CM Diary - April 23, 2007

Entry 2: April 23, 2007

Let me start with a little background information. In mid-January I decided to run the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (May 5) and The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. I joined PR Training, a local running group led by Tammy, a certified running coach. She offered two very important things: a 14-week class designed to train people to run/walk the Indy Mini and running-club registrations for the Mini that was already sold out.

We meet at 5:30 AM on Tuesdays or 6:00 PM on Thursdays to learn about various aspects of running followed by a group run. I showed up the first week uncertain about what to expect. I wasn't even sure what to wear. My only previous experience (aka nightmare) running with others was in middle school gym class on the most-dreaded day - the timed one-mile run. I was the picked-last, picked-on fat kid that always finished the mile last, gasping for breath and feeling nauseous. She said the group was open to runners and walkers. Walkers? Really? That was probably a ploy to give the elite runners someone to laugh at (old cynical mindsets die hard).

The first meeting was a positive experience. There really were walkers there! Tammy and everyone were kind and encouraging. She handed out a sample training plan designed for beginning, intermediate and advanced runners/walkers. Since I had been training for a month on my own already, I was between the beginning and intermediate level. Tammy worked with me to develop a plan that started from where I was at. On our first group run we all stuck together as a pack. I was able to keep up, and at times, I was setting the pace! I remember being so excited to tell my wife when I got home. Joining PR Training is the best decision I could have made. The training has really paid off, I've met a lot of great people and I've overcome a lot of childhood traumas in the process. I highly recommend joining a running group with a certified coach in your area to train for the Marathon.

There are 2 weeks to go before the Indy Mini and I'm starting to taper for the race. This past week has been my best and most intense week of training. On Tuesday I ran 10K in 56:52 (9:08 min/mile), 15 minutes faster than a 10 K I ran back in December. On Wednesday I wanted to run an easy 4 miles, but I agreed to run with a co-worker who is a competitive triathlete. He pushed me for 5 miles at an 8:50/M pace. That was the farthest I had ever run sub-9:00/M. On Thursday, we had the privilege to have Shawn Found as our guest motivational speaker at our class. He has an impressive world-class running resume including being a 4:06 miler who narrowly missed representing the US in the 2000 Olympics in the 10 K. Thank you Shawn for inspiring us with your wisdom and experiences! After class, we ran 5.3 more miles at an easy pace.

At 12 weeks into the class, Tammy organizes a 10-mile goal run. It helps us gauge our progress, set realistic goals for the Indy Mini and gain race experience (e.g. how to get water at aid stations without choking). After running a personal record (PR) at 5 miles and 10 K earlier in the week, I wasn't expecting to tear up the course on Saturday. Expecting to run 9:30/M, I made a pace band to carry with me ranging from 9:00/M to 10:41/M. I never looked at it! I ran 1:29:20 - an 8:56/M pace. It was one of those days where everything just clicked and I felt great. I'm still in disbelief that this former 305-pound couch-potato who has only been running for 4 months has a realistic shot at running a sub-2 hour half-marathon. The crowds and weather may not cooperate, but now I know I have the potential to do it. Watch out Indy!

I also found a race recovery strategy that works great for me - lawn mowing. My grass was so long it had to be double-cut this weekend or else. So Saturday afternoon I walked behind a self-propelled push mower for 2 hours. I haven't experienced the soreness I normally feel after running 10 miles let alone at a PR pace. Two summers ago, mowing the lawn took all the energy I could muster. Now, 125 pounds and 14-months of aerobic activity later I can do so much more. Being fit is awesome!

I realize that between now and October not every week is going to be a great training week so I'm going to really enjoy this one that came my way.

One step at a time,
Dave