Let the fun begin

Monday ... the start of training for a small race called the Columbus Marathon.

And by Monday, I mean the six days ago Monday.

It's a little fact I realized on Thursday when I realized the big star next to June 18 on my calendar to indicate the beginning of training was based on an 18-week plan and the schedules I had most recently considered were 20 weeks.

No biggie. Just my first marathon. It's sort of like missing homeroom on the first day of school.

Much of Thursday was spent in a panic trying to decide on an actual training plan as opposed to the passive web browsing I had done a couple weeks ago.

The options:

• Hal Higdon Novice 2. I have used Hal Higdon plans in the past, and I have found them to be sufficient in getting me across the finish line. I liked the Novice 2 plan because it started out with an 8-mile long run and did include 1 20-miler. However, I was a bit taken aback by just how much you go up and down with long runs. This plan is 18 weeks, which is nice because it would mean I wasn't late starting it.
• "Train Like a Mother." Finish It. I've had the "Train Like a Mother" book on my desk for ages (it was sent to the newspaper) and I keep meaning to put it in the charity sale pile. I picked it up and flipped through it, and I was drawn to the plans higher mileage and variety of workouts. This plan is 20 weeks and does assume a base fitness, making it a poor choice for beginners. It also has long runs on Saturdays, which really throws me off as I'd have to rearrange the plan to accommodate BODYPUMP and Sunday long runs.
• Runner's World. You have to pay for those found online. Eff no. I did briefly consider grabbing my back issues but that's time consuming, and I am lucky if I get through one before the new one arrives.
• Marathon Rookie. I liked that this plan has just four days of running, my sweet spot, but it's only 16 weeks and there are no cut back weeks. I'm thinking I might like those.
• Marathon Training Schedule II. A Daily Mile pal suggested this 18-week plan but I think it's a bit too advanced for me. It relies on a buildup schedule, and there's a 20-miler in week 8. Yikes!
• Cool Running. I found this beginner plan to be quite interesting. It starts off with relatively low mileage but the long runs ramp up to include four 20+ mile runs, including a 26-miler. I always feel better at the half distance knowing I've ran 12 or 13 miles so the heavy mileage was something to consider.

And, the winner is ... drum roll please ...

"Train Like a Mother" (#TLAM from here on out). The plan is one that is going to challenge me. In fact, I felt my stomach drop as I made my own spreadsheet to tweak the long runs and make it fridge friendly. However, I think the mileage buildup is manageable and there are easy runs that will be good for a break.

I am curious how BODYPUMP will fit into all of this. None of the beginning marathon plans really address strength training though #TLAM does have cross training and fun workouts included. I think there are just going to be days where I do both and if I get my body used to it, I should be fine.

Physically, that is.

Note: I don't want to post the training schedule as it's in a book that people pay for. However, I could designate a day where I update you on training. Marathon Monday sounds nice ... anyway, is this something y'all would be interested in. Let me know in the comments.