Week 3 of Marathon Training

Another easy week as we begin increasing our mileage in this novice training plan. The week calls for two 3 mile runs and one 4 mile run, plus a long run of 5 miles. Due to the Women's Distance Festival this weekend, many of us will be running that instead of meeting for the long run. Since the proceeds benefit Girls on the Run, a group I volunteer for - I'm making that my priority this week and will catch up with you all next Saturday, July 15th when we do nine miles. There's three options for you:

• Run the Woman's Distance Festival on Saturday and then tack on three miles afterwards.
• Run with Tim Butler's group at the fairgrounds at 7am as they do the Abe's Amble Course.
• Meet up with fellow runners at Panera West with a time and course you guys decide in this post.

Above all, stay hydrated. There's a great article in this month's Runner's World about the necessity of maintaining proper hydration during these long, hot runs. Also, this month's Runner's World has an interesting article on a rookie runner completing his first marathon. Click here to read his story.

For more motivation, read Steve Perbix's story. His final line sums up why training with other runners helps so many of us. This statement sums up why I drive every Saturday morning to run with you all in Springfield, no matter how late I've been on on Friday night! I couldn't do it without all of you. He says,

"Whether I race often or a little, whether I run fast or slow, whether I train well or not, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be a part of a group of runners who are willing to give of themselves to train, but also to assist and support their fellow runners. In short, the only thing better than running, I suppose, is doing it in the company of one's friends."


This Thursday - there is a group meeting at Washingon Park to run a few hills beginning at 5:30 p.m. We'll start out by running east around the park to warm up, stopping at the base of one of the hills. We'll run up that hill and then turn left, run the straightaway and then turn right up the hill out of the park into the subdivision (Feldkamp). Turn around and go back where we started. Repeat 4 times and then finish the rest of the park loop. This is similar to what Tim did in the HalfWits training group. If I have it mapped right - this is about a five mile workout, a little longer than what's scheduled for Novice runners, but a great workout anyway.

Hope to see you all there!

Mary

Upcoming Events:
July 4th - 5K in Jacksonville - carpooling from Cubs West at 6:30 a.m.

Jack Track Workout on Wednesday - 5:30 p.m. at Springfield High School followed by a get together at Boone's at 6:30 p.m.

July 8th - Women's Distance Festival 2 mile race

July 22nd - Saturday Social at Tom Madonia Park - Click here for more information.