While it may seem that everyone from Oprah to Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers has done a marathon, it's still a formidable check on bucket list. It takes a huge amount of courage to sign up for the marathon, but after you shell out the money and take the plunge, there's a moment of "oh shit, what did I just commit to?!"
Well never fear: If you are running a spring marathon, be it Vermont City Marathon or another spring classic, start tuning into the Run Down, where I'll be guest blogging through the fall, winter and spring about all sorts of issues related to the marathon from picking a training plan and a running shoe, to surviving the winter doldrums. I'll still be blogging here as well, including lots of entries on my own path from here to VCM 2012.
As John "the Penguin" Bingham says, "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." Signing up is the start of an incredible experience. Like most things worth doing, the marathon has its ups and downs, but I don't know many people who have completed one who wished they hadn't. So be courageous. Sign up to run a spring marathon, then tune in here and on the RunDown for everything you'll need from start to finish.
Showing posts with label RunVermont. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RunVermont. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Decision 2011
While I'm no King James, I've been wrestling with what my next target race should be. I have a little less than 2 years before medical school, during which time I would really like to get my Trials standard. I'm operating under the assumption that for at least the first two years of medical school, the only running I'll be doing is between the library and my bed.
I want a course that is tough enough to benefit my tough-it-out style. I want a course with great crowd support. I want a race morning that is easy and predictable. I want to know every uphill, downhill and flat between mile 1 and 26. In short, I want to control every variable except for the weather. I loved City of Oaks with its quad busting hills, but hated running alone for 8 miles. I hated pretty much everything about Vegas. Boston was a brutal course with unbelievable support. So what's a girl to do when she wants to make big strides (well, little ones if you've ever seen me run) towards a Trials standard?
Man, this is very tough. My heart will always be around Vermont. This Spring, I'll be taking my talents to the Vermont City Marathon on May 27th, 2012.
Want to join me on an epic weekend in Burlington? Registration opens tomorrow.
I want a course that is tough enough to benefit my tough-it-out style. I want a course with great crowd support. I want a race morning that is easy and predictable. I want to know every uphill, downhill and flat between mile 1 and 26. In short, I want to control every variable except for the weather. I loved City of Oaks with its quad busting hills, but hated running alone for 8 miles. I hated pretty much everything about Vegas. Boston was a brutal course with unbelievable support. So what's a girl to do when she wants to make big strides (well, little ones if you've ever seen me run) towards a Trials standard?
Man, this is very tough. My heart will always be around Vermont. This Spring, I'll be taking my talents to the Vermont City Marathon on May 27th, 2012.
Want to join me on an epic weekend in Burlington? Registration opens tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Pace Yourself
I’ve been pretty quiet since Boston. Between trying to regain some footing after a crazy couple of weeks, the end of the semester and post-marathon blues, I haven’t had much to say about running that is appropriate for a blog. Despite the rainy day and a forecast for nine more days of rain, recovery is wrapping up. I’m heading into a very busy race season, with a focus on short, faster races. Before that transition, however, I’m excited to serve as a 4:15 Pacer for the Vermont City Marathon.
Not only do I get to run a beautiful course, I get to engage in the activity I like almost as much as running: talking! I am looking forward to getting to know some new people, to being part of many people’s first marathon and to celebrating a great weekend in Vermont.
Howard, my fellow 4:15-er, and I have been talking a lot about our approach. A 4:15 pace comes out to a 9:45 average pace. However, since Howard and I are slightly imperfect, it is unlikely that we will run a perfectly even race and perfect tangents. Thus, we are planning a 9:35 pace, which allows us a little time for crowds, hills and water stops. We will aim to run almost even splits; banking time is rarely a good idea in a marathon. While you might have a slightly positive split, it’s best to pick a pace you can hold for the entire race and stay there. The hardest places to do this are the beginning, when tapered legs feel amazing and your chosen pace feels like a jog. Resist the urge to go too fast. It will come back to bite you in the last few miles.
Interested in joining a pace group at Vermont City? There’s a whole bunch of us from 3:30 to 5:30. More information available here and at the Expo. We will also be leading two preview runs the day before the marathon, where you have the opportunity to run either the start (great opportunity to practice your patient approach to pacing) or the finish (great mental activity).
Run On.
S
Not only do I get to run a beautiful course, I get to engage in the activity I like almost as much as running: talking! I am looking forward to getting to know some new people, to being part of many people’s first marathon and to celebrating a great weekend in Vermont.
Howard, my fellow 4:15-er, and I have been talking a lot about our approach. A 4:15 pace comes out to a 9:45 average pace. However, since Howard and I are slightly imperfect, it is unlikely that we will run a perfectly even race and perfect tangents. Thus, we are planning a 9:35 pace, which allows us a little time for crowds, hills and water stops. We will aim to run almost even splits; banking time is rarely a good idea in a marathon. While you might have a slightly positive split, it’s best to pick a pace you can hold for the entire race and stay there. The hardest places to do this are the beginning, when tapered legs feel amazing and your chosen pace feels like a jog. Resist the urge to go too fast. It will come back to bite you in the last few miles.
Interested in joining a pace group at Vermont City? There’s a whole bunch of us from 3:30 to 5:30. More information available here and at the Expo. We will also be leading two preview runs the day before the marathon, where you have the opportunity to run either the start (great opportunity to practice your patient approach to pacing) or the finish (great mental activity).
Run On.
S
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