The reluctant marathoner

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Lance Adeszko, and his daughter, Kate, 13, left. Adeszko is the director of sales interactive for Sun-Times Media, has never run a full marathon until this year. As he trained, he posted some of his thoughts at blogs.suntimes.com/chicagomarathon. Provided photo.

Updated: November 16, 2011 8:31AM

Lance Adeszko, Vice President — Interactive Media for Sun-Times Media, has never run a full marathon — but he’s going for it on Sunday. As he trained, he posted some of his thoughts at blogs.suntimes.com/chicagomarathon/

June 22: OK. Today I turn 51. At this point in most people’s lives they are settled into their careers, family lives and daily routines. They don’t like change. For me, change is about to happen. I made a decision.

Well, to be honest, I’ve been pressured into a decision. It’s one I’ve put off for many years. I’ve made a ton of excuses to not do something. Isn’t that human nature? We all put things off longer than we should.

Over the years, I’ve run 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and a host of Ks in between. Inevitably, I’d be asked, “Have you ever run a marathon?” I would somewhat ashamedly answer, “No”. I had a ton of excuses. In my early 30s I didn’t have the time. In my mid 30s I couldn’t make the time commitment because of my children . . . they needed me. By 40, I was getting too old. In my middle 40s, I decided that marathons were too hard on the human body and we weren’t built for that sort of mileage, punishment and torture. By 50, I felt that I didn’t have anything left to prove.

My company is the media sponsor for the Chicago Marathon. I’ve been pressed on all sides to run and blog on my experience and training.

I’ve only agreed to do this because the editorial staff and marketing team guarantee me that I will get at least one date from doing this blog.

June 23: I finished my 4.5 mile run in just over 32 minutes before an afternoon thunderstorm hit. It occurred to me that I needed to start pacing myself for a marathon. I can’t run like I’m doing my usual 3-5 mile jaunts whereby my two speeds are: “way too fast and off.” I need to start thinking about slowing down for the long haul.

July 1: I was talking to one of my friends the other night when I heard three words I hate to hear: “You’re too thin.” The runner’s curse. I have that runner’s build despite my best efforts to beef up with a balanced workout regimen that includes weight lifting.

Here are some things I plan to do:

† Eat 6-8 small meals per day, rather than 3 large meals. This helps keep your metabolism more even throughout the day. When you get hungry, you’re body stores fat and tends to burn muscle.

† Eat protein-rich foods like tuna, chicken and lean meats.

† The new school of thought is that what we eat two days before our long runs is more important than what we eat the day before. If you are going to carbo load . . . do it two days before your long run.

July 5: You wouldn’t believe the circus that takes place in my imagination while I’m running. I solve world problems. I hold both sides of several conversations that never have happened or will ever happen. I talk to myself. I encourage myself. I calculate time, distance and mph. All runners play some sort of mental mind game to get through the grind.

July 11: Last weekend I ran the longest distance I’ve run since the Rock and Roll Half Marathon last August. It was a mere 11 miles early Sunday morning in mild temperatures. The following day my training program called for a day of rest. Instead, I decided that I felt fine and would add 4 miles to my Nikes. The first mile I could hear my hamstrings stretching and screaming. The next 3 miles were filled with pain and completed at a much slower pace than normal for me. My muscles were burnt out, exhausted, worn down.

It took the entire week for me to recover from that blatant disregard for my training program.

Aug. 22: Today while running 18 miles I had a mental breakdown. I was feeling pretty well. Knees were fine. No hip pain. But, as I ran I kept asking myself: “Why am I doing this?” This is crazy. I’m spending 2.5 hours on a Sunday morning on the trails in constant motion like a shark swimming through water . . . never stopping. The whole time I kept telling myself that I have nothing left to prove. I know I can do this. I know I’ll finish. Why put myself through this?

Mental breakdowns are almost worse than physical breakdowns. You can run through pain, take ibuprofen and ice sore joints and muscles afterward. The mental stuff is harder.

Sept. 29: Race bibs are currently available on Craig’s list and a host of other websites from those who have already quit. Some just gave up. Others may have gotten injured. Many just decided that what seemed like a good idea at the time they signed up isn’t quite such a good idea now or worth the effort. Good luck to those of you still hanging in there. I’ll see you in Grant Park.