NOTHING BUT GREEN: My first week of training for the Route 66 Marathon

Jul. 11—As an ambassador for the Route 66 Marathon, I was thrilled to kick off my training for the iconic event last week.

With 20 weeks of intense preparation ahead, I knew I had to start strong during the crucial base-building phase. However, my first week proved to be a bit of a challenge thanks to some unpredictable weather and a disrupted schedule.

But hey, that's just life, right?

It seemed that whenever I had free time, thunderstorms would roll in and put a damper on my plans. On the other hand, when I was busy with work, the weather would clear up, leaving me longing to hit the pavement. Finding a structured schedule in such circumstances was like chasing lightning — elusive and frustrating.

Nevertheless, I embraced the motto: "It's going to take process before you get to the prize." I reminded myself that not every run needed to be a high-intensity, challenging workout.

Easy running days are just as important in my training routine, and they offer an opportunity to appreciate the journey rather than constantly chasing the clock.

During my Monday run, I covered 6.15 miles at an easy pace of 10:39 per mile. I focused on maintaining a conversational pace, allowing myself to enjoy the surroundings and the rhythm of my steps.

It was a reminder that easy runs were not about speed but about finding comfort in the motion. If I found myself struggling to control a rhythmic breathing pattern, I knew I needed to slow down and truly embrace the easiness of the run.

Tuesday brought a change of pace with the Firecracker 5K Stroller Race. My 2-year-old daughter Ivy and I embarked on this adventure, and though we didn't quite reach our stroller 5K personal record of 24:40, it was a fun experience nonetheless as we finished in 24:45.

Running with my little one and sharing the joy of movement was a precious reminder of why I embarked on this marathon journey in the first place.

Friday presented its own set of challenges.

Storms had disrupted my schedule yet again, forcing me to lace up my running shoes at the late hour of 10:40 p.m. Despite taking consecutive days off and having only accumulated 16 miles on the week prior to this run, my Garmin Forerunner 935 alarmingly declared that I was overreaching.

According to my watch, "Your training load is very high and has become counterproductive. Your body needs a rest. Give yourself time to recover by adding lighter training to your schedule."

I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head. I knew my watch's judgment was based on the load from the past four weeks, and since I had taken a two-week break after running Grandma's Marathon, it was simply confused. Thankfully, it soon adjusted and recognized my productivity once again.

I didn't run on Saturday because of my six-year wedding anniversary, but I embarked on an 8-mile journey Sunday.

The workout was structured as a 10-minute warm-up, followed by 20 minutes at a humidity adjusted threshold pace and wrapped up with 4.52 miles of easy running. The threshold effort was done at a 7:52 per mile average, taking me 2.54 miles.

The humidity stood at a staggering 98%, making the workout portion feel tougher than anticipated. However, I pushed through, knowing that adapting to adverse conditions would only make me stronger.

In addition to the 24.3 miles I ran during the week, I also clocked in 4.24 miles of walking during cooldowns after my runs and other recreational activities. It was a reminder that every mile, whether running or walking, contributed to my overall progress and well-being.

As I reflect on my first week of training for the Route 66 Marathon, I realize that the road ahead wouldn't always be smooth. There will be storms, literal and metaphorical, challenging my dedication and testing my resolve.

But just like the famous Route 66, this marathon journey was about embracing the adventure, appreciating the journey and finding my own pace along the way.