That’s the target, but not necessarily the goal. The goal is the Portland Full 26-Mile Marathon in October. I will blog about this after the Eugene Marathon.
Saturday, January 10th, was the first day to join a bunch of like-minded people who are pursuing walking the Eugene Marathon in May. There’s a choice of a 13-mile half or the 26-mile full marathon. I’m opting for the 13-mile walk.
Two years ago, I was thinking of prepping to join a half marathon. Ambition fizzled to every lame excuses that I could think of. I thought it’s better to be comfortable in own my laziness. It took 2 years to realize that I’m kidding myself for not taking this opportunity to be healthy and remain healthy. There’s really no excuse to get one’s toosh to workout for the benefit of self. Besides, I have to shake off 15-20 pounds (with the 20 as being ambitious) that have been hanging around me forever.
So far, I’ve made changes to my daily schedule to include an every-other-day walk, with Saturdays being the social and coach-tip walks. The Saturday walks always begin and/or end at Alton Baker. And here’s a description of the park and a bit of the marathon from Thistle Dew Too. It’s best that the description comes from a non-resident of Eugene. But to add to this, Alton Baker Park hugs the Willamette River. Awesome Willamette River!
The Saturday walk at Alton Baker is always inspirational as the public trail wounds up with having the park on one side and on the other, along the path of the river with its currents fast-moving and very, very cold. There are a few footbridges that one can cross to complete one’s walk/run/cycle. I believe, if I’m not mistaken, that there are more 15 miles of trails that one can easily practice on at this park that extends a bit to local neighborhoods in Springfield and Eugene.
As gorgeous as the park is and pleasant being in it, there are pockets of the park where there are only narrow trails and lots of trees. We were instructed to be safety-conscious; and if possible to walk with a companion or two. I, for one, prefer to walk alone. It clears my mind and I love self-contemplation and day-dreaming. Walking with someone makes me slow down and talk and would feel guilty or snobbish and be considered unfriendly. However, walking with a group puts me in touch with others with the same angst, inspiration, pain and joy of walking. So I like it both ways.
I truly find the walks fun and invigorating. I should have done this a long time ago, when I stopped competitive rowing. Anyway, nothing is lost.
Once the days get longer and longer; the early mornings getting lighter and lighter, I will add an after-work walk from my (where else!) work place to the new regional hospital along the bike paths by the McKenzie River. I will write more about McKenzie River next time I blog about my marathon training.
There’s a little 2-mile walk that I’d like to join in early February called Truffle Shuffle. It would test my endurance to speed walking. I’m excited!
