Hello there blog readers:

So, it is possible that the blog will be taking yet another twist and turn in the beginning of 2012. I will officially start Marathon Training on January 3, 2012 (which also happens to be my birthday). I am not going to lie, I am really nervous about trying to run my first (and most likely only) marathon. My goal is to run in the Providence Marathon which is on May 6, 2012.

When I ran the half marathon this past year, I kept my training and the fact that I was trying to run the 1/2 a secret on the blog because I was afraid I would not be able to complete it given all of the health issues I have faced over the last year. It is still not quite a year since my surgery and because of that my body is still officially in recovery mode – but I have come a long way.

I need a goal for 2012 and I have always had the goal of running one marathon, so I figured this would be as good of a year as any.  Last night I did some more research and even printed out a few training plans. Right now it looks like I will be using Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon Training plan. You can find it here.

I am also looking for any advice regarding marathon training and any other aspects of things that I should know about. Thankfully I have Nancy Clark’s books which I have always found very helpful when it comes to nutrition.

This week I have been doing some low key workouts at the gym to keep my body going and to increase my energy levels. Being under the weather always takes a lot out of me, and I always feel like I am starting over from scratch when I try to get back into my routines. So even though I could not go out and run six miles, I decided to go to the gym anyway for some less intense workouts – in hopes to keep my endurance up a little bit. The two workouts this week have been a combo of  20 minutes on the bike and 20 minutes on the elliptical, for a total of 40 minutes of exercise each day. I started feeling much better after the first visit to the gym.

I am hoping to get a run outside in tomorrow – but the forecast is calling for snow and rain on Friday. Boo! My fingers are crossed that the rain / snow mix will end early and that  I might be able to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.

Stay tuned for the trials and tribulations of marathon training in 2012. I’m sure it will be interesting if not painful! 🙂