Hanson's marathon training program

A friend was recently talking about the Hanson marathon training program to me. She is starting to train for her 9th Boston (18th marathon!) and is considering the Hanson program. It'll be her first time following this training plan. Have you used this program? I understand the concept of limiting the long run distance and running on tired legs -- I buy that. But I think for someone like myself who has run 3 marathons, only running 16 miles max. during training wouldn't give me the confidence I need to toe the line race morning. Would love to hear your experiences!

If you aren't familiar with the Hanson program, see this article:
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4447

4 Weeks and Counting!

Time is ticking away ladies.... who is running St. George?  I need to hear from you.  What do you have left on your training calenders?  The heat down hear has been crippling my ability to finish my long runs.  I have done 2 back to back halves the last few weeks... and I am going to do a 20 miler this week, what are you doing this week?  I am so off my original schedule that at this point i am happy to try anything :)

No ragged running

As a mom it's not always easy to fit in my runs, and last week I only managd to squeeze in three. Worriedly I wondered how detrimental this would be to my running form.

So imagine my surprise when I ran my 8 kilometers in 50 minutes instead of my usual 60 minutes. Not only that, instead of dragging myself along, wondering why in heaven's name I subjected myself to this, I had fun!

Then I read in my favorite running book, Jeff Galloway's 'You can do it', running three times a week is enough to complete a marathon. Two runs to maintain your running form and the third run to increase your distance.

So by training less, I run faster and have more fun!

It almost sounds too good to be true.

Then again: it makes sense. Running yourself ragged doesn't help anyone, neither as a mom, nor as a runner.

Just going on a little run when...

So I was running the other day at a local Jr. High School's track to figure out my pace. I have just been doing my mileage, not worrying about my time and such. Anyhow, a man was also running on the track. He was moving at a fairly fast pace. During my last lap around the track he started talking to me, asking me what I was training for (St. George) and then commented how it was a great race, small talk and such. I asked him if he was training for a race and he said "uh, kinda I guess. I do some marathons but mostly the ultra races". He gave me a little advice about the St. George marathon and conversation stopped right when I got to the end of my lap. I wanted to talk to him more about running but since I didn't know what else to do, I said goodbye and left.

Later that night, I was browsing some race websites (specifically the Squaw Peak 50- wow!) when I happened to come to the website of the man I had seen earlier that day. I'm pretty sure this was the man at the track- he lives near the track too. Here is just a brief excerpt from the blog:

"I have as of November 2007 a total 258 marathons/ultras and a unofficial current world record of 170 consecutive months. Also another tidbit of info from March 11th of 2005 (my birthday) to March 11th of 2006 I ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks for my 52nd year. I am now currently working on finishing all 50 states for the 2nd time. FInished all 50 and DC back in 1999 the first time. "

I was absolutely amazed and boy do I wish I HAD stayed and chatted with him. I feel like I missed a huge oppotunity to talk to someone (if he isn't, should be) famous in the running world. It was a crazy coincidence that I ran into his website the same day I ran into him. I believe he is the race director for the Provo 1/2 marathon. Talk about a crazy run-in with someone.

Where to run

I live in the Salt Lake City area and now that I am getting into my longer milage I was wondering if any of you mommies know where some good places are for my long runs around here. Since I am new to running I am clueless about where the good runs are. Down hill runs are a plus as well because I am running TOU, they say to do downhill work as well as other runs to get used to that type of running. THanks for your help!! :) Cant wait to hear your suggestions.

Am I running enough?

I had a discouraging run (read about it here http://lindsaysmarathon.blogspot.com) and I have been trying to figure out what I can do to help me in my long runs. I am currently doing Jeff Galloway's "To Finish" marathon training. It has me running 30 min 2 times during the week and then a long run on Sat. Do you think I am doing enough running during the week for it to be pushing my endurance to help my long runs on Sat? I am just trying to figure out why I am having such a hard time on my long runs, and wondering if I am not doing enough running in the weekdays. Thanks for your wonderful advice for my other questions. You ladies are awesome! Thanks

Do any of you TRI?

So I had a moment of complete insanity this weekend... let me set the scene...

Saturday afternoon.... taking a break from the spring cleaning going on at our house at the computer..... check the email... oh yea I have a new email (I know the little things that get me excited are kind of silly... oh i hope it isn't an upset customer.... oh good it isn't it is from Active.com.... ooohhh maybe there is a new race.... hahahaha not so much a new race but something i would normally just delete but didn't!

