Funny how this always seems to happen… but as it happens, I’ve learned to cope and adjust to those peculiar things that derail our plans and best efforts.

I just didn’t expect to have to do so THIS soon on my journey.

I made the commitment yesterday morning. I decided to apply to the Houston Marathon under the “Run for a Reason” charity campaign, choosing the Houston Food Bank as the recipient of any fundraising. I knew it would be a strange experience going through the motions. I’d never done ANY kind of race that required registration on my part, and payment details to be held in reserve, anything like that. I once did a charity 5K with my college History Club many years ago (I think the cause that year was Darfur and raising money to help folks there), but it was more of a sign-up thing because it was such a short distance, and about awareness.

This is a whole new ball game, and I saw that I have 240 days to prepare for the Marathon (20 more to raise the pledged minimum), get my strength training in, my endurance built up, research best eating habits and concerns for all of the above… and then today happened.

I woke up to major irritating cramps and my cycle starting. Which means my anemia makes me sluggish, even when taking iron tablets (I just have to up them a bit more the next few days… but it doesn’t help on a surprise day 1 like today) and exercise is more like short bursts of restless activity rather than a planned event.

This is something that happens often when I want to make changes, and I’m guessing the excitement of new ideas is a part of my cycle, too, in some strange way. I make all these plans and then BAM!… laid low by cramps or other lower body pains made famous by this woman’s issue.

Frustrating, and not as predictable as I would like, so preparation is difficult. But now that I’m getting more in tune with my new organizational skills, perhaps I can stave off the worst effects of this annoyance in the future. Heaven forbid I get laid low on so many training days.

But it got me thinking about other ways I need to prepare for the Marathon, and I started looking into some articles and videos. What became apparent to me in the past hour is the need to test out what equipment I’ll need to have with me for race day, the clothes (and best deodorant) to run in… and my minimalist shoes. I figured I’d better look for a nearby race in the middle of these 240 days, something like a 5K or 10K so I can “test drive” what I have and think I will need for the much longer marathon.

And this makes me wish I’d come to this realization sooner. But now is better than never.

Thankfully, I found a site when I was browsing the internet last month, looking for other Houston-area races or charity events I could participate in. It’s called Find A Race and they have UK and US versions. I was hoping to find a run closer to home (I’m east of Houston and most runs seem to occur in parks and older paths in the south or West parts of downtown, which is an hour in good traffic from me). I can’t go to very many events because of the commute, the expense (entry fee and parking), and missing several work opportunities a month would be too dumb to contemplate in my current situation.

But a few shorter runs would be a great idea because they can give me feedback I’m going to need. I don’t have anyone around me who would even attempt what I’m doing, nor would they be helpful because they’ve never tried to do running events, so I’m going to have to learn by example and research. Lots and lots of research.

Just one more thing to add to the list, I suppose. At least I’m getting better at this planning schtick and still finding the possibilities exciting. I know down the line I’m gonna be hit with the “what-if’s” and doubts, but for now I’m naïve and stupid enough to try anything.

I just hope that enthusiasm wins out above all else, because that’s what I’m running on.