So it’s officially late April now, a time when (if you started training for a race at the beginning of the year) your race day has just happened or is coming up in the next few weekends.
Which means your training is already or almost complete, and we head into a time of the year when we scale our running back a bit, to maintaining our fitness level until the next time we’re ready to scale up for a race again. (Or, we don’t even have to train for a race — we can just run as we like all the time 😃)
Where are you with your training (if you’re training) and how do you transition off it, and maintain your fitness level so you’re ready if and when you want to run another race again? I always love hearing your thoughts. — Terrell
I’m ready to commit to the first race since 2021. Kind of burned out on organized runs for a while. I run for fitness not for a PR. A co-worker has recently caught the run bug from me so we’re doing the Fox Cities 10k together. So that’s fun! Thanks for this outlet for crazy runners to talk to other crazy runner, Terrell. 😬
I was training for the Brooklyn Half in May but on a whim decided to head that way early and do the Ladies Shape Half next weekend. I’ll probably have to walk some but that’s ok! Then it’s training for the Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon.
Back to training regularly now and doing a 5K race every weekend. It is now my speed run in the training rotation. Where am I headed? Only the passage of time will tell. Half season for me is September through November. How many depends on how I feel. The one thing I do do know is I still am working toward a marathon on my 70th birthday next year. Just got on Strava and started using a GPS watch, so play time is over, but not the fun.
Absolutely!! But the the cutest part was when we were trying to get out of the park to meet the rest of the family and I look back and he’s taking selfies of himself with his medal!! Oh to be 18 again!!
I was in a sort of training-maintenance mode just making sure I’d be ready for my 6.5 mile leg of the Vermont City Marathon Memorial Day Weekend, but it was going so well I decided to fit in a 1/2 earlier in May and so went into full training mode for that. I’ll do a 10 miler this weekend in preparation, and then just try stay well til race day.
Maintaining right now until July when monthly races start (15K, 20K, 25K, and 30K) leading to the Honolulu Marathon in December. I joined the Honolulu Marathon Clinic which meets every Sunday morning by Diamond Head for longer run to get me motivated. I hope to find a destination race somewhere during my annual trek out of this rock. I'll be dropping off my college student at Mizzou this August so looking at races around that area.
Love the energy from all your raving fans Terrell. Running is alive and well.
I am training to run a sub 8:30 mile at age 76. If I do it, I win a dinner at the 3 star Michelin Vegan restaurant in NYC called Eleven Madison Park. If I lose, I treat. Almost down to my ideal running weight and logging about 30 miles of walking a week. Track jogging/running starts this weekend. I trust this “wager” will inspire me to run the October Tow Path half-marathon this October in Cleveland, my hometown. If I can avoid plantar fasciitis, I believe I can do both!!!!!
I just HAD to look at the restaurant in NYC. Long time since I've seen one set for Fine Dining. I think the last one was the World Trade Club where my husband worked as a waiter. You'd better win that wager!! :)
I'm starting Marathon training for older Chi runners on the 16th of May. By the time I finish, I, too, will be 76. Never in my life have I done a sub 40 minute 10K!! Mine are always around 45 minutes, but that was about 7 years ago. Haven't done one, in person, since. Training does wonders. If nothing else, you feel really good about yourself!! :)
I have 4 weeks before the Urban 10 Miler here is Denver. It is part of the Colfax Marathon weekend races. There is the full, half, urban ten and a marathon relay. I’ve run this 10 miles twice before and I am determined to get over the mind funk the last few miles- does to me-ts up a slow steady hill😩 Im using your 10 mile training plan Terrell and so far so good! Our weather has been hot/cold the last few weeks, typical springtime! After this race I’ll take a month off then begin training for the Covered Bridges Half in Vermont in sept/oct. … can’t remember exact date at the moment🤦♀️
Hi Terrell! My plan was to take a couple of weeks off entirely after Boston but a slow 7km around Central Park this morning was beautiful.
I’ll probably do two or three 10k’s per week until August & then start training for the Valencia Half Marathon in October. Hope to beat my PB of 1:41:17.
Beautiful area. Though I have not done the run, I know West Seattle pretty well from skating. I've done many of the Orca Running races. Well organized and lots of fun--not too expensive, either. . .
(I think it is $91 today, but it will go up.) I'd do the one coming up on Bainbridge Island on June 1 if I were in better running condition. Here's a link. https://orcarunning.com/orca-half/ Seattle is expensive, but it not so much as many of the bigger cities that you mentioned.
I had a right shin ankle problem that DLed me for Jan. and 1/2 Feb. wasn't sure if it was tibia SF or not, MRI showed nothing so doc said start running again. I had signed up for half mar May 7th so I am working up to that.
I always have a race to train for. i can't run every day its too much. i exercise on off days. i have to or i'll get injured. BTW the ankle shin problem came from not doing any shin exercises. I now ex my shins every other day and feel a lot stronger. I am 65 yo
I should be doing the Big Sur Marathon on 4/30, but I'm not. Waaaaay too much happening this winter between moving and injury. I won't complain. . . that's life, and though I didn't enjoy it, I'm taking it slow and noticing improvement all the time. First things first, Stop Whining!! Second, work on posture, third, change shoes, and follow the ChiWalk/Run Method. There is improvement everyday, especially with improving posture and I can now walk at a really good pace!
