Sport Today

by **Morgan Hartma** » Mon, 28 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Hi! My husband and I are planning to run the Chicago marathon this year
- kind of a *** decision, but we both have always wanted to do a
marathon, and this one is ideal for us. However, I personally run for
distance, and the longest run I have under my belt is a half-marathon
race I ran in 1:54. I typically run 25-35 miles per week - several 5-7
milers and a long one (10-13) once or twice a week. My husband runs
for speed, and usually logs 10-20 miles per week. Now, we are not
planning to run the entire marathon, and we both expect to be fairly
sore afterwards, but my question is, Are we crazy to even try it? What
kind of feedback can you guys give me/us!!!!!! Morgan

by **postmaste** » Mon, 28 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

>Hi! My husband and I are planning to run the Chicago marathon this year -
>kind of a *** decision, but we both have always wanted to do a
>marathon, and this one is ideal for us. However, I personally run for
>distance, and the longest run I have under my belt is a half-marathon race
>I ran in 1:54. I typically run 25-35 miles per week - several 5-7 milers
>and a long one (10-13) once or twice a week. My husband runs for speed,
>and usually logs 10-20 miles per week. Now, we are not planning to run
>the entire marathon, and we both expect to be fairly sore afterwards, but
>my question is, Are we crazy to even try it? What kind of feedback can
>you guys give me/us!!!!!!

Take it easy and don't hesitate to quit.

Seriously. If you haven't done a series of long runs culminating in at
least one 20 mile run, I would be extremely careful.

Have fun. Chicago's a great Marathon.

--
GK

FrodoJRR at Interaccess dot

by **Ozzie Gonta** » Mon, 28 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

> Hi! My husband and I are planning to run the Chicago marathon this year
> - kind of a *** decision, but we both have always wanted to do a
> marathon, and this one is ideal for us. However, I personally run for
> distance, and the longest run I have under my belt is a half-marathon
> race I ran in 1:54. I typically run 25-35 miles per week - several 5-7
> milers and a long one (10-13) once or twice a week. My husband runs
> for speed, and usually logs 10-20 miles per week. Now, we are not
> planning to run the entire marathon, and we both expect to be fairly
> sore afterwards, but my question is, Are we crazy to even try it? What
> kind of feedback can you guys give me/us!!!!!! Morgan

Morgan,

If you have a month to go do the following.

Next Saturday, go out with your husband and walk the 26 miles. Suggest
that you do a loop of 6 or 8 miles so that you cross the starting point at
3 or more times. Have your car there with all the aid that you need,
different shoes, change of clothing, vasaline/Bag Balm, sock, several T
shirts. And anything else to make your walk comfortable. Know that it will
take you 6 hours or so.

Now once you have walked the marathon distance, know that you won't be any
longer in the Chicago Marathon. During the marathon you'll run and walk
the entire way and will probably finish somewhere between 4:30 and
5:30...and you won't have any worries the last 6 to 10 miles, knowing that
you walked the distance.

The reason for the loops is that psychologically it is most difficult to
start again, and that'w what I want you to experience, that you can
continually start again and not be distracted by thoughts.

Also send a SASE for a back bib from the IAM Psyching Team to wear in the
Chicago. It will give you the added support while at the same time
supporting everybody who reads it...aloud (that helps you) or to
themselves.

--
In health and on the run,
Ozzie Gontang
Maintainer - rec.running FAQ
Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975
(Mindful Running) http://SportToday.org/

by **Clif** » Tue, 29 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

>Hi! My husband and I are planning to run the Chicago marathon this year
>- kind of a *** decision, but we both have always wanted to do a
>marathon, and this one is ideal for us. However, I personally run for
>distance, and the longest run I have under my belt is a half-marathon
>race I ran in 1:54. I typically run 25-35 miles per week - several 5-7
>milers and a long one (10-13) once or twice a week. My husband runs
>for speed, and usually logs 10-20 miles per week. Now, we are not
>planning to run the entire marathon, and we both expect to be fairly
>sore afterwards, but my question is, Are we crazy to even try it? What
>kind of feedback can you guys give me/us!!!!!! Morgan

ahh... it's only 26 miles. run it real slow, walk when you get tired.
drink plenty and eat some of the bars and goo stuff. there'll be people who
do it slower than you, so you'll get your encouragement through the entire
course. If you just want to finish a marathon (as opposed to racing), just
take it easy and not worry about the time.

by **Mike Tenne** » Tue, 29 Sep 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

>Hi! My husband and I are planning to run the Chicago marathon this year
>- kind of a *** decision, but we both have always wanted to do a
>marathon, and this one is ideal for us. However, I personally run for
>distance, and the longest run I have under my belt is a half-marathon
>race I ran in 1:54. I typically run 25-35 miles per week - several 5-7
>milers and a long one (10-13) once or twice a week. My husband runs
>for speed, and usually logs 10-20 miles per week. Now, we are not
>planning to run the entire marathon, and we both expect to be fairly
>sore afterwards, but my question is, Are we crazy to even try it? What
>kind of feedback can you guys give me/us!!!!!! Morgan

You're not crazy, it sounds like a very nice husband/wife experience. Good on
you.

As an alternative to Ozzie's advice, <WALK 26 miles in training???> you might
experiment with finding an acceptable jog/walk ratio that you both feel
comfortable with.

I'd suggest trying a 3 minute jog/ 2 minute walk routine. I experimented with
that as a fall-back survival mode for Ironman Canada and found I could sustain
it easily when tired. Just enough jogging so you feel like you're making
progress, and not too long of a walk.

Mike "Have fun" Tennent
"TriBop"
'98 Ironman Canada, 16:17:03

by **EJM** » Wed, 30 Sep 1998 04:00:00

I am training for my first marathon and it has been a humbling experience.
On the other hand, I have a friend who ran her first marathon on a running
base of 6 miles per day and one (yes ONLY one) long run of 10 miles the
week before the race. She finished in under 5 hours. I wouldn't try this
approach but the point is: you can finish a marathon if you really want
to.
Also, look for a new book out called "First Marathons" by Gail Waesche
Kislevitz. Hardcover; stories about first encounters with the marathon.
It might be the inspiration you need.
Good luck!

Quote:

> > Hi! My husband and I are planning to run the Chicago marathon this
year
> >Now, we are not
> > planning to run the entire marathon, and we both expect to be fairly
> > sore afterwards, but my question is, Are we crazy to even try it? What
> > kind of feedback can you guys give me/us!!!!!! Morgan