Marathon Training Blog
September 24, 2008
Fitting In The Longer Runs
When I walked in my door Sunday night, it was midnight, and my running buddy and I had just finished a 14-miler. It can be hard to schedule those time-eating mega-milers!
When I see "long run" on my calendar, it means not only spending a two-hour chunk of time on the loop, but also taking a few hours to recover afterward.The thing is, I love to run, and training is important to me. But there are other activities that make me happy, too.
This weekend I was booked solid. On Friday night and all day Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., I was working with an amazing group of people to finish up a volunteer project for the Press Club. I had signed on six months ago and this was our final weekend of production. I wanted to be there every minute to see the project come together.Saturday was out because I awoke to torrents of rain pelting my window—and they never let up.
So when to run?
It would have to be Sunday night, because I also committed to this marathon, and I want to see that through. For me, long runs are the crucial part of training. So I asked my pal if he'd join me when I got home, even if it was late.
The hardest part was getting out there, but as soon as we took off the laughs began. "What's with all the granola bars stuffed into your sports bra and bulging from your pockets?" he teased.
I told him to mind his own business and we settled into our pace. And in the quiet calm of the park, we ran and ran and ran.Q: Are you finding it tough to pencil in your long runs? What's your workaround?
—JulieSeptember 23, 2008
The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner
I've always been a bit of a loner when it comes to running. I enjoy going out by myself, on my own time. I see it as an opportunity to crank up my iPod and clear my head. I like to decide when I run and, truth be told, most running clubs start way too early in the morning for me. Plus, finding a training partner with the same pace, schedule and commitment level can be challenging. But there are times, usually on those long, lonesome runs, when I wish I had some company.
After a month of trying to coordinate a running date with a good friend, the stars finally aligned and we did a 12-miler together. As we chatted, I didn't even glance at my watch, and when I started to fade at the end, she kept me going. I realized it was nice having someone take the journey with me. Maybe there is something to this group thing.
After my positive experience as a running twosome, last week I broke down and decided to try out a local running club after work. Following a brief introduction, we split into different pace groups and did a track workout that focused on speed. I started off with the slowest runners, but realized I was holding back after a few times around the track. I joined a faster pace group and suddenly felt like I was sprinting. My chest burned and my legs ached, but I pushed myself to keep up with the others. The motivation and support of my fellow runners made me go farther and faster than I would have on my own. As I said goodbye to my new running buddies, they urged me to stay for the post-race snack. Did someone say food?! Once I saw the spread of fruit and bagels, I was sold on the running club concept. I guess I'm not such a loner, after all.
—AllaSeptember 22, 2008
The Talk
During that long run I did with my friend Emily, we had "the talk." Em's pace is faster than mine, and her goals for this marathon differ from mine, too. (I really just want to finish standing; she wants to improve upon her best race time).
We pledged to each go our own speed during the race; we're not going to feel obliged to run shoulder-to-shoulder. That way, we can both achieve our goals.
While we'll finish at different times, Em and I feel like we'll still be running "together," and we know that we'll definitely be able to meet up at the finish line for a big ol' celebration.
Q: If you're running a marathon, have you had "the talk" with your running buddy yet?
September 19, 2008
Queen of Supplies...& Stamina
I ran my first 13-miler with my friend Emily.She runs a little faster than I do. During our training run in Central Park, she amazed me when, instead of continuing to forge ahead, she turned around at mile 6 to bring me a granola bar. Then at mile 12, she ran toward me with a water bottle.
"You're looking good!" she said."Oh my God, I have to stop right now," I said, halting with a worried look on my face.
After mile 9, I had really started tuning into what my body was doing (and apparently I was tuning out everything else a little too much!) Three miles later I suddenly noticed this odd sensation on my skin.
"I think something strange is going on with my body. I'm sweating more than ever, and I can actually feel the sweat popping out all over my arms!"
She laughed so hard I thought she'd fall over.
"Yeah, those are called rain drops," she said. "Keep running."
After we finished mile 13, I heard Em say, "I feel great!" I have to admit, my outlook wasn't quite as chipper.
In these next weeks of training, the toughest of them all, I'll miss seeing her smiling face as she runs back to check up on me, with food and water in hand and stamina to boot. You just don't find friends like that every day.
Q: Have you had luck finding people to go on long runs with you?
—JulieSeptember 18, 2008
Hands-free Running
When you're out running for hours at a time, you need supplies: water, energy gel and money (in case of emergencies—like needing to take a cab home!). I always run with my driver's license as well. I joke that it's in case I get hit by a bus and the authorities need to identify my body (my mother doesn’t find this funny), but accidents do happen, so it’s always a good idea to carry ID. Throw my keys and iPod into the mix and I have my hands full. For some reason, most running shorts come with one thimble-size pocket, so alternate means of storage are necessary.
I used to train with a running belt—think fanny pack—but it was cumbersome and uncomfortable. Then I tried stuffing my pocket, shorts and sports bra with all the necessities, but my keys rattled the whole time (everyone could hear me coming) and things started sliding around. My latest solution is a handy shoe wallet that holds essentials and attaches to my sneaker laces. Now that I don’t have to juggle all my stuff, I can focus on my form.
How do you carry your running supplies? Take our survey and tell us about your running habits.
—AllaSeptember 17, 2008
Planning a Running Getaway
My friend Emily (who I’m doing my first marathon with) lives in
Originally, we wanted to head to
It was so refreshing to break out of my urban training routine. I tend to run the same loop…a lot. It’s close to my house, and it’s the perfect distance for my medium- and long-distance outings. A running trip allowed my friend and I to check out some stunning new scenery as we logged our miles.