Marathon training starts on May 16th with Chi Running and goes until Oct. 24th (I think!) It's supposed to be for Older Runners, so I'm jazzed to do it. Danny, being my age, himself, understands. Yes, I can still run. . . I've been doing it for the last 2 weeks! :)
Now, if the rain would stop for a little while and the temps climb a few degrees and get out of the 40s, I'd be happy. Hopefully, we'll get a break this weekend, but maybe not. Alaska keeps blessing us with Cold Fronts. :)
Definitely in a maintenance phase. I don't have a race that I'm worked toward at the moment, but I feel like I should because it's harder to get up the motivation to run a few times a week without an end goal. At least the weather seems to have finally turned into Spring (knock on wood)?
I'm maintaining. Had a race at the end of March and am in the middle of an international move so my performance is in the toilet anyway!
half of my runs are just to keep mileage up and half are 'last chance' runs to say goodbye to an area of the world I love.
I'll also use this maintenance phase to take off a couple pounds I gained; I typically struggle to maintain as my training load increases; as my body does the opposite of what one would expect with higher mileage (gotta love cortisol). I also find it easier to have the mental bandwidth to monitor diet more closely in off season. Next race will be either Bilbao, Basque Country or Venice (thanks to you!) in October.
I’m maintaining now. Florida races in the summer are as popular as a kick in the shins. I see my weight gain is the opposite of my miles curve, so I joined a local gym. I’ll go there a few times a week to keep the fat monster at bay.
I am currently not training for any races. However besides running, I also do Muay Thai and did my first competition this year! I would like to do one again this year so I'm mainly running to keep my cardio up.
I am maintaining at the moment. But I am going to ramp it up some this next week. I want to do the AF full in Sep, so will try 20 week training guide. I am still dealing with runner’s knee from 1/2 in March. But it is slowly getting better.
If it does not go as planned, I will scale back to 1/2 for AF. I have been able to even do some speed work so that has been good. I might do a 1/2 this summer but have yet to find one I want to travel to. Cincinnati Flying Pig is coming up soon but I haven’t been able to get ready because of knee.
Thank you. There are a lot of 1 milers in the past month of recovery. So minimum to be able to keep the streak alive. I also was able to start riding my bicycle yesterday due to good weather. That is always great cross training for me.
I am an autumn race guy so I am starting the dreaded ramp up period. I find my strategy works well on the backend, but there are about 6-8 weeks in July/August when I wonder if I should just change everything and be better about running in the winter.
But I'm in Montana, so sometimes that's not overly feasible.
I can imagine Montana would be TOUGH in wintertime to run outdoors, unless you're exceptionally hardy (and own some super-warm running clothes). We have the opposite problem here (in Atlanta) where I live; July and especially August (and early September) can be swelteringly, miserably hot. My treadmill isn't my preference, but it's a lifesaver during those months.
Yeah totally. It's amazing how much the body adapts (30 degrees feels unbearably cold in October, and then like a beach holiday in February). But I really find building any sort of consistency with unbearable weather (be it extreme cold or heat) is a real challenge.
When I decided to run marathons, it was only to do the Marine Corps Marathon in DC, but since I had never run one, I wasn't about to fly clear across the country only to find out that I couldn't do one, so I signed up for the L.A. marathon first. Almost as soon as I finished it, I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon lottery and was chosen. I was ecstatic. That was in Spring of 2020. It was cancelled. I deferred to the next year, ran it virtually in October, and continued training. In 2021 it was cancelled again, only, last minute, so I ran the L.A. one again since I had been training. FINALLY, last October, I ran the MCM. I LOVED it, but suddenly, I didn't have that goal anymore, and I admit that although I kept running, I cut back both on miles and on how hard I trained.
Fortunately, I have a daughter that likes to do HM, so she talked me into two. One in January and now one in May. VERY long story short. I am still training, but just not as seriously.
What I do to keep a bit more motivated is to listen to books about running. I will even register to them. Helps keep me going.
I just signed up for your newsletter because I think there is a lot of cross-over with mine (https://kevinmcsa6.substack.com/). I also just returned from 10 years spent in Asia (with 7 being in HK) so I'm kind of a sucker for anything China related.
Training for the Harpers Ferry half on May 20. Since I ran a marathon last month not really worried about the distance but Harpers Ferry has 1400 ft elevation so I have been trying to do hill repeats at least once a week.
When I went to DC for the Marine Corps Marathon last October, I really wanted to go hiking in the Harper's Ferry region, but just ran out of time. So much to see just in DC alone. Hopefully, I'll get to go some day, though I think I'll skip that HM. 1400 elevation sounds a bit much.
After returning home post Boston this week has definitely been a much needed recovery. But, have another race 2 weeks from Sunday. Here in Canton, Ohio it’s the NFL Hall of Fame Marathon. It’s the 10th and year final of this event and my 5th year taking part. I’ll be running the half marathon and aiming for a PR. Excited for race day. Use these next two weeks to slowly build up and work on tempo.
