Running with a goal

Editor's note: Erin Moeller, 37, of Mount Vernon is a lifelong runner who qualified for the last two Olympic Marathon Trials. A native of Ryan, she's a graduate of North-Linn and Wartburg and works for Benchmark Inc. in Cedar Rapids. She and her husband, Andy, have three children - Ryne, Evelyn and Kellyn.

By Erin Moeller, community contributor

It's official.

I'm registered and slated to run the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon on May 17.

After weeks of building a base of mileage and considering various options, I finally chose a marathon I've run before, fits into our family's schedule and also one I feel I can potentially finish in 2 hours, 43 minutes (or faster) to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials.

Having run the Green Bay Marathon in the past, I feel comfortable with the course and also love that this is a race where our entire family can travel. With the start and finish at Lambeau Stadium, a moderate sized field of runners and a course that is easy for spectators to navigate, it makes race weekend much less stressful for our family to take in.

I'm really looking forward to seeing 'the crew” along the course as I make my way through 26.2 miles.

As you read these words, I already will be marking the end of my second official week of training - the first, a mere 66 miles (down from the previous week's 78 that I put in as a buildup to the actual training program). The first week concluded with my initial long run - 17 miles with 8 at marathon race pace. Admittedly, I wasn't sure if my body would be ready for this test. I am happy to share that (with a little support and encouragement from the fam as they paid periodic visits to me on the treadmill in our garage - brrr, it was cold outside the morning of the 28th - minus-17 degrees) I was able to complete the workout. Week 2 included another tough tempo run and a slight increase in total miles (week ending at 72 miles).

I continue to gain strength, endurance, and confidence with each run as I inch toward the big day. Patience with the training process and confidence in my body's abilities will be critical throughout the weeks that lie ahead.

Admittedly, as I consider the upcoming 10 weeks between now and race day, it's quite easy for me to become overwhelmed. Is there possibly enough hours in the day and energy in my body to keep up with work, keep up at home and manage to get the training in that is necessary to reach the finish line?

Only time will tell. For now, I continue to feed myself positive thoughts and rely on the encouragement from others as I continue down my path.

I have been so encouraged by the kind emails so many have offered. Thank you for sharing your 2015 goals and words of encouragement. Please keep them coming. Whether you are training for a particular run or working toward another goal you've set for yourself in 2015, I feel we're all in this together. Somehow knowing others are in a similar boat - one we're paddling hard and working to keep heading in the right direction - makes this whole process a lot more fun.

I'm not going to lie. I'd appreciate a little break from Mother Nature. I realize spring is likely just around the corner, but it's hard to believe in the single-degree temperatures and drifts of snow we have outside. Rest assured, the snow will melt, spring will return and May 17 will be here before I know it.

There are a lot of miles to be run between now and then - and lots of dreams to be had as I consider whether or not my goal is feasible. Regardless of whether it is or it isn't, I'm looking forward to the journey. Thanks so much for sharing it with me.

Be careful in the snow and cold, and remember to have a little fun while you're at it!

Send your comments to Erin at emoeller26.2@gmail.com