My Creation!

Here it is, folks. My Boston Marathon training program. Click on any month for a larger view. I welcome your comments.

5 Months to Go!

Five months from today I will be crossing the finish line of my first Boston Marathon, and I have, technically speaking, officially, kinda sorta, informally started my training plan. I'm still about 21 weeks away, but I can't wait to get started. I've had Boston on my mind a lot lately. I had been thinking that I would start training after Christmas, giving me about 4 months to get in shape, but I don't think I can wait that long. Plus, I'm getting tired of explaining to people that I am running the marathon, but haven't started training yet, but will start soon, and that's still enough time, etc.

Enough of my rambling, this is what I have planned so far:
For my last marathon, I kind of followed the FIRST marathon training program from the Furman Institute of Running, the plan I first read about in Runner's World magazine a year or two ago. In a previous post, I explained how this plan worked for me. I was very pleased with the results--PR and Boston qualifying time. I have now set the high goal of breaking 3 hours in Boston this year. I think this plan (or a slight variation thereof) will get me there.

This plan is 16 weeks long, so between now and the first week in January (16 weeks from the race), I plan to work on my speed and get my long run to about 10 miles. At that point, I will begin the FIRST plan of running three days a week (speed work, tempo run, long run). Last night, I started working out some of the details, and I hope to have things written down and a specific plan made in the next few days. And, of course, I will post the plan here for all to see. Maybe it will work for you when you formally, unofficially start your own training.

Virtual Race

Looking for a race to run? Don't want to pay those expensive registration fees? Don't want to travel far? Here is the race for you!

A couple fellow running bloggers (Nancy and Vickie) came up with this awesome idea--the 8 on the 8th Virtual Race. No matter where you are in the world, on December 8th (or the 7th or the 9th) go out and run 8 miles, on your own or with others, competing against other running bloggers (and anyone who would like to participate), and then blog about it, indicating your finishing time, sharing highlights, pictures, your route, etc. For more info and to "register," click on the link above or log into Runner's Lounge.

Here is the route I intend to use. Since there aren't any hills around where I live, it will be a pretty flat and (I hope) fast course. It's going to be a lot of fun, so run on out and join us!

Anyone Can Run!

I recently watched the latest Disney/Pixar movie, Ratatouille, with my wife and kids. The main character, a rat named Remy, is inspired by the great chef, August Gusteau, who asserts that "anyone can cook!" It takes effort, though. And drive and passion. Remy must team up with an awkward human in order to follow his dream of becoming a famous chef. It's a fun show. I recommend it.

Last night, I finally got around to watching a PBS/NOVA documentary that I recently heard about, called the NOVA Marathon Challenge. As part of some research from Tufts University, a group of 12 sedentary "non-athletes" are recruited to train for and run the 2007 Boston Marathon. NOVA documents their 40 weeks of training, injuries, personal triumphs and disappointments, and, of course, the marathon itself. The science and physiology of exercise and endurance training are also examined as the participants take strides toward reaching their goals and achieving what they had previously perceived as impossible.

The documentary is almost an hour long, broken into 5 chapters, each about 10 minutes long. I was inspired by watching it, not only because I will be training for my first Boston Marathon this winter, but also because, similar to Gusteau, it has always been my belief that running is something anyone can do if the desire is there--"Anyone can [run]!"

To check out the film or to read more about the Challenge, click here.

2008 Olympic Trials Marathon

I know this is old news for just about every one out there, but I wanted to share this video. Maybe you've seen it, but I hadn't. I don't really watch TV, so this is the first I've seen of any of the coverage for the marathon. I know these guys are fast... but WOW! These guys are really moving! It is amazing that they can keep that pace for 26.2 miles. And they make it look so easy! I can't do that for even 1 mile (although, I plan to break a 5-minute mile sometime in the not-so-distant future). So, sit back, relax (in a state of awe and amazement, of course) and check this out:

Feeling Sore

Isn't funny how a runner, who regular logs in the miles or trains for a marathon while never getting really sore, but then goes out and does a short sprint and can't imagine being more sore? Luckily, I've already learned this lesson, and remembered to stretch a little last night.

Last night, I went to a church activity (BBQ and ultimate Frisbee). If you're not familiar with ultimate Frisbee, it is sort of like football with a Frisbee but everybody is a wide receiver as well as the quarterback. This game requires a lot of sprinting and play doesn't stop until a team scores a touchdown. It is an interesting game, and a lot of fun. But really tiring. I woke up this morning feeling a little sore, but not nearly as bad as the last time I had to do some sprinting.

That was at the end of last school year. Field Day at the elementary school where I worked. 400 meeter relay. 6th graders versus the teachers. I was running the third leg, just like I did in high school. Well, we destroyed the students in the race, but the next few days were awful! I couldn't believe how sore I was. It's funny because I could go out and run 15 miles and not feel a thing the next day, but running 100 meters was painful.

As I said earlier, I stretched a little last night so I am not too sore, but it brought back memories of that fun and short race.