My experience of running the 127th Boston Marathon was unlike anything. Ran my first Boston last year and it did not go well at all. It was a struggle from mile 7 on. Following last years run I was determined to make it back and run better. This year’s most prestigious marathon could not have gone any better! Having my Dad with me to be able to experience a great running event was fantastic, as well as his love and support. Felt great out there from the start and completely nailed it! This time around I knew what to expect and I was extra determined, motivated, and confident to beat my time from last year. But my biggest goal for the 127th Running was to have fun and enjoy myself. The moment from the start in Hopkinton to the famous finish on Boylston the enthusiasm from the spectators never ceases. Constant cheers and celebrations to help push and motivate every runner! My running felt so smooth. Every 5k was incredibly consistent and the legs conquered the famous Newton Hills well, although they became extremely fatigued during that five mile stretch. But with the hills behind me and then a more generous 5 miles to follow I was determined to keep those legs moving until the end. Having put so much hard work and discipline into my training since January I was not going to give in. Pushed it and gave it everything I got. Hit my fastest 5k split over those last few miles. And then Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston, the enormous roar of the crowd. Crossed the finish with my second fastest time at 2:54:09 - roughly 27 minutes better then last year! The best part, this was the most fun I’ve had in any race I’ve run! Having my name visible cheers were coming from the spectators as if they knew me. The roars of cheers on the final stretch hits differently, made sure to soak it all up. All praise to God for the endurance he has blessed me with. So thankful. No doubt the 127th Boston Marathon has been my greatest accomplishment!
I do two a year: the first the last Saturday in April along the American River in Northern California; the second the first Sunday of October along the Sacramento River and neighborhoods nearby. In 8 days the first occurs. I should probably work another half marathon or two, ideally two to three weeks after either of these events.
I'm turning 67 in 2 weeks; I ran one full marathon 4 years ago and finished in just over 6 hours. That's enough for me.
Yes, full marathons are likely in the rear view mirror for me too. I ran two in a single year once, and that nearly wiped me out! A few years later, I ran the San Diego RNR Marathon, which was fun, but also... enough 😃
I don't race, and I don't have a specific massive other goal I'm training for right now, like I had the PCT for the couple years before I did it in mind. That can make motivation tricky, because I know I need running for my happiness, mental health and fitness, but it's nicer when there's something you're aiming towards. But I always remind myself of a funny thing Alex Honnold said - most know him as a climber but he dabbles in ultrarunning and was on a running podcast, Some Work All Play - I think it was on that podcast that he said it? Anyway somehow the conversation got around to the idea of honor and how to live an honorable life, maybe vaguely in relation to warrior culture, and he said for him, it boiled down to the idea of being on the program, staying on the program. Whether climbing, running, living healthy, getting enough sleep - there are so many areas of life where that's applicable and so when I'm trying to be on some kind of program even without an end goal in sight, I remind myself that it's about honoring that version of myself I want to be and showing up, being consistent. Hard to say if that produces training that's more like building, or maintaining, but at least it helps me get out there.
Last year :)) April 15 - September 26. It was the best thing I've ever done in my life!!! The great and beautiful adventure, a sufferfest but that's kind of the whole business of it - I didn't want to lie on a beach for 5+ months, I wanted to have that beauty and aliveness in my life, wanted to be pushed beyond my comfort zone, to find the reserves within me, to unlock that better, stronger version of me, to inhabit that animal self. Every day contained both bliss and misery. The trail itself, I'll never get over it, it's a gift. An incredible creation, a finished footpath of that quality through such stunning wilderness areas. It makes you strong and it also breaks you because life afterwards can never quite fill that space. Wouldn't change a thing. 1000/10 would recommend.
Wow, just wow. I (like many people) read Cheryl Strayed's book and have dreamed about it ever since. It sounds like it lived up to what she described, and even more. Were you a big trail hiker before this?
not really, I grew up hiking on a small scale with my family, and did some multi-day shakedown hikes while training for this, but nothing long that I'd qualify as a thru before the PCT. Cheryl's a great writer and her journey is more an inner one, but the book and film only scratch the surface of what the PCT is :) the one that seized me and kindled the flame was "Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home," by thru-hiking queen and ultrarunner Heather "Anish" Anderson, who smashed Scott Williamson's unsupported FKT on the PCT in 2013 and held that title for all genders for the better part of a decade. And another amazing one, "Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart," by Carrot Quinn. Those two books capture the essence of the trail, for me. Read at your own risk. :)
Had to CX the Nashville HM this weekend. I developed acute plantar fasciitis in early Feb & had to stop running. I am trying to ease back...oh so gently. It’s been a lot of one step forward and two steps back, but I’m confident I will get better. At times it’s exasperating. Had to focus on training on my stationary bike. ‘Watched a lot of Netflix while pedaling! 😎
Oh, Howie I feel for you, brother. Rest is really the only thing that helps, I would imagine. I hope those feet feel better soon! And yes, TONS of Netflix are the only way to go on the bike!
i'm just maintaining. no races until october, and i'm coming off a years long achilles injury so these past few months i've just been enjoying being able to run! its a gorgeous 60 degrees in OC today and i had a lovely run on the boardwalk. have a great weekend y'all!
Maintaining is hard for me. Once I finish a race I give myself about 2 weeks off. Then I start looking for the next one. I am always training for something. I wish I was better at motivating myself, but if I am not on a schedule I end up not doing anything.
