Happy Monday! We’ve survived the first week of January, y’all! Of course, I’ve been wanting to share my 2018 goals. I have many and feel SUPER capable of achieving them all. #goaldigger
There’s two that I really want to tell you about. I’ll start with the first one today 🙂
GOAL: Run the 2018 Chicago Marathon in under 5 hours.
Ideally, 4:45, but I seriously would be content with anything under 5hrs.
This will be my third marathon. I’m pretty proud of my previous two endeavors, struggling to the finish line of a 26.2 mile journey, 16 week training included. I read some random 2016 statistic that stated that only .5% of the US population run a marathon. I’m a part of that very unique subset of maniacs. And the fact that I accomplished it with T1D makes me the proudest.
Interestingly enough, it’s never been about all the external perks. Those pictures that they stamp out with the corporate logo (left) so you
can actually purchase them sans watermark – those don’t matter to me. Ha! And truth be told — those watermarks never stopped me from posting on (all) my social media accounts. The medal is gratifying at the end – when they hand it to you, congratulating you as you huff and puff your way back to a normal heart rate. But, what a fleeting joy. Especially when you realize it’s one more thing to carry on the post-race trek to warm quarters. AND where do you store your medals afterwards?! Or do you display them? Still trying to figure that part out. Finally, as an ever failing, but still aspiring minimalist, why would those t-shirts ever be useful to me? Months beforehand, I had already purchased running gear as motivation to get going aka not perish on the course. Anybody with me?! C’MON A new sports bra is more than just physical support. I’ve got dry fit gear for the summer AND the winter runs.
So what’s the real perk of running a marathon?
Let’s start at the beginning. The original impetus to run was born out of the idea of getting healthy on a budget. I put two and two together:
(1) Running: It’s [basically] free when you think about it! You can run anywhere and anytime. Early in the morning or after work. It’s available to you right outside your door – rain, snow or sunshine. Sort of. If you don’t count all the speciality running products that will entice you at every Fleet Feet, race convention, etc. Got some time, some sneaks and sweats? Perfect. Go run outside and get exercise for free. It wasn’t the easiest concept after spring and summer passed. but with some self-pep talks and inspiration from Pinterest and others that have done it before, I conquered the winter run. I did it for FREE in 18 degree weather.
(2) Any type of movement led to lowered blood sugars. It wasn’t working in my 1:1 training sessions very well – I often felt like I was disappointing my trainer every time we scheduled an hour session and I physically couldn’t perform, given a movement-induced low blood sugar. With running, I could troubleshoot the highs and the lows, everything in between and the insulin dosages on my own time. And generally, running l
I started with 5Ks, 10-milers and half marathons. In the back of my mind, I kept pondering the possibility of a marathon. Back in 2004 when my alma mater was enlisting students to join the Tufts President’s Boston Marathon team, there was NO way that I could believe in the possibility. The thought terrified me. I was wired with disbelief and doubt. Note: I was also only in year 1 of having Type 1 Diabetes.
All of this to say – I’ve always done this for myself. 
The real perk is to prove to ME that I am capable of even the “impossible” – running a marathon with T1D.
My first runs were defeating: low blood sugars in the middle of a long route. finishing off my last bites of carbs and not knowing if that would suffice. playing around with my basal rates. also, stopping a run often for the emergency of a low blood sugar’s uncontrollable jitters. As time progressed, so did my running with T1D acumen. i carried a fanny pack with carbs. i realized i needed to check my blood sugar after a solid 5 miles. i experimented with basal rates, pre-run snacks and more. and above all, i got rid of the doubt and embraced the possibility.
Initially, the goal has always been to simply finish. And it was a reasonable goal to set for my first go at this extraordinary 26.2 mile experience. Second time around, it was to finish in less time than before – nothing specific. But for the third time, I aspire for more.
Let me state it again: My goal is to run the Chicago marathon in under 5 hours.
And again: My goal is to run the Chicago marathon in under 5 hours.
And if there’s (1) a riveting crowd calling out my name on the course OR (2) an amazing shot of me in all my sweaty glory that a photographer snaps along the course, then that’ll be a nice bonus 🙂
i can T1Day 