Pat's Story, (Iowa)
This marathon thing can become sort of addictive! While I was
training for my first I kept thinking I might be crazy. Those long
walks are killers! Especially if you are a slower walker because
you are committing 5-7 hours to walking every other weekend. And,
please understand I'm 53 years old, 40 pounds overweight, have a
small dose of chronic fatigue, and found every excuse in the world
not to "dress" for physical education in high school!
I have always enjoyed walking and the idea of walking a marathon
(or at least a long-distance walk) has been in the back of my mind.
I have a group of friends on the internet who either had or were
thinking of doing a marathon. One friend had done the Portland and
said it was extremely walker-friendly. And, I believe that is
important for the first time.
So, after the first of the year I signed up. I have been involved
in Volkswalking for several years and have walked fairly long
distances, but nothing like 26.2!
So, 18 weeks before the marathon I started training. I got a
training schedule off the internet that looked livable (but my
friend thought it was too stringent). You basically walked 4 miles
3 days a week every week, and on the weekend you do a "long" walk.
These start at 8 miles and build up to 24! (I never did the 24; the
most I did was 21 and I was fine on marathon day). The long walks
are like this week 1 - 8 miles; 2 - 10 miles; 3 - 8 miles; 4 - 12
miles; 5 - 8 miles; 6 - 14 miles, etc. The last two weeks of
training are a wonderful thing. They are "tapering" weeks and you
don't walk a lot on those weeks; the week of the marathon you are
encouraged to walk no more than 1-2 miles at a time.
The day before the marathon I have to admit to being REALLY afraid.
I kept thinking about how everyone here at home had looked at me in
horror and disbelief when they heard what I was planning to do. I
kept thinking I wasn't going to be able to do it and would have to
come home with my tail between my legs. My family was with me and
witnessed the total meltdown I had the night before the walk. I
just fell apart. But the morning of the walk was cool, clear, and
exciting. Being in the throngs of people starting the walk was
great. And, I never really had much trouble. The main trouble I had
on long walks was blisters and I had none on marathon day.
Portland respects the walkers and had lots of support along the
course. They clapped, whistled, gave us water/Gatorade, and kept
reinforcing that we were ATHLETES. The idea of ME being an athlete
was just what I needed around mile 20.
I have to say that, besides giving birth to my two wonderful
daughters, the completion of the marathon was my single most
self-directed accomplishment. For a long time afterward it would
suddenly pop into my mind "I walked a MARATHON" and I would feel
great! (Pat is now planning her second marathon.)
