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Some of my friends think that my plan to run a marathon is crazy. Maybe they’re right, but not for the reasons they think. To me, the crazy thing is doing Cycle Oregon just one month before the run. To meet this goal, I need help. I need a coach. Fortunately, Mac’s wife, Dr. Pam, is able and willing to offer her help. She’s Coach Pam to me now.
Coach Pam sent me e-mail earlier this week:
You need to check out the Portland Marathon training clinic. Don’t purchase the training program, but note the free run schedule at the bottom — these are awesome and I strongly urge you to go as often as possible. Note that they start this weekend, but you only have to go 4 miles. They have a lot of leisurely-paced groups, so don’t be intimidated. Note that if you don’t start now the runs will quickly get ahead of where you may be at.
I was skeptical. I had intended to adhere pretty closely to the advice in The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, and it doesn’t have you begin training until 16 weeks before the race. (Today is 26 weeks before the race.) But Coach Pam — and everyone else I talk to — has been encouraging me to start sooner rather than later. I decided to give it a shot.
I’ve been running once or twice a week during my Body for Life aerobic sessions. These runs are only twenty minute at a time, however, and focus on intensity intervals. I run about two miles per session. Today’s training clinic run was scheduled for four miles. Could I make it that far?
I almost didn’t get a chance to find out. Last night I began to come down with a cold. I woke with a nasty sore throat and a runny nose. I felt like staying in bed. I forced myself out of bed, however, and drove downtown to the meeting spot.
I felt out of place right away. Most of the people seemed to be experienced runners, clothed in fancy reflective running gear. They were lean and taut. I am not. But as each pace group departed for its run, the crowd began to look more and more like me until all that remained were other beginners, all dressed in beginner’s gear. “I can do this,” I thought.
We began running. Slowly. It seemed we were almost shuffling in place. “Maybe I’m in the wrong group,” I thought. We made our way to Waterfront Park, and then headed north along the seawall.
The slow pace was awkward. My feet hurt a little. My nose was running. I didn’t like the way my keys jangled in my pocket. I was lost in an internal world of self-analysis, full of whiny complaints, when the young woman at my side struck up a conversation. “Have you been running long?” she asked.
“I haven’t,” I said. “I’ve only just started running. How about you?”
She told me that she had begun running during the winter, and had been gradually building up her distances. She ran five miles in under an hour last week. “What do you do for a living?” she asked, and I told her about my web sites. I asked about her job, and learned that she’s a lawyer working with farm workers in Eastern Oregon. She’s moving to Portland in a few weeks, however, and will soon be working with farm workers in Hillsboro. She told me that she recently returned from The Netherlands. I mentioned our trip to London and Ireland last summer. She and I both expressed admiration for New York City. She asked me about my philosophy on credit cards.
Before I knew it, the run was over. We’d completed the four miles in exactly an hour. That’s a slow pace, I know, but it felt good. “We only went at 80%,” our group leader told us. “That’s intentional,” she said. “We want to keep it fun.”
It was fun. “I guess I’ll see you again in two weeks,” said the young woman I’d been chatting with.
“I guess so,” I said. As an afterthought I added, “My name is J.D., by the way.”
“My name is Mavel,” she said.
Though I’m a chatty guy with people I know, I’m uncomfortable in groups, especially groups where I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m glad Mavel struck up a conversation. It helped to pass the time, and it made the run seem like fun instead of a chore. I’ve never really understood the value of exercising with a partner before, but after just 60 minutes today it’s perfectly clear.
I’ll be back for the rest of the marathon training runs, every Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
Addendum: My friend Leo completed his second marathon last weekend. Way to go, Leo!
Mac
21 responses so far ↓
1 macdaddy // Apr 5, 2008 at 9:18 am
JD…That’s a great entry! It almost motivates me to run with you–almost. Maybe I’ll start with a 10K. Interested?