Every day that dawned sunny and clear, we ran the boardwalk that ribbons through the island. In our downtime we talked about our hopes and fears for the upcoming marathon. I’m glad we made a getaway plan in the beginning, before we even started training. The trip was the perfect marker: We’re halfway there!
Q: Are you planning a running getaway to change up your training scenery?
September 16, 2008
Reaching the Half-Way Point
The time has come for me to register for a half-marathon. Luckily, there’s going to be one this weekend.
Finishing this race successfully will be a good step in completing the marathon on October 26. The half will give my body and brain a primer for what’s to come and let me test out starting at a slower pace.
Usually, as soon as the horn sounds at the starting line, I’m dashing off and weaving around runners as fast as I can. That strategy is not going to fly on marathon day. I’d keel over by mile 15! In order to make it 26.2 miles, I’ll have to maintain a 10-minute mile pace.
You may want to look into half-marathons in your area as well, so you can get an extra boost of running confidence on your road to the marathon.
Q: Are you planning on running a half before the full marathon?—Julie
September 15, 2008
What I Did Over Summer Vacation
After my visit to Seattle, I continued my trip with a stop in Los Angeles. I have to say, I love running in L.A. There are miles of beaches to jog along and the weather is almost always perfect. So I planned to notch a 14-miler while I was there. The only time I could squeeze in a two-hour training session, though, was on Saturday morning (the rest of the day was jam-packed with lunch, dinner and drinks with friends), which meant I’d have to run after a late night out on Friday. It occurred to me as I hit the snooze button on Saturday morning that I was trying to do too much. I wanted to spend time with my family, see all my friends, enjoy some R&R and keep up with my training—in the span of two days. I couldn’t do it all, so I compromised and ran 8 miles instead.
Training requires a lot of time and dedication, but you have to remember to give yourself a break now and then. I ran my first marathon in college and my third in grad school and finding the hours to train was much easier when I wasn’t working full time. In school I had three months off at a time. These days, taking a week off from work is a luxury, and when I do go away I want to return refreshed, not stressed out or feeling guilty. I managed to get in a number of workouts while traveling, but I also made time for a massage and lounging by the pool. After all, I was on vacation!
September 12, 2008
Marathon Horrors…Survived!
I tend to be an over-thinker with an overactive imagination. The drawback? Left to my own devices, I'd invent a litany of possible scenarios, otherwise known as mishaps, that could play out on marathon day. Some of the "what ifs" that are already kicking around in my head:
I oversleep and miss the start. (Promptness is a challenge at times.)
Dead silence replaces cheering crowds. (Falmouth, where I'm doing my first race, isn't exactly a big city.)
When the list starts to get too long, it's time to rein in my imagination. I may be prone to over-analysis, but luckily I also was born with the reporter gene. What better way to quell race-day jitters than to track down the marathon nightmares other runners have experienced...and overcome. Knowing the snafus that really can occur will help me avoid them. And it's a relief to hear that many of these hiccups, which were scary at the time, now make the striders who survived them laugh out loud.
Port-A-Potty or Bust
"At mile 6, my bladder threatened to burst. I told my running partner to go on without me. 'You'll ruin your time if you stop,' she said. 'Just go in your shorts. It evaporates!' That wasn't an option—I don't even pee in the ocean! So I lost five minutes to the Port-A-Potty line and finished my first half-marathon a minute after my husband and brother."
Carolyn Steigleman, 28, Pennsylvania
Long Branch Half-Marathon
Trampled at the Start
"The horn sounded at the starting line and within 10 steps, my friend's MP3 player got knocked off his arm and shattered on the ground. Without thinking, I stopped and leaned over to pick up the pieces. A stampede of runners clobbered me! One kicked me in the side; another stomped on my foot.
I whimpered through the first three miles before finally regaining composure. I couldn't give up because of a few bumps and scrapes. I ended up finishing three minutes faster than my goal time!" Cathy Hale, 35, Austin, Texas
San Diego Marathon
A Case of Road Runs
"I woke up way too early for my race! It was about 45 degrees at the start and I had three hours to kill while trying to stay warm. I gulped down a ginormous coffee...which came back to haunt me at each and every Port-A-Potty during miles 2 through 8. It was awful!"
Julia Lamm, 26, New York
New York City Marathon
The Early Bird Catches the...Food Poisoning
"It's a toss-up. Hartford '05 was graced with torrential rain, gusty winds—and my menstrual cycle. Somehow, though, it was actually fun! I flew out early for San Diego '06 to enjoy a few days of downtime before the race. I ended up with a nasty case of food poisoning and never got to run at all."
Dianna Hyland, 38, Connecticut
Hartford & San Diego Marathons
There's no way for me to anticipate every bump I'll run into on the road to the finish line. But hearing about the hurdles so many women overcame on their race days let's me trust that, with a positive mindset, I can overcome whatever mine will hurl at me.
Q: What marathon survival stories have inspired you on the trails?––Julie
September 11, 2008
I may have been on vacation last week but that didn’t mean I could stop training––marathon prep is a full-time job! Plus, it’s fun to run in new places and try out different terrain. While visiting my best friend, Jenn, in
To finish our run, we had to climb a steep hill. As I struggled to reach the top, I was reminded that I need to work on inclines since there’s a killer hill at mile 23 of the New York City Marathon. And I didn’t realize that
One of the things I love about
Where’s your favorite vacation spot to run?
––Alla
September 9, 2008
Runner's Glossary 
There's this looming number "20" c
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