10 Tips to Training for a Marathon

Training for a marathon is almost always an imperfect process. This time around, I expect Boston to be an interesting 26.2 for me with my emotions, my love for the sport, and my appreciation for the supporters along the route running high. So being prepared mentally and physically is even more important.

I trained for the 2013 Boston Marathon without a true schedule, simply creating a training outline for myself from a page I ripped out of “Runner’s World” magazine. It was great and I loved my Yasso 800’s (created by the running guru himself Bart Yasso), but I didn't have a set schedule, group, or coach. For the 2013 NYC marathon, I chose the NYRR Virtual Training program. It was easy to sign up for, making a $45 commitment that allowed me to choose what day I wanted my long run, what day I wanted “off”, my goal race time, and how intensely I wanted to train. Plus, I GOT A COACH!! Yes, even though it is a virtual program, I have a live coach I can email back and forth with! And that is such a thrill because until last fall, I hadn't had a coach since 1996.

So here, from my experiences both running with and without a coach, are my 10 tips to successfully train for a marathon.

 10 Tips to Training for a Marathon

1. Set a Goal and Commit. Make your goal to run the race public and it will help you commit to keeping it. To make it even more attainable, set smaller goals along the way to reinforce your commitment and give yourself some progress markers. For example, sign up for shorter races such as a 10k and a half marathon, and use them to practice pacing and running the second half faster than the first. 



Set goals! It will help to get you to the start and across the finish

2. Use a Training Plan. No matter how many races you have or haven't run, there’s a training plan out there that will help you run smarter and faster. Do some research and pick one to help you train. As I said, I love the NYRR Virtual Training Program. I was introduced to it when I decided to run the 2013 NYC Marathon, and it made a huge difference knowing what I should be focusing on and when. Mentally figuring out what to do to train is exhausting, so when you use a program and it tells you what to, it alleviates that stress and allows you to train smarter and with confidence. For me, it takes the thought out of it. I wake up, and I already know what I’m supposed to be doing that day. It’s like a mental sherpa.

To get the other eight tips and read the rest of this post, check out my Babble blog Semi-Chlorinated Life.

Why I Decided to Run the Boston Marathon Again

April 23, 2013, running for Boston

I decided to run the 2014 Boston Marathon about two weeks after the events of April 15th last year. Boston 2013 was supposed to be my last marathon until my next milestone. My goal was to qualify for Boston and run it in my 40th year, checking a big item off my bucket list. But when what seemed to be a perfect day turned into such a tragedy, I couldn't leave marathoning with that memory. I didn't even look at the date of the event, I just felt in my heart and soul that I needed to go back, show support for the city and the running community that has supported me, and honor the victims of that day.

Part of me wanted to wait to see if I actually made the cut before finalizing everything, but when my friends kept asking me if I was going back, I felt that I would go no matter what so I looked up the date.

The Boston Marathon is always run on a Monday. This shocks people not from the northeast when they first hear it, but it’s Patriots’ Day, the third Monday of April, and Boston celebrates it in a BIG Way. The date of the 2014 Boston Marathon is Monday, April 21st, and as soon as I saw the date my heart sank. April 21st is my daughter’s birthday.

All I could think was “Oh NO! How can I pull this off? I can't do this, can I?”...

Read the rest on Babble's Semi-Chlorinated Life.

I am a runner and I love it.

There are several people in my life that don't get how I can love running as much as I do. I understand why they don't like it...it hurts their knees and it is boring are their reasons. I, on the other hand, love almost everything about it.

I started running as soon as I stopped swimming. I have been a runner for 17 years. I can't believe that...I have been a runner as long as I was a competitive swimmer. I started swimming competitive when I was 4 and retired when I was 21. Crazy! I started with an awesome run at Stanford that was very simple and fairly easy, the "Campus Loop." There was absolutely no way of getting lost. Next came the spectacular run along the marina to the Golden Gate...I used to be able to touch the bridge(before 9/11) I later moved to Colorado and started running with my dogs which became a whole other kind of adventure and where I built up a great base because of the altitude. And for 9 years I was seen every day in Central Park, running the 6 mile loop. I love running in NYC! Now I am back at altitude in Park City, UT which is at 7500 ft.

I have literally run all over the world. I have run in Italy, France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, New Zealand, Australia, Rwanda, South Africa, Mexico, Greece and all over the USA. It is the easiest and most convenient form of exercise because all you need are your shoes and and the open road! And there is no better way to get to know the town you are in than running it. I have found more local coffee shops and fun eating spots this way.

I don't race a bunch but I have run 2 NYC marathons, 3 half marathons and several 5 K's over the years. I try my best just to have fun with my races but who am I kidding, I am competitive to the end. Actually when I ran the NYC marathons, they were some of the best days of my life. I absolutely LOVED that challenge.

But when I think about running, I don't think about challenge or marathon or all the different countries and cities. I think about how wonderful it is to use my body to move and how lucky I am to be alive and healthy. It might sound cheesy but breathing in the fresh air and feeling your heart and lungs and legs and arms working all together is extraordinary. And most times, I am listening to some jammin music and loving it even more. Makes me wanna get on out there right now. Too bad it is 11pm. Guess it will have to wait till tomorrow. If you haven't tried running yet, try it, and if you have, try it again. I hope you love it like me.