Last day of my taper, marathon is Saturday morning. This will be my first one after getting injured last year. Curious to see how quickly I can get back to running and what my weekly mileage will be when not training. Thinking I will try for around 30 - 35/week??
Also, now that we are entering the training season, so to speak, I also know you mentioned the idea of finding a location where we as a group might be able to plan out a "weekend" running event [maybe where a 5k. 10k, 1/2 and marathon are all available].
All, do you think it could work? Maybe a fall event to begin next season?
We've only been toying with this idea for the last 2 years. . . Late summer or fall is perfect! Please, though, not a big city! How about the Orca Half in West Seattle on Sept. 16 2023. If the race fills up on Saturday, the event managers open up Sunday, so it is two days. Just a thought. . . :)
I have *really* wanted to do this for a while, but a combination of Covid and family/kids schedules have made it hard to do. (Everything with kids happens on the weekend, you know?) I would love to do one this fall -- help me noodle on a location. We need to find a race that's in a city that's easy to get to -- which would seem to be a place like New York, Chicago or D.C., but also a race that everyone can get in and that also isn't *too* expensive. Let's think...
Could look, to start, maybe Labor Day weekend [maybe a little early] or MLK, Jr. weekend in January - tends to be one where people get that Monday off, would help for travel.
Can we "ask" everyone [if nothing else for regions in US] to get a better feel for location? Maybe could just answer here like we reply to posts...
My big races are in late July (trail marathon) and mid November (road marathon), so I'm training now, just having really shifted from ski season into running season (which for me coincides with rowing season, and that makes for some good cross-training). Thankfully, shifting from one sport to another as the seasons shift has helped me stay fresh--both mentally and physically. This winter I really committed to strength training, too, and that will be a constant across all sports. I used to focus entirely on rowing. But life is too short and there are too many fun sports experiences I want to have. Hence the multi-sport/cross-training approach!
It’s the Zagori Mountain Running 44km (with 2,700meters of gain!). Super well-organized races at 10k, 21k, 44k, and 80k in amazing scenery in northern Greece. I highly recommend it. Zagorirace.gr
This looks so, so cool, Henriette -- what an amazing place/setting to run in. And challenging! Do you do this a lot, alternating between trail and road races?
No, actually! For the last few years, I've done almost all trail races (not that many, though). I am registered for the Athens Marathon this November, finally getting to do the race I'd planned for, ahem, 2020. As a first-generation Greek who's spent tons of time there, this race is going to be super meaningful for me!
Wow, so appropriate for me right now. Been so busy lately that barely have time to do more than read the thread BUT this one makes me want to reply! I'm at the point where I've got no "planned" races, at last not for a while, and I just had a talk w/wife about how I'm now going into "indoor training" mode [opposite NY, train indoors for the summer]. Next week, my runs now go on a treadmill [not a big fan] because I don't want to run at 8pm, or later, at night. Feel like my winter racing went well but could also have been better. Get now to work on trying to make it both better and more enjoyable! Great thoughts here Terrell.
I'm not much of an official racer, been mostly maintaining 5k several times a week for many years now (although, of course, running is always growth, not just maintenance). And yet. Partially inspired by this Substack, also by reading recently Born to Run, I'm experimenting with running longer distances, albeit less often. So in a few minutes I'm heading out for 10k (maybe more) on the trails of the Judean foothills where I live, crossing the Elah Valley where David battlefd Goliath. Thanks Terrell for the thread!
Hadn’t heard of it, but gotta check it out! Once we’re at it, I’ll add that I originally heard of his work in another very relevant and quite awesome book, Go Wild by John Ratey. Highly recommend.
Training hard for my 2nd marathon at the end of June. Grandma’s in Duluth, MN!
Thank you Terrell. I am nursing a hamstring issue so I am gonna take it nice and easy very slow.
Doing final prep for the Indianapolis half. Running it May 6. Excited to do the “2.5 mile lap” on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!
It looks like it'll be a fantastic time! You'll have to come back and share with us what it was like!
I’m ready to commit to the first race since 2021. Kind of burned out on organized runs for a while. I run for fitness not for a PR. A co-worker has recently caught the run bug from me so we’re doing the Fox Cities 10k together. So that’s fun! Thanks for this outlet for crazy runners to talk to other crazy runner, Terrell. 😬
I'm finally back outside consistently after COVID keeping me down for months. Have done one 5k and have a trail 10k next month. Then back to halfs.
I bet!!!
I was training for the Brooklyn Half in May but on a whim decided to head that way early and do the Ladies Shape Half next weekend. I’ll probably have to walk some but that’s ok! Then it’s training for the Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon.
Love all the energy from your raving fans Terrell. I have a friend who promises me a dinner at the 3 star Michelin restaurant in NYC,
Just maintaining although I have a 5k coming up this week. I’m actually more like nursing my Achilles.
Back to training regularly now and doing a 5K race every weekend. It is now my speed run in the training rotation. Where am I headed? Only the passage of time will tell. Half season for me is September through November. How many depends on how I feel. The one thing I do do know is I still am working toward a marathon on my 70th birthday next year. Just got on Strava and started using a GPS watch, so play time is over, but not the fun.
I did the New York Marathon right after my 70th birthday last year….. with my grandson!
