How about a race?

There are lots of different ways to train for a marathon.  Some are good.  Some less so.  There are lots of different training programs, but the basic principals are pretty much the same for most of them.  Some advise higher mileage, and others have you doing more speed work.  Some suggest peaking at 20 miles a few weeks before the big race.  Others have you go the full 26 mile distance in training.    There are programs that have you run 3-4 times a week.  There are others that have you run 6-7 days a week.  Most have you run a little longer at least one day in the middle of the week before your really long run on the weekend.  Some have you do tempo runs or track workouts of everything from 400's to mile repeats. I've tried elements of most of these programs.  And what I've come away with is that they're all good.  You can finish a marathon on the basis of just building up your long runs to about 20 miles.  The rest of the training just helps determine how fast you will finish it.  Obviously, you want to get your legs used to going faster, and improve your cardio in the process.  And there are lots of ways to do that. Rest and recovery are also important parts of any training program.  So are cross-training and diet.  There is one thing most programs never mention however.  That is to make sure you are enjoying it.  Have fun.  After all, that's supposed to be why we are putting our bodies through so much work, and eating up so much of our free time.  We are supposed to enjoy running. That's why I tend to just make up my own training schedule.  I realized the other day that I've not even looked at a calendar yet this summer as I point toward the New York marathon.  That race is scheduled for November 2.  And as I think about it, that means I will get a 20 miler in about two months before the race, so that means I've got lots of time to do a few more.  We'll see about that. I've also done virtually no speed work.  That's because this summer I have decided to run only what I feel like running.  If it's not fun, I'm not worrying about it. And when it comes to fun, in running, that usually means racing.  The race atmosphere is like the reward for all the solitary running most of us do.  Most experts generally don't recommend that you race a lot while training for a marathon.  But, depending on your goals for the marathon, and how hard you run the races, it's not terrible.  At least that's what I hope.  That's because I'm planning on running a couple of races this weekend, less than 18 hours apart from each other. The truth is, I committed to both of these races before it dawned on me how close together they would be.  But, they both sound fun, and I'm not doing a real long run this weekend, so what the heck? On Sunday evening it's Nike's Human Race 10k.  If you haven't heard about this one you have been on Mars for the last couple months.  It should be a great run and post race concert at Soldier Field.  They are also bringing in the top U.S. Olympic marathoner, Dathan Ritzenheim. I hope to post an interview with him next week in this space.  http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/index.jsp. The second race is the Oakbrook half marathon on Labor day.  They are celebrating Oakbrook's 50th anniversary with this inaugural race.  Universal Sole is putting it on with the help of my friends from the MC200.  It should be good, and I'll be ready to eat some barbecue that afternoon! http://www.oakbrookhalfmarathon.com/ Finally next weekend there is a great seminar going on in the 'burbs.  The Peak Performance program that CARA does is great.  Coach Bill Leach has been doing it in the City for years, and now they are expanding the program outside the city with Charlie Kern.  It is a good way to improve your running, you know, if you're into that sort of thing.  The information is below.  Have a great weekend and I'll see you on the trails....

RUN FASTER AND STRONGER PEAK PERFORMANCE TRAINING WITH CHARLIE KERN LEARN AND PERFORM EXERCISES PROVEN TO INCREASE STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND RUNNING PERFORMANCE PEAK PERFORMANCE FREE TEST DRIVE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH BETWEEN 5:00-6:00PM YORK STREET AND THE PRAIRIE PATH FIND THE MISSING COMPONENT TO YOUR RUNNING SUCCESS! "Peak training is the perfect way, in the most painless manner, to improve your running efficiency through core strengthening."                                     Karen C. "As a veteran of 26 marathons, I am stronger and more efficient than I have been in many years!  What a boost it has given to my marathon training!"                                     Sara D. To participate in the free test drive, please RSVP to Dick Pond Elmhurst @ 630-835-4655 By Saturday,  September 6th