A lovely coupon for $10 off the registration to the Dallas Iron Girl in July. Normally the thought process goes "I don't swim real well.... don't love to bike but I can.... and I all ready know I can run so no thanks just not my thing".... and this is where my mind started loosing the tug of war. I didn't delete it! Zip forward to Sunday afternoon and I have survived teaching primary which is a test unto itself.... and that email was still there and I clicked the link and registered.

So now my question to all of you amazing ladies is do or have any of you done a TRI? The Dallas Iron Girl is a sprint so I am sure I can survive it.... after all I can run 26.2 miles i should be able to swim 500 meters bike a 20K and run a 5K but I am looking for a good training program. Do any of you know of one or have one?

What's a taper?

For those of you who are running in Salt Lake on April 19, here is your friendly reminder: IT IS TIME TO TAPER! This means NO pushing it as hard as you can while out running. Today Kelly was chastised by her mentor about running too hard during the taper. We've decided that the only way to help her remember to not run too hard over the next 12 days is to make her wear this sign around her neck.

And just to be sure... I will wear it on my back while we are running and make her run right behind me so she doesn't forget: SLOW DOWN! Take it easy! Relax! It is time to let your body recover from all of the hard runs. You are in the best possible shape you can be in for this race. It is time to give your body a rest so it can give you 110% on race day. That goes for all of you crazy runners out there!

Ahhhh, I love to taper. This is the only time that we are told we HAVE to take it easy as runners. Enjoy your leisurely runs, ladies!

Accountability

So mommies it's truth time? How have you done this last week in training? Erin, are you sticking to your new training plan? You pregnant women how are the bellies holding up? You girls amaze me. I just couldn't run while pregnant. It hurt those ligaments too much.

As for me, my right quad is still very tight but I can walk up and down the stairs pain free. I've spent 11 days in a pool now swimming laps and water running. I am improving my efficiency in the water. I will tear it up when my triathlons come up this summer. I will be meeting my coach on Friday morning to try running for the first time in 2 weeks. Wish me luck!

Training for the Elderly

I think it is official that I am the oldest mommy here. I am here to post my training plan for Boston. It is the less is more marathon plan (Actually it is called "16-week FIRST training plan. I read about it in runners world and found it on their website. In a nutshell it is running three days a week and cross training another two. The article talks about how the cross training improve maximal oxygen uptake and lactate threshold. I am choosing this plan because I seem to be injury prone. I didn't actually follow it for St. George but I did cross train to get ready for St. George. I plan to follow this plan with the speed work and tempo runs and hope to do well in Boston.

If I'm registered, will I run?

I've been talking about it but finally committed myself two days ago and registered for the Eugene Marathon (Ore.) on May 4th. I haven't been running regularly and haven't been feeling very motivated to run at all. I've run 6.5 miles this month so far. Seriously. That is it. I decided to register for the full marathon and hope that having this looming out there will encourage me to run and maybe even actually train. I think I've just joined Kelly in the "a little nutso" crowd. ;-)

It's About Time I Showed My Face Around Here

This post is mostly to give proof that I'm still around. My running is a little sparse (slow and short runs) due to this knee of mine giving me trouble...but I have high hopes for it returning to normal soon.

Which brings me to my question: (You knew I had one...)

I live in the valley where we rest (and yes, run) at about 25 feet above sea level. Oh...and by the way, we're all planning on running in a marathon (half or otherwise) in such a place that is, oh...say, 4,226 feet above sea level. I'm in accounting so I feel obligated to tell you that the difference is 4,201 feet.

If we were being audited, that is definitely within the scope of notable variances.

I'm about 30 minutes away from 1,275 elevation...this is good practice. But folks, we're still at a difference of nearly 3,000 feet in elevation.

My current plan is to take a couple of trips to Tahoe City or Truckee. They are a couple of hours away, but that should give me a good start for tackling the elevation issue. Although, heading into the winter months, they will be a tad hard to get to.

And so, my lovely experts...this is where I ask you all for some of that yummy Runner's Wisdom that I do so love. Please talk some elevation sense into the Newbie.

I do realize that you may start charging me consulting fees at some point in the future. I'm figuring out how to work this into the budget.