Run a Marathon-You Betcha

A few weeks ago my hubby and I traveled to Fargo to cross 2 items off his bucket list:
1. Visit Fargo, ND
2. Run a Marathon
(I only got to cross #1 off my list,  because I was only there for morale support.)

Here's me blogging in the Airport.

Check our my ginormous rental car.  Last time (and just about every other time) Scott was the designated driver and we got a VW Bug.  When it's my turn -I get the Dodge Ram-the universe must have a sense of humor. I am a notoriously bad driver and it's a miracle I didn't wreck this thing.

After picking up my new ride we drove across the street to the Fargodome to check in.  They had a bunch of vendors set up, so after he picked up his stuff we walked around for awhile. Then we headed back to the hotel to rest up for the big race. We spent a lot of time watching really bad reality TV.

The starting line.

Finish!

This was the first time either of us had ever been to a marathon and we were so impressed and would recommend it to anyone and here's why:

1. Fargo: no traffic and nice people

2. The event was well run and organized

3. Super flat-no hills

4. The entire town shows up to cheer on the runners.  They dressed up and held signs.  Our favorites:

"Why 26.2?  Because 26.3 is crazy"

"Pain is temporary...Pride is forever"

 "Worst parade EVER"

 One guy even dressed up like the grim reaper holding a sickle and a sign that read "The end is near" and stood about a mile from the finish. My husbands admits it's silly, but having total strangers cheer you on, really helps and the signs were nice diversions.

5.  Officially, they had a band every mile, but lots of people played unofficial music as well.  Scott's favorite was a really old guy that keeping playing "Charge" on a trumpet. If you have to run for 26.2 miles, you might as well be entertained.

6.  Lots of drink and gel stations.

7. Lots of pacers to help you reach your time goal (Scott only had a "finish" goal and so didn't really take advantage of this-but it's there if you want it).

8.  It was easy for me to go and find him along the route and find a parking spot so I could cheer him on during the race. I found him 4 times.

9. The finish is inside the Fargodome, so spectators aren't dealing with the elements. Also when you run up you get to be on the jumbo tron which is always fun. 

Our only negative is that hotels book up fast, so make reservations way ahead (like yesterday).

I noticed people that lots of the runners looked way older or more out of shape than me, so I've set a goal to run one by the time I'm 40 (I'm 38). I haven't really run since my kid's stopped fitting in my double jogger so it's going to be a project.  I've declared our new family motto to be: "We can do hard things". So this will be mine.

To avoid injury, I'm building up super slow-which totally goes against my personality.  I'm only running 3x/week and started w/ 1 mile each time.  I'm adding a 1/2 mile a week until I'm running 15 miles/ week.   If I can handle that, then I'll start the marathon training. It seems a little silly to go and change into workout clothes, for such short runs, but so far I'm up to 2 miles and not sore at all, so I think it's working.

My husband recommends the book,  Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, By Hall Higdon.  He followed the book and was able to run the entire 26.2 miles with out stopping. I think running is boring and reading about running would be worse, and  I wanted Scott just to make me up some sort of training plan, but he made me read the book too.  The book wasn't actually as boring as I feared and had lots of good advice.

Have you ever run a marathon?  Which one and do you recommend it? I'm looking for one that's organized, flat, and with nice weather.

 

Linking up here.