Mini-Marathon Training

I'm currently training for the mini-marathon, which is in Louisville the last weekend of April. I've been following the on-line training schedule, and it's driving me crazy. It's been tough, but I do find it a lot like prayer - the perseverance part. I find it difficult to follow the schedule at times, but I do my best to stick to it whether I feel like it or not. Just like with prayer, it's so easy to come up with excuses. I'm tired. It's late. I have so many other things to do.

Believe me, there are lots of times I don't want to exercise. I come home. I'm tired. It's the last thing I want to do, especially since it's cold and gets dark so early (at least that's my excuse until it doesn't work anymore). Some nights, I'm stuck in the basement doing an exercise video.

Once I get started, however, . . . . . well, even after I've gotten started, it's difficult. I try to stay focused on the current moment. I'm even reading Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, which is all about staying in the present moment. Despite this, I haven't been able to apply this mindfulness to my training. 98% of the time I'm exercising is spent wondering, "When's this going to be over?" or "Am I there yet?" I think one day I'll get there and will enjoy the "now" rather than the future when it's over.

Sometimes I pray the rosary while I'm walking. Do you know how many rosaries you can pray in 6 miles?

The actual mini-marathon is 13.1 miles. With the training schedule, the number of miles increases each week. (Why am I doing this again????)

I went to my mom's this weekend and did my best to stay faithful to the schedule. It was nice weather so I borrowed my mom's lighter jacket. When I told her I was going to walk 6 miles, she said, "Be careful. My jacket's never gone 6 miles before. It may attack you." Luckily I came home unscathed.

Just like with personal prayer, I'm doing my best to stay faithful to the daily schedule. It ain't easy, but I pray for perseverance. I have a goal in mind which keeps me going.