Runner’s World Challenge – Marine Corps Marathon – begins tomorrow, kind of!

Celebrating turning 60 with a Marathon…

When I decided to run my first (and only, by the way) marathon, I felt I needed it to be close to home.

I needed the safety of familiarity.  I needed to know the hills, the valleys, the course.  I needed to know.

Last May, I ran the Cox Providence Marathon, a course that took me on a very familiar, very known, very safe journey.  My goal, my dream really, was to run the marathon in anything under 6 hours.  As I neared the Finish in downtown Providence to the cheering of my family and friends, I thought I saw 5 hours, 59 minutes on the clock… so I ran with my heart on my sleeve.

I finished the race in 5 hours, 19 minutes. I was elated.

But I thought I had run my first and my last marathon.

Then something got into me.  Something like the Marine Corps Marathon.  Something far from home, unfamiliar and outside my safety zone.  Something to celebrate me turning 60 in October, the month of the MCM.

Something in me needed to know that I could try to run faster.   Something in me knew that I needed a program like the Runner’s World Challenge.

So… tomorrow begins my training.  Well, sort of.

My goal for MCM is to run a sub-5 hour marathon.  I’m putting it out there… and the Runner’s World experts have developed a plan to make it happen.

The program starts with 15 miles a week and a five-mile long run, and peaks three weeks before the race with 36 miles and a long run that’s 20 miles. Most weeks feature three days of rest and four days of running, and include workouts like goal-marathon-pace runs to help you get fitter and faster. Each daily workout includes detailed instructions on pace and distance, plus Runner’s World’s best tips on nutrition, gear, racing, and staying motivated and injury-free.

Sounds like one heck of a plan and I am beyond excited and motivated to begin.

So… tomorrow?  It’s my first “Rest Day”! 

But I’m gonna be wearing my Runner’s World T-shirt all day long to get me all the more ready for Tuesday’s 3-miler…

I’ll be keeping you posted every step of the Runner’s World way!

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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5 Comments

  1. 7.9.12
    Erin said:

    I can’t wait to follow your journey. I always say that I will never run a marathon because I don’t think I would have the time to train with two kids and a full-time job, but reading this makes me realize that there will be a time in my life where I won’t have those obligations.

  2. 7.9.12
    Jane said:

    Go, Mom!! You are so inspiring. I love you!

  3. 7.9.12
    Barry said:

    I’ll be behind you all the way. Literally speaking…I’ll do some training with you but as usual… I’ll be running a little behind you… Maybe I’ll work my way up to a half someday!

  4. 7.9.12

    I have no doubt you can do it Sharon and I know you would leave me in the dust!

  5. 7.10.12
    Renee said:

    Two years ago I ran the Marine Corps Marathon for a charity. It was awesome!

    It was VERY organized, had lots of support through the miles, and the streets were packed with cheering fans!!

    You will LOVE it!!

    I am training for my second, in Philadelphia, with my daughter. (It will be her first) Exciting!

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