giving rise to action; staying fit and sane through running
I did something this morning that I’ve done a lot over the past 22+ years. I ran – alone.
When I first started running, it never occurred to me to run with others. I didn’t belong to a running club of any kind and I had no concept of pacing. I was of course aware of safety, and to achieve that I didn’t run late at night or any place that I deemed to be too desolate or a “sketchy” neighborhood. Read more
When I set out to train for my first marathon over twenty-one years ago, I thought a fall race presented the best opportunity. Even after my second marathon – a spring race – I still believed it was easier to train through the summer than the winter. Of course, I was in my 30s and heat didn’t bother me as much as it does now.
As a coach, and with the experience of having completed eight marathons (four fall and four spring), I will, whenever possible, steer my clients to a spring race. Training through the harsh conditions of winter, I have learned, provides a better opportunity for building what my coach referred to as “mental fortitude.” This is so necessary for staying focused and pushing through in the final miles of the 26.2-mile trek. Read more
The 2014 New Jersey Marathon was, by all accounts, easy. I was four years younger than I am now. I was also five pounds lighter (okay, maybe closer to ten). I was also coming off a year where I had run 13 half marathons, so I started my marathon training with a lot of miles in the bank already. When I started working with a coach, I had a goal to break my previous personal record for the marathon which was 4:11:16. Read more
Less than a week to go until showtime! This is when the last 16 weeks are reduced to a mantra: trust your training. There doesn’t seem to be much left that can be done that will get me any more ready for the marathon than I already am.
Last week we discussed the importance of proper rest, nutrition and hydration in the last two weeks, so assuming I’m practicing what I’m preaching (I am!), what else am I doing this week to assure I stay on course? Read more
This is spring break week here, so I’m going to make this brief so I can get back to trying to spend some quality time with my kid. Since she started driving a year ago – and turns 18 later this week – I have to take what time I’m given. Read more