Now, that is impressive. Did you finish holding hands?!?
Absolutely!! But the the cutest part was when we were trying to get out of the park to meet the rest of the family and I look back and he’s taking selfies of himself with his medal!! Oh to be 18 again!!
Oh to be 18 again. Lol.
I was in a sort of training-maintenance mode just making sure I’d be ready for my 6.5 mile leg of the Vermont City Marathon Memorial Day Weekend, but it was going so well I decided to fit in a 1/2 earlier in May and so went into full training mode for that. I’ll do a 10 miler this weekend in preparation, and then just try stay well til race day.
Maintaining right now until July when monthly races start (15K, 20K, 25K, and 30K) leading to the Honolulu Marathon in December. I joined the Honolulu Marathon Clinic which meets every Sunday morning by Diamond Head for longer run to get me motivated. I hope to find a destination race somewhere during my annual trek out of this rock. I'll be dropping off my college student at Mizzou this August so looking at races around that area.
Love the energy from all your raving fans Terrell. Running is alive and well.
I am training to run a sub 8:30 mile at age 76. If I do it, I win a dinner at the 3 star Michelin Vegan restaurant in NYC called Eleven Madison Park. If I lose, I treat. Almost down to my ideal running weight and logging about 30 miles of walking a week. Track jogging/running starts this weekend. I trust this “wager” will inspire me to run the October Tow Path half-marathon this October in Cleveland, my hometown. If I can avoid plantar fasciitis, I believe I can do both!!!!!
I just HAD to look at the restaurant in NYC. Long time since I've seen one set for Fine Dining. I think the last one was the World Trade Club where my husband worked as a waiter. You'd better win that wager!! :)
Definitely incentivized!
Oh, Clark, you can do it! Take it easy , keep the PF at bay! Your walking should help. :)
You are now officially part of my cheerleading squad. Thanks Nilima. Keep you posted. It’s been 43 years since my 39:00 minute 10k. 😱
I'm good at cheer leading! :)
I'm starting Marathon training for older Chi runners on the 16th of May. By the time I finish, I, too, will be 76. Never in my life have I done a sub 40 minute 10K!! Mine are always around 45 minutes, but that was about 7 years ago. Haven't done one, in person, since. Training does wonders. If nothing else, you feel really good about yourself!! :)
I have 4 weeks before the Urban 10 Miler here is Denver. It is part of the Colfax Marathon weekend races. There is the full, half, urban ten and a marathon relay. I’ve run this 10 miles twice before and I am determined to get over the mind funk the last few miles- does to me-ts up a slow steady hill😩 Im using your 10 mile training plan Terrell and so far so good! Our weather has been hot/cold the last few weeks, typical springtime! After this race I’ll take a month off then begin training for the Covered Bridges Half in Vermont in sept/oct. … can’t remember exact date at the moment🤦♀️
My friend also proposed to his girlfriend halfway through the run this morning!!
Yep, it’s in Spain 22nd of October.
Hi Terrell! My plan was to take a couple of weeks off entirely after Boston but a slow 7km around Central Park this morning was beautiful.
I’ll probably do two or three 10k’s per week until August & then start training for the Valencia Half Marathon in October. Hope to beat my PB of 1:41:17.
Nice!! I’m jealous about the run in Central Park! Is the Valencia Half in Spain?
Beautiful area. Though I have not done the run, I know West Seattle pretty well from skating. I've done many of the Orca Running races. Well organized and lots of fun--not too expensive, either. . .
(I think it is $91 today, but it will go up.) I'd do the one coming up on Bainbridge Island on June 1 if I were in better running condition. Here's a link. https://orcarunning.com/orca-half/ Seattle is expensive, but it not so much as many of the bigger cities that you mentioned.
Skyline Half in Dallas tomorrow!
Good luck, Anne!
Thanks! Supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow!!😄🤞🤞
I had a right shin ankle problem that DLed me for Jan. and 1/2 Feb. wasn't sure if it was tibia SF or not, MRI showed nothing so doc said start running again. I had signed up for half mar May 7th so I am working up to that.
I always have a race to train for. i can't run every day its too much. i exercise on off days. i have to or i'll get injured. BTW the ankle shin problem came from not doing any shin exercises. I now ex my shins every other day and feel a lot stronger. I am 65 yo
I should be doing the Big Sur Marathon on 4/30, but I'm not. Waaaaay too much happening this winter between moving and injury. I won't complain. . . that's life, and though I didn't enjoy it, I'm taking it slow and noticing improvement all the time. First things first, Stop Whining!! Second, work on posture, third, change shoes, and follow the ChiWalk/Run Method. There is improvement everyday, especially with improving posture and I can now walk at a really good pace!
Marathon training starts on May 16th with Chi Running and goes until Oct. 24th (I think!) It's supposed to be for Older Runners, so I'm jazzed to do it. Danny, being my age, himself, understands. Yes, I can still run. . . I've been doing it for the last 2 weeks! :)
Now, if the rain would stop for a little while and the temps climb a few degrees and get out of the 40s, I'd be happy. Hopefully, we'll get a break this weekend, but maybe not. Alaska keeps blessing us with Cold Fronts. :)
Definitely in a maintenance phase. I don't have a race that I'm worked toward at the moment, but I feel like I should because it's harder to get up the motivation to run a few times a week without an end goal. At least the weather seems to have finally turned into Spring (knock on wood)?