2 J.D. // Apr 5, 2008 at 9:29 am
3 grimsaburger // Apr 5, 2008 at 9:50 am
Congratulations! I’m aiming for a 10k at the end of May, and just worked up to 4 miles 3 weeks ago. It may have been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, harder even than the 5.3 I did last week and will do again tomorrow. I think it was because I ran with my husband, who runs more comfortably at a faster pace. He’s on a mission to lose weight, and was going for intensity, while I’m on a mission to just make it through 10k. I finally had to let him go on rather than try to keep up…. and have been doing the long runs by myself since, with only the help of a kick-ass mix on my Shuffle. I do soooo much better at starting slow and ending strong when I go alone. The race itself should be interesting.
Glad the running partner thing works for you, though! Anything to keep us running, right?
4 Metroknow - AlmostFit.com // Apr 5, 2008 at 9:54 am
This entry is totally inspiring - and I don’t think you’re crazy at all. And if you wanted to accelerate your weight loss, this is the way to do it. I trained for 3 months to run a 1/2 marathon, and I was 80 lbs. above my target weight. I was using the walk/run method and it really worked, and with just the running (eating pretty much anything I wanted), I lost 20 lbs in those 3 months.
I’m in the Portland area too, so you may see me at that beginner’s group in the coming weeks - I didn’t even know such a thing existed here, though I’m not surprised.
Which 10k are you thinking about? I can’t believe I’m even asking that question, but you’ve both really got me inspired.
Thanks!
5 Mo // Apr 5, 2008 at 10:13 am
way to go JD - getting out there is the hardest part!
6 Amber // Apr 5, 2008 at 11:11 am
Congrats on the run! I recently started running, too. I definitely can’t do 4 miles yet, but hopefully I’ll be able to do it one day.
7 Shanti @ Antishay // Apr 5, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Thats AWESOME! And very well-written. I can tell that you have more time to put into writing lately - the quality of you writing is just a little more refined… I can’t put my finger on it, but I like it.
I need to get running again. I guess if you can get running in Oregon, I should be able to get going here in Seattle. I need to stop being such a baby and just put up with the rain, but UGH. I don’t like it!
This is so inspiring to me. Thank you for writing your story!
8 Jeremy Kendall // Apr 5, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Way to go, J.D. ! You’re not crazy, but you do have a lot of work ahead of you. I have a goal to run a 10k in October. Your story about running a marathon is highly motivational.
I especially like what you wrote about running with a group. There’s a similar group here in Memphis that I’ve been meaning to visit, but I’ve been making a lot of excuses because I’m not sure I can hack it. Now I know I don’t have anything to fear.
Keep up the good work.
9 Coach Pam ;) // Apr 5, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Way to go, JD! I am glad you had such an enjoyable time. I really do think these group runs will make it a lot easier for you to complete your marathon goal.
These runs should feel like the pace is somewhat easy (The 80% idea is a good one). That being said, if they feel too slow for you, don’t be afraid to move up a group, especially as you get more fit.
10 Andrew is getting fit // Apr 5, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Way to go! I’ve just decided to do a half marathon this year. 30 weeks away. I’ll do the marathon next year I think.
It sounds to me like I need to find a running group!
11 McAuliflower // Apr 5, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Congrats on a great start to running. I also give big thumbs up to the walk-run pacing.
Check out any of Joe Henderson’s books. He’s a marathon trainer out of Eugene who is especially good at making anyone believe they are a runner. He is very inclusive in his style. I took a class with him at the UO and was immediately put at ease by his style and exercises. The library carries several of his books
- Running 101 is a great bedside book of daily inspiration
-And of course his marathon training book… it’s his specialty.
cheers
12 Ryan Collins // Apr 5, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I ran my first marathon last May, and used the 18 week beginner plan on HalHigdon.com. I was shocked how prepared I felt with only running four days a week. Ran it in 4:25, so I was happy. It starts out with a six mile run the first week, so if you are not up to that long of a run, you may want to practice more before starting his training
program.
I have found that I need the structure of training for a marathon to keep me motivated enough to reach my weightloss goals. Number 3 is in May!
