Thanks everyone.

I am pleased that I inspired people to work out. That's great.

Serenity:

I trained for 6 months, beginning in August.

We started with a 3 mile run from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica Pier.

Then the runs got progressively longer and more challenging.

On some weekends, we would do smaller runs, such as 5k and 10k runs, just to work on time.

By around January we were up to 18 mile runs.

By Feb, we ran one 22 mile run and a 20 mile run then we dropped back down so that by mid-Feb, we were back at 8-10 miles.

If we went North (that's Venice down to Santa Monica up San Vicente to Brentwood and back around, the trail is dirt and easier on the joints). If we went South (damn the South route) we were on concrete and asphalt the entire time. From Venice to Manhattan Beach and back (that hurt).

I also altered my diet more than usual. Finally, the week before, I loaded up on carbs. I burned about 104 calories per mile and my hearrate was at a steady 151-161 beats per minte (for me that's 75-80% max) which is maximum fat burning zone.

I feel great now, but I was cursing Loas Angeles every mile past 13.

Hollywood Blvd. never seemed so looooooong http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks again everyone for the responses.

DELTABRAT, thanks for the info. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Wow! So you never ran 26.2 miles until the day of the marathon!?! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif Whoa! That is endurance! I can only imagine your exhilaration...

Way to go!

*I was there too, but only as a volunterr http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif*

Congrats DELTABRAT.

You are better than me.

I would have had to take a bathroom break or something lol

Or just stop to catch my breath.

REPRESENT!!!

go soror deltabrat...

i will use you as my inspiration.

i can see myself on the sidelines passed out from the first half block....i know pitiful http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif .

all that running would jumble up my organs! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

As of now, NO!

I truly believ that some people are "built" to run. I am NOT one of those people. I am in optimal condition to complete these types of tasks.

My body, physically, could not take the pounding. The entire run was on asphalt.

I will do half marathons and 30k runs (18 miles) at most. But next year, I will most likely compete in the cycling portion with my boyfriend (he ran with me Sunday and we both agreed). 27 miles on a bike is a WHOLE lot different than 26 miles on foot.

Additionally, we are taking rowing classes through UCLA and will begin training for sumer triathlons.

I will start small. Again, a 1/2 to 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6 mile run is doable because swimming and cycling is low/no impact sports. Running is VERY HIGH IMPACT.

Although I am fully recovered and have been since yesterday, it seems like a dream. It seems like I could possibly say "Sure, I'd do it again." Based on how I feel now. But you could not have asked me Sunday at mile 20 or Sunday when I got home and couldn't walk up the steps.

I LOVE to work out. It's important for me to be able to continue with my regimen and feel GOOD and refreshed afterwards or like I can continue whatever it is I am doing for hours and hours. Hmph! My hat goes off to the female winner of the LA MArathon. She had JUST won the Marathon in Texas on February 18th and then went on the win LA's Marathon http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

Some sunshine would have made me happier too though, so perhaps. I am addicted to fitness so I may. I guess I said all that for nothing.

CONGRATS http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Delta Gamma Pi MC Sorority