With a new year brings new goals. Saying, “this year I am going to run a marathon” has always been a statement that I have been scared to commit to. You really have to know that you are ready to run 26.2 miles. I promised myself that I would only start training for a full marathon once I have successfully finished a half marathon and felt strong at the end. I knew if I was completely gassed at the finish line, there was no way that I would want to do add on 13.1 more miles. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon was my turn around point. I felt strong the entire way through the race and ran my fastest half yet. 

What has also held me back from running a full marathon was my kidneys. In simplest terms, my kidneys aren’t 100% and together they pretty much make one functioning kidney. After an 8 hour surgery in grade 2 and constantly going to the hospital for monthly check ups for years, I was scared that a full marathon would be too hard on my body. Loosing all the sodium while running and adding extra proteins can be hard on the kidneys. I went to a kidney specialist and after drawing 6 viles of blood and some testing, I was cleared to run as long as I was following a gradual running plan, only taking protein drinks after long runs and properly fuelling my body. 

Im feeling the strongest I ever have and 2016 is the year that I’m going to run my first full marathon. I haven’t decided which race will be my first but it will be in the fall. I’m giving myself a good amount of time to train with longer races throughout the year. 

 

I took pretty much the entire month of December off of training to properly recover and recharge my body. I’m taking my training back to the the beginning and slowly build myself back up to long distance running. I’m incorporating speed runs, easy runs, tempo runs, hill training and weight training into my regime. If I’m doing this, I’m doing it right and injury free. I have to eat more and drink more water, which can actually be a struggle for me. 

Week one of my training was short since I’m beginning from day one of January and Sunday was my rest day. 

Week 1:

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: 3.2 miles at 9:13/mile pace on the treadmill 

Sunday: Rest Day 

Total Miles: 3.2