No Paine, no gain
“Behind every kind of beautiful thing there is some kind of pain.” – Bob Dylan
I have the name Paine, so its always about pain for me. But with the pain, the struggle of training, we all hope for the joy of the finish line, the feeling of accomplishment or the jubilation of a new personal best.
I’ve decided to commit to some pain in 2014. I have made a resolution to eat more vegetables and to try to set a new PB in the marathon. I also decided that, while I will continue to profile Canadian runners as often as I can, I am giong to update readers on my quest: the ups and downs, the advice and lessons learned along the way. Canadian Running magazine has allowed me to blog about this. They have always been supportive and patient with me, I tend to have more ideas than time!
I’m still working on the vegetable thing, but here is plan for marathon PB.
The plan
Under the guidance of top Canadian marathoners and Olympians Reid Coolaset and Eric Gillis, using a online training program they work with called Vicsystem, support from New Balance Canada, Polar Canada, the Ottawa Marathon and my friend Alli, I will attempt to train properly and as hard as I can to push myself to a new marathon best in the spring of 2014.
Where I am starting from
- Aged 38
- Running since age 12
- Marathon PB of 2:54 set at my first marathon
- Receding hairline and getting slower as we speak
- Like to train but mentally weak on race day
- Like Oreos and Dr. Pepper
Following the foolishness
I will be blogging on my progress on my Canadian Running magazine blog about twice a month between stories about runners I meet. On a personal blog to accompany this one, I will have more information about my training, workouts, those who are supporting me and information that may help your own goals. I will also talk about how I feel and my battles with training.
I will be working with my support crew to provide information on how to use the best training plans and methods, proper running gear, nutrition and metal preparation for any runner.
Join me right here on Canadian Running as I push a tired, middle-aged body, with a busy schedule towards a marathon PB. I am used to writing about others, but opening up and hoping what I share you can relate to, laugh or muse about or simply find interesting or helpful.
Life is often too short and filled with surprises. Grab opportunities when they arise and see where they lead.
Run on my friends.
See you on the roads or in the blogosphere.
Do you have a story to tell or a comment – love to hear from you!
*I’ll be personally buying a subscription to Canadian Running for a new follower in January! It’s my way to give back and say Happy New Year!
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