Twenty six is the number of miles in a marathon. Twenty six is also the age I turned fourteen days ago. Three years ago when I was twenty three I started my running journey. I remember the days when running a mile without stopping seemed like a difficult task. I gradually worked my way up while training for a local race the Pistol Pete 5K in my hometown of Perkins, Oklahoma. I caught the running bug on that race day. This year, I set an ambitious set of goals to complete. My first running oriented goal that I set out to complete was to run 10 miles total without stopping. I completed that goal on March 22nd.
My second running goal was to complete a half marathon. I set my sights on the Fleet Feet Half Marathon on May 14th. I began training in late January and I was consistently putting in 15-25 mile weeks. I was half marathon ready in late March. As I began increasing mileage, I started to feel an increasing pain in my right tendon near the front of my calf but, I continued to run through the pain (don't do that). On March 31st, I couldn't even run half of a mile. I thought my half marathon goal was out of reach. I had to take a month off completely from running. I ran two more times in late April for a total of 4 miles and I had tendon pain afterwards. Prior to my injury, my original goal was to finish my half marathon in under two hours. I changed my goal after my injury to just be able to complete the half and have a pain free run. On May 14th, I completed my first half marathon with very little training and zero pain.
My last running goal that I set for 2016 is to run a full marathon. In November, I will attempt to complete that goal at The Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa. Andrea usually asks me why would I want to pay money to run in races since running is free and she also asks what cause or charity the race fee funds go to for the races that I'm entering. The answer to her first question is I like running in races because they are addictive. I know I'm not going to win a race or even place very well but the atmosphere, adrenaline, and challenging yourself physically on race day is unlike anything else. The answer to her second question is, I usually don't know what the race funds go towards. So for my first marathon I am committing to run it for a local charity. The funds that I help raise will go to The Tulsa Area United Way. The United Way funds essential non-profits that make a difference in the community and in people's lives. Some of the non profits include Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Red Cross, Tulsa Boys Home, Youth Services of Tulsa (Andrea's Employer!), just to name a few. Help me by contributing to this cause and help me complete my goal of finishing my first marathon! Please click the link and donate!https://www.crowdrise.com/tulsaareaunitedway1/fundraiser/calebcarroll
My second running goal was to complete a half marathon. I set my sights on the Fleet Feet Half Marathon on May 14th. I began training in late January and I was consistently putting in 15-25 mile weeks. I was half marathon ready in late March. As I began increasing mileage, I started to feel an increasing pain in my right tendon near the front of my calf but, I continued to run through the pain (don't do that). On March 31st, I couldn't even run half of a mile. I thought my half marathon goal was out of reach. I had to take a month off completely from running. I ran two more times in late April for a total of 4 miles and I had tendon pain afterwards. Prior to my injury, my original goal was to finish my half marathon in under two hours. I changed my goal after my injury to just be able to complete the half and have a pain free run. On May 14th, I completed my first half marathon with very little training and zero pain.
My last running goal that I set for 2016 is to run a full marathon. In November, I will attempt to complete that goal at The Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa. Andrea usually asks me why would I want to pay money to run in races since running is free and she also asks what cause or charity the race fee funds go to for the races that I'm entering. The answer to her first question is I like running in races because they are addictive. I know I'm not going to win a race or even place very well but the atmosphere, adrenaline, and challenging yourself physically on race day is unlike anything else. The answer to her second question is, I usually don't know what the race funds go towards. So for my first marathon I am committing to run it for a local charity. The funds that I help raise will go to The Tulsa Area United Way. The United Way funds essential non-profits that make a difference in the community and in people's lives. Some of the non profits include Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Red Cross, Tulsa Boys Home, Youth Services of Tulsa (Andrea's Employer!), just to name a few. Help me by contributing to this cause and help me complete my goal of finishing my first marathon! Please click the link and donate!https://www.crowdrise.com/tulsaareaunitedway1/fundraiser/calebcarroll