I'm maintaining. Had a race at the end of March and am in the middle of an international move so my performance is in the toilet anyway!
half of my runs are just to keep mileage up and half are 'last chance' runs to say goodbye to an area of the world I love.
I'll also use this maintenance phase to take off a couple pounds I gained; I typically struggle to maintain as my training load increases; as my body does the opposite of what one would expect with higher mileage (gotta love cortisol). I also find it easier to have the mental bandwidth to monitor diet more closely in off season. Next race will be either Bilbao, Basque Country or Venice (thanks to you!) in October.
I’m maintaining now. Florida races in the summer are as popular as a kick in the shins. I see my weight gain is the opposite of my miles curve, so I joined a local gym. I’ll go there a few times a week to keep the fat monster at bay.
Just trying to hang on to fitness with a newborn in the home
I do not envy you! Those were my 'lost years' and they lasted a very long time with me. Hope you have a better go of it!
I remember what that's like! My youngest is 9 now, but those days are never far from my memory. It'll get easier, I promise 🙌
Haha!! Wait til puberty sets in. It's never easy, but you love them anyway!
I am currently not training for any races. However besides running, I also do Muay Thai and did my first competition this year! I would like to do one again this year so I'm mainly running to keep my cardio up.
Okay, so I didn't know what Muay Thai was before you mentioned it, and I just googled it and... wow! How did you start doing it?
I first got into martial arts because former co-workers invited me to their gym and I continued to do Muay Thai through the years
June marathon for me
I am maintaining at the moment. But I am going to ramp it up some this next week. I want to do the AF full in Sep, so will try 20 week training guide. I am still dealing with runner’s knee from 1/2 in March. But it is slowly getting better.
If it does not go as planned, I will scale back to 1/2 for AF. I have been able to even do some speed work so that has been good. I might do a 1/2 this summer but have yet to find one I want to travel to. Cincinnati Flying Pig is coming up soon but I haven’t been able to get ready because of knee.
Hope you get better soon...
I am on Day 111 of my streak.
Wow, Ben! I'm truly in awe here 🙌
Thank you. There are a lot of 1 milers in the past month of recovery. So minimum to be able to keep the streak alive. I also was able to start riding my bicycle yesterday due to good weather. That is always great cross training for me.
I am an autumn race guy so I am starting the dreaded ramp up period. I find my strategy works well on the backend, but there are about 6-8 weeks in July/August when I wonder if I should just change everything and be better about running in the winter.
But I'm in Montana, so sometimes that's not overly feasible.
I can imagine Montana would be TOUGH in wintertime to run outdoors, unless you're exceptionally hardy (and own some super-warm running clothes). We have the opposite problem here (in Atlanta) where I live; July and especially August (and early September) can be swelteringly, miserably hot. My treadmill isn't my preference, but it's a lifesaver during those months.
Yeah totally. It's amazing how much the body adapts (30 degrees feels unbearably cold in October, and then like a beach holiday in February). But I really find building any sort of consistency with unbearable weather (be it extreme cold or heat) is a real challenge.
When I decided to run marathons, it was only to do the Marine Corps Marathon in DC, but since I had never run one, I wasn't about to fly clear across the country only to find out that I couldn't do one, so I signed up for the L.A. marathon first. Almost as soon as I finished it, I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon lottery and was chosen. I was ecstatic. That was in Spring of 2020. It was cancelled. I deferred to the next year, ran it virtually in October, and continued training. In 2021 it was cancelled again, only, last minute, so I ran the L.A. one again since I had been training. FINALLY, last October, I ran the MCM. I LOVED it, but suddenly, I didn't have that goal anymore, and I admit that although I kept running, I cut back both on miles and on how hard I trained.
Fortunately, I have a daughter that likes to do HM, so she talked me into two. One in January and now one in May. VERY long story short. I am still training, but just not as seriously.
What I do to keep a bit more motivated is to listen to books about running. I will even register to them. Helps keep me going.
I have audio books on my phone and listen to them on long runs... keeps my mind off my breathing...
Is there a The Half Marathoner Strava group?
I approve of this comment.
I just signed up for your newsletter because I think there is a lot of cross-over with mine (https://kevinmcsa6.substack.com/). I also just returned from 10 years spent in Asia (with 7 being in HK) so I'm kind of a sucker for anything China related.
Thank you. Not easy returning after such a long time. Hope you're handling it well.
It's an adjustment but I think net positive so far.
Yes! Let me get the link and I'll post
Training for the Harpers Ferry half on May 20. Since I ran a marathon last month not really worried about the distance but Harpers Ferry has 1400 ft elevation so I have been trying to do hill repeats at least once a week.
When I went to DC for the Marine Corps Marathon last October, I really wanted to go hiking in the Harper's Ferry region, but just ran out of time. So much to see just in DC alone. Hopefully, I'll get to go some day, though I think I'll skip that HM. 1400 elevation sounds a bit much.
Have fun and good luck.
