Marathon Training Commences

January is finally here, and that means training begins for the Country Music Marathon. I wanted to take some time to catalog my thoughts in preparation for the 4 month training process.

Running Prep - As with any sport, you can spend as little or as much as you would like on equipment to complement your training. I would say a great pair of running shoes are a MUST. Plan to spend between $100-$125 for a good pair of running shoes. Going to a reputable shoe store (i.e., Fleet Feet, Athlete's House) is very important. They will analyze your foot and running gait to put you in the most comfortable shoes for distance running. Again, this is a MUST. If you need socks or shirts, I would recommend non-cotton materials. A wicking material that allows moisture to escape is very important when running for an extended amount of time. Be sure to wear attire appropriate for the weather. My favorite website to check for attire is Runner's World's What to Wear - http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/

Training Program - find a training program & STICK TO IT. Discipline is the only requirement to accomplish any goal involving distance running; and this discipline is 80% mental (20% physical). I would advise finding a running partner that will hold you accountable, especially if you have trouble holding yourself accountable. I'm a little concerned this year because I don't have my accountable partner (my wife) running with me. This leaves me to resort to the peer pressure of my running group to assure I am doing more than what I feel is possible within myself. Training for an extended period of time requires you to modify your lifestyle to accomodate this change in routine.

Before your long run - find a routine and stick to it, especially for your long run each week. My long run each week is on Saturday morning at 7am with the training team at Fleet Feet in Brentwood. My routine begins at 5pm the day before. On Friday night I have a very bland, safe dinner. This prevents stomach volatility on Saturday morning. NO ALCOHOL on Friday night. The worst feeling is to be dehydrated on a long run. It starts bad, and ends worse. Get to bed at a reasonable time on Friday night. Wake up Saturday morning at the same time you would for marathon race day. For me, 5:30a. Eat the same thing every Saturday morning. For me, English Muffin with peanut butter and granola. If possible, give yourself enough time