13 brooklynchick // Apr 6, 2008 at 4:13 am
Congrats! Four miles is nothing to sneeze at - and although the thinking on this seems to change weekly, I’ve read that long workouts are just as good and important as speedy, intense ones!
I’m impressed you got out there while sick, and tried something totally new - very cool!!
14 Amy // Apr 6, 2008 at 5:56 am
Way to go, JD!!! I’m a lurker from your finance site. I ran a marathon 6 years ago, and simply could not have succeeded without a group like yours. The longer distances can get especially boring for someone who hasn’t got the “runner’s mind” yet, or most anyone actually, and it really helps to have people begin to expect you to show up to the run.
However, after years of moving around (military family), I’m now way outta shape and starting over. I’ll be following your blog for inspiration!!
PS As for the cold, the rule of thumb is that you’re good as long as it hasn’t settled into your chest and you take it easy.
15 TosaJen // Apr 6, 2008 at 9:50 am
Very cool about meeting people at the running club!
As I have been reading about your goals, though, I’m feeling a niggling concern that success is going to be doing the marathon instead of doing all the work to do the marathon. (And then maintaining your fitness at a healthy level long after that!)
When it comes down to it, the fitness is the goal, not the marathon, right? I think you should celebrate every workout that gets you to the longer mileage and faster paces. Finishing the marathon should be the bonus prize for bragging rights, not your personal measure of your accomplishment. Does that make sense?
You might not be thinking like that at all, but something about the way you were talking about the marathon.
16 Chris P. // Apr 6, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Hey J.D., I got into your GRS blog and now reading about your marathon adventure is awesome. I’m doing the Philly 10 mile Broad St. run in May and as my first race ever, I’m excited for it. Since you are now a workout junkie, I thought you might want to check out a workout program that’s sweeping across the nation, it’s called CrossFit. Basically anybody can do it (there are scaled workouts) and all of the advice/videos/pictures is free at http://www.crossfit.com
I don’t work for them, I only started it 2 months ago but it’s an incredible program that I wish I started sooner. You say you got addicted to excercising, well, prepare to be on a CrossFit high. It’s a great philosophy of combining gymnastics, power lifting, running, and many more exercise disciplines into a blog-workout system. Each day there is a different workout (workout of the day) which makes it fun, and you post your results so it’s also competitive. Like I said, it’s all free and it was even featured in this month’s Muscle and Fitness magazine. If you decide to try a workout or two, be prepared to be hooked.
17 Brigid // Apr 7, 2008 at 6:41 am
Great job! I know I couldn’t have run my 4 marathons without a group. I can do about 7 miles on my own and then I get massively bored. It’s also safer to run with a group as well.
I think you are well on your way. One small tip if you need it - I keep my car key on a quick-release thingy so it fits in the front pocket of my gear belt. The rest of my keys I leave in the car. Nothing to jingle.
As you keep increasing mileage - you’ll probably want to invest in some good running gear. Hi-tech socks are the only things that keep me from getting blisters. You’ll also find the shorts and tops with wicking material are a LOT more comfortable that plain old cotton.
It can be expensive, but you should be able to find some good deals. Definately see if you can find some cold weather gear as they should be on clearance. Besides that, it will get you into the mindset of planning for when the weather changes. Exercise is part of your life now - be prepared for the long run (so to speak).
Cheers!
18 Eden // Apr 7, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Nice work J.D. I’m such a wuss I would have stayed home if I was coming down with a cold.
Anyway, you helped inspire me to sign up for a marathon in my town. I’m looking forward to it!
19 Ross Goodman // Apr 8, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Wow, that’s an aggressive target!
I have just started jogging, I’m to embarrassed to call it running yet. My short term aim is to complete a 10k next month, long term to do a marathon before I’m 40 !
I have finally got a training partner http://www.rossgoodman.com/2008/04/08/new-training-partner/ and it definitely helps.
Mind you I also had a great session with a masseuse to loosen off my aching legs !
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