Thanks -- will let people know how by body responds -)
After returning home post Boston this week has definitely been a much needed recovery. But, have another race 2 weeks from Sunday. Here in Canton, Ohio it’s the NFL Hall of Fame Marathon. It’s the 10th and year final of this event and my 5th year taking part. I’ll be running the half marathon and aiming for a PR. Excited for race day. Use these next two weeks to slowly build up and work on tempo.
You are my new hero!!!
Cody, you are the over-achiever, my friend!! 😃 How was Boston?
My experience of running the 127th Boston Marathon was unlike anything. Ran my first Boston last year and it did not go well at all. It was a struggle from mile 7 on. Following last years run I was determined to make it back and run better. This year’s most prestigious marathon could not have gone any better! Having my Dad with me to be able to experience a great running event was fantastic, as well as his love and support. Felt great out there from the start and completely nailed it! This time around I knew what to expect and I was extra determined, motivated, and confident to beat my time from last year. But my biggest goal for the 127th Running was to have fun and enjoy myself. The moment from the start in Hopkinton to the famous finish on Boylston the enthusiasm from the spectators never ceases. Constant cheers and celebrations to help push and motivate every runner! My running felt so smooth. Every 5k was incredibly consistent and the legs conquered the famous Newton Hills well, although they became extremely fatigued during that five mile stretch. But with the hills behind me and then a more generous 5 miles to follow I was determined to keep those legs moving until the end. Having put so much hard work and discipline into my training since January I was not going to give in. Pushed it and gave it everything I got. Hit my fastest 5k split over those last few miles. And then Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston, the enormous roar of the crowd. Crossed the finish with my second fastest time at 2:54:09 - roughly 27 minutes better then last year! The best part, this was the most fun I’ve had in any race I’ve run! Having my name visible cheers were coming from the spectators as if they knew me. The roars of cheers on the final stretch hits differently, made sure to soak it all up. All praise to God for the endurance he has blessed me with. So thankful. No doubt the 127th Boston Marathon has been my greatest accomplishment!
I do two a year: the first the last Saturday in April along the American River in Northern California; the second the first Sunday of October along the Sacramento River and neighborhoods nearby. In 8 days the first occurs. I should probably work another half marathon or two, ideally two to three weeks after either of these events.
I'm turning 67 in 2 weeks; I ran one full marathon 4 years ago and finished in just over 6 hours. That's enough for me.
Yes, full marathons are likely in the rear view mirror for me too. I ran two in a single year once, and that nearly wiped me out! A few years later, I ran the San Diego RNR Marathon, which was fun, but also... enough 😃
I don't race, and I don't have a specific massive other goal I'm training for right now, like I had the PCT for the couple years before I did it in mind. That can make motivation tricky, because I know I need running for my happiness, mental health and fitness, but it's nicer when there's something you're aiming towards. But I always remind myself of a funny thing Alex Honnold said - most know him as a climber but he dabbles in ultrarunning and was on a running podcast, Some Work All Play - I think it was on that podcast that he said it? Anyway somehow the conversation got around to the idea of honor and how to live an honorable life, maybe vaguely in relation to warrior culture, and he said for him, it boiled down to the idea of being on the program, staying on the program. Whether climbing, running, living healthy, getting enough sleep - there are so many areas of life where that's applicable and so when I'm trying to be on some kind of program even without an end goal in sight, I remind myself that it's about honoring that version of myself I want to be and showing up, being consistent. Hard to say if that produces training that's more like building, or maintaining, but at least it helps me get out there.
Also, when did you do the PCT? And at the risk of sounding oblivious/naive, what was it like?
Last year :)) April 15 - September 26. It was the best thing I've ever done in my life!!! The great and beautiful adventure, a sufferfest but that's kind of the whole business of it - I didn't want to lie on a beach for 5+ months, I wanted to have that beauty and aliveness in my life, wanted to be pushed beyond my comfort zone, to find the reserves within me, to unlock that better, stronger version of me, to inhabit that animal self. Every day contained both bliss and misery. The trail itself, I'll never get over it, it's a gift. An incredible creation, a finished footpath of that quality through such stunning wilderness areas. It makes you strong and it also breaks you because life afterwards can never quite fill that space. Wouldn't change a thing. 1000/10 would recommend.
Wow, just wow. I (like many people) read Cheryl Strayed's book and have dreamed about it ever since. It sounds like it lived up to what she described, and even more. Were you a big trail hiker before this?
not really, I grew up hiking on a small scale with my family, and did some multi-day shakedown hikes while training for this, but nothing long that I'd qualify as a thru before the PCT. Cheryl's a great writer and her journey is more an inner one, but the book and film only scratch the surface of what the PCT is :) the one that seized me and kindled the flame was "Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home," by thru-hiking queen and ultrarunner Heather "Anish" Anderson, who smashed Scott Williamson's unsupported FKT on the PCT in 2013 and held that title for all genders for the better part of a decade. And another amazing one, "Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart," by Carrot Quinn. Those two books capture the essence of the trail, for me. Read at your own risk. :)
Thanks for this, Caitlin! I'll have to add that episode to my download list 😃
Alex is so inspiring. And so was your answer.
Had to CX the Nashville HM this weekend. I developed acute plantar fasciitis in early Feb & had to stop running. I am trying to ease back...oh so gently. It’s been a lot of one step forward and two steps back, but I’m confident I will get better. At times it’s exasperating. Had to focus on training on my stationary bike. ‘Watched a lot of Netflix while pedaling! 😎
It’s tough to not be able to run when you want to.
