Gym Rat v. Couch Potato

I had such high hopes. Every year, I say I’m going to train for the Northern Central Rail Trail relay marathon that I run with my sister. We did it in 2007, 2008, and 2010 (missed getting one of the 40 relay spots in 2009). Every year, I log a few 5-9 mile runs in October and November and then manage to pull out 13.1 miles on raceday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

This year, realizing my rugby season would be over October 15th, I committed myself to schoolwork and hitting the gym. I drew up a master plan - I had forty days to get myself in shape for a sub-2 hour half marathon. I’ve consistently run 2:05 with some training, so that was a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. I miss Liz Dilley and her motivational posters!). I signed up for Northeastern’s group fitness pass, which gives me access to spinning, yoga, and seventy-three other classes per week.

I did great for 3 weeks.



Then a combination of finals and being sick knocked me out. I was exhausted and coughing and had zero workouts for two weeks straight before the race. I desperately tried to resell my race entry on Twitter, to no avail, and the race directors were less than understanding. So, I am now the proud owner of a very overpriced cooler-duffle, the race premuim. Hoping to get back into the gym routine when I start co-op in a few days...