. Snow-covered roads and 25-degree weather wore my legs out a lot faster than I'd anticipated, but I crossed the line at 1 hour, 10 minutes. I was elated, but quickly set my sights on something bigger: a half marathon. Am I crazy? I think so, but if I've learned anything from working with distance runners, it's that running 13.1 (or 26.2) miles takes a little crazy. At the moment, I'm temporarily sidelined with an over-use injury, but the doc says I'll be back at it in a week or so.
In this blog, I hope to connect with my Madison Marathon runners as I attempt to straddle the line between planner and participant. I also hope to connect with the running community as a whole. I know you're a tight-knit group and I hope to glom some of your wisdom as I work my way toward 13.1.
It's about time you got out and got moving!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, welcome to the running world. It's way more addictive than I would have guessed when I started.
Madison was my first official half marathon, in 2007. I've run three full marathons since, but this will be my first full Madison marathon. I'm looking forward to it!
This will be my first marathon also!! Im very scared that i wont be able to do it but Im determined to just finish it no matter how long it takes me. I've been training slowly since September - and last Saturday I RAN for 1 hour and did 4.25 miles!! I AM GONNA DO THIS!! Its my goal for my 40th birthday which is May 31st - a great birthday gift for me!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a first timer as well. Figured a halfer before I'm thirty was a plenty good goal. I'm nervous, but excited for the challenge!
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