This is going to be the toughest one yet
I already know that Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge 2012 is going to be my toughest year yet. For some reason, this one—my fifth year training with DFMC and running the Boston Marathon—will feel like my first year. All the pressure, same stresses, and some new “unknowns.” My first year I didn’t know how I would ever get to 26.2 miles. My fifth year, the stress I know I’ll deal with, is not knowing how I’ll run a sub 4:00 marathon.
This year it’s personal. When someone who has run more than 30 marathons, has qualified for Boston a number of times, and is now a cancer survivor, tells you that you can run a 3:45 marathon, then I guess that sets the bar. I know I have many coaches in my corner, but I think this year I have more people pushing me who know that I have to set my expectations really high.
I don’t know what it takes to run a 3:45. I don’t know if I can. I start each year thinking I can, but this time I have to figure out how to do it. The next 5 and a half months will be one of my greatest personal challenges. I’m ready for it.
