On numerous early morning runs I have contemplated adding this addition to my blog, journaling my story - the joys and hardships of running and what it has taught me about the human spirit.
Before I start however, it is important for you to know that I am just an ordinary runner, I will never win a race, I'm not fast, I don't strike forefoot first and I am definitely not a morning person - but I get up at 05:30 weekdays and even earlier on weekends and run my heart out and. That makes me an extraordinary runner. I run for the love of running.
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far.
It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years.
There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."
-- John Bingham
The following posts will give you a glimpse of the road to my first marathon - so far it has been characterised by numerous victories albeit a few small setbacks.
The first and most important thing running has taught me is that everything is relative. When you first start training, 5 kilometers may be pushing the limits, but soon 5km becomes a recovery run after a long run of 15 kilometers the day before.
When I started training seriously I suffered from "tired leg syndrome". After running two days consecutively my legs would feel like lead the whole day and running on the third day was tiring. However as I become stronger, I have more energy on the days which I run than on my resting or cross-training days.
Relativity is something which only becomes apparent when retrospectively assessing your situation. In my first year, I felt that the workload at University was pretty intense, now, in my 5th year I know that I am capable of much more than I thought I was in my first year.
As I train for my first marathon, I welcome you to join me on this journey of defying the limits of the human heart.
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