Oh, Howie I feel for you, brother. Rest is really the only thing that helps, I would imagine. I hope those feet feel better soon! And yes, TONS of Netflix are the only way to go on the bike!
i'm just maintaining. no races until october, and i'm coming off a years long achilles injury so these past few months i've just been enjoying being able to run! its a gorgeous 60 degrees in OC today and i had a lovely run on the boardwalk. have a great weekend y'all!
Right back at you, Kel! That sounds lovely 😃
Maintaining is hard for me. Once I finish a race I give myself about 2 weeks off. Then I start looking for the next one. I am always training for something. I wish I was better at motivating myself, but if I am not on a schedule I end up not doing anything.
I do too, to be honest. Especially after a big race, I always felt it easy to give myself a "grace period"... which ended up lasting months 😃
Last day of my taper, marathon is Saturday morning. This will be my first one after getting injured last year. Curious to see how quickly I can get back to running and what my weekly mileage will be when not training. Thinking I will try for around 30 - 35/week??
Hope you do well.
Good Luck!
Nice!!! What's your marathon this weekend?
Brew City Marathon in Milwaukee. Never done one before so let’s see what happens.
Also, now that we are entering the training season, so to speak, I also know you mentioned the idea of finding a location where we as a group might be able to plan out a "weekend" running event [maybe where a 5k. 10k, 1/2 and marathon are all available].
All, do you think it could work? Maybe a fall event to begin next season?
We've only been toying with this idea for the last 2 years. . . Late summer or fall is perfect! Please, though, not a big city! How about the Orca Half in West Seattle on Sept. 16 2023. If the race fills up on Saturday, the event managers open up Sunday, so it is two days. Just a thought. . . :)
Ooooh -- that IS a good idea, Nilima! And I hear you on the big city -- they get really pricey, really fast.
That would be a fun event... putting a face to a name...
I have *really* wanted to do this for a while, but a combination of Covid and family/kids schedules have made it hard to do. (Everything with kids happens on the weekend, you know?) I would love to do one this fall -- help me noodle on a location. We need to find a race that's in a city that's easy to get to -- which would seem to be a place like New York, Chicago or D.C., but also a race that everyone can get in and that also isn't *too* expensive. Let's think...
Most Definitely!
Could look, to start, maybe Labor Day weekend [maybe a little early] or MLK, Jr. weekend in January - tends to be one where people get that Monday off, would help for travel.
Can we "ask" everyone [if nothing else for regions in US] to get a better feel for location? Maybe could just answer here like we reply to posts...
My big races are in late July (trail marathon) and mid November (road marathon), so I'm training now, just having really shifted from ski season into running season (which for me coincides with rowing season, and that makes for some good cross-training). Thankfully, shifting from one sport to another as the seasons shift has helped me stay fresh--both mentally and physically. This winter I really committed to strength training, too, and that will be a constant across all sports. I used to focus entirely on rowing. But life is too short and there are too many fun sports experiences I want to have. Hence the multi-sport/cross-training approach!
I hear you, and love that, Henriette! What's your trail marathon this July?
It’s the Zagori Mountain Running 44km (with 2,700meters of gain!). Super well-organized races at 10k, 21k, 44k, and 80k in amazing scenery in northern Greece. I highly recommend it. Zagorirace.gr
This looks so, so cool, Henriette -- what an amazing place/setting to run in. And challenging! Do you do this a lot, alternating between trail and road races?
No, actually! For the last few years, I've done almost all trail races (not that many, though). I am registered for the Athens Marathon this November, finally getting to do the race I'd planned for, ahem, 2020. As a first-generation Greek who's spent tons of time there, this race is going to be super meaningful for me!
Wow, so appropriate for me right now. Been so busy lately that barely have time to do more than read the thread BUT this one makes me want to reply! I'm at the point where I've got no "planned" races, at last not for a while, and I just had a talk w/wife about how I'm now going into "indoor training" mode [opposite NY, train indoors for the summer]. Next week, my runs now go on a treadmill [not a big fan] because I don't want to run at 8pm, or later, at night. Feel like my winter racing went well but could also have been better. Get now to work on trying to make it both better and more enjoyable! Great thoughts here Terrell.
I'm not much of an official racer, been mostly maintaining 5k several times a week for many years now (although, of course, running is always growth, not just maintenance). And yet. Partially inspired by this Substack, also by reading recently Born to Run, I'm experimenting with running longer distances, albeit less often. So in a few minutes I'm heading out for 10k (maybe more) on the trails of the Judean foothills where I live, crossing the Elah Valley where David battlefd Goliath. Thanks Terrell for the thread!
Have you picked up the sequel to it, Shmuel? McDougall just released 'Born to Run 2' earlier this year, I think.
Just back from 10k.
Hadn’t heard of it, but gotta check it out! Once we’re at it, I’ll add that I originally heard of his work in another very relevant and quite awesome book, Go Wild by John Ratey. Highly recommend.
איפה אתה גר?
פעם גרתי בבית שמש
I live in Bet Shemesh.
Really glad to hear that, Gerry! Welcome aboard!