Marathon to success

For about the last 2-3 weeks I've been going back and forth with my significant other and my own subconscience on whether I should be allowed to do the half marathon or suck it up and train for the full.  Here's the thing the first time I did a full marathon was about 6 years ago and I had horrible knee problems.  I was running with braces on both knees and taking advil before, during, and after each training run.  I still did it and I can say been there done that!  Then I started getting back into triathlons because (after the fact) I found out all that horrible knee pain went away when I included cross training.  It appears the cycling and swimming helped strengthen the muscles that held my knee cap in it's proper place or something like that.  Since then I've done a handful of half marathons and the only other marathon I've done was part of my Ironman. 

One thing that helps keep this relationship together has been how active we both are, we have many differences, but one thing we have in common is the need for adrenaline and/or endorphine producing sports.  He has been a little jealous however that I have certain things marked off my list.  So it was his idea to train for a marathon together and that it wouldn't be the same if I just did the half.  I tried to convince him that way I could be at the finish to cheer for him but he wasn't buying it.  So I've given in and I'm training for the full but am going to try and include plenty of cross training, ab work and weight lifting.  So far we are only on week 2 of training and I've kicked butt the last few runs.  Which is odd, I know it's just a matter of time before he's passing me, he's usually way faster. 

The good news is it appears my ankle has 100% recovered from the sprain (about 2-3 months later!) because there has been no more swelling after workouts.  Also it has made it easier to stick to the other healthy habbits I was trying to get back on track with.  Here's to hoping this is what will allow that extra weight to fall off.  Now the trick is to incorporate the ski season into my training.  I might have to do some long runs on a week night in order to do some skiing on the weekends.....  So far I like the idea of winter marathon training because my body does not like the heat so it seems I'm able to run faster with the cooler temps.

The marathon is in Sedona in February on Valentine's weekend so that will be our present to eachother.  And this should put me in good enough shape to start next summer's triathlon season in best form.  Yay I'm back on the scene!