Pre-training begins

2 days ago, I officially found out that I was accepted as a charity runner for Chicago (under 'late registration'- -can you believe 45,000 runners already signed up under 'normal registration'?)
I can't believe I'm really going to do it.
It scares me, and at the same time it excites me and gives me something to look forward to.

I had already contacted a coach, and he recommended some 'pre-training' to get me in shape for real training, which starts in August. Because when I say I'm not yet a 'runner' , I really mean it! I like taking short, slow jogs on nice trails or through pretty neighborhoods. And that's all. I maybe run 3-5 miles one or 2 days a week if I'm lucky.
Now, I'm starting a pre-training program to get me up to 4-10 miles, 4 or 5 days a week, by the end of July.

Looking at my worn-down Asics, I decided to go to the local Fleet Feet yesterday to see what I should do in terms of getting new shoes. I will admit that as a non-runner, Fleet Feet has always scared me a little. If you live near one, you probably know what I mean! Streams of fit, fast people with a whole different vocabulary (splits? pronation? what?) come in and out of the doors to the store, and I can't help but feel that I don't quite belong. But I gritted my teeth and went in anyway, and was pleasantly surprised to be helped by 2 very friendly young sales guys who did not at all make me feel like an outsider. We decided on some shoes, although they have to be ordered- it's a half size they don't stock-- and so sometime next week my feet should be feeling a little more comfortable and supported in my nice 'motion control' sneakers- -Asics Evolution.

I had a nice run today; my usual distance but trying to see how fast I can go without killing myself. At pretty much maximum sustainable effort, I am doing about 8:10 miles according to the marked course I was on. Hopefully this will change for the better over the coming months.

The neat running calculator I found online says that given my efforts today, I can expect with proper training to run a marathon in (**later edit: insert unreasonably fast time that I will not in my wildest dreams attain. . . ) .
Just finishing it would be awesome; I'm not taking anything for granted here!
But-- I can't help but think that it would be a great feeling to aim to shave off 6 of those predicted minutes and have a time goal of (**even more unreasonable, faster time) . Hopefully with more cardiovascular fitness, and maybe some pounds lost through training, that will be possible! Hey, a girl can always dream :)

More posts on my marathon journey to come!
peace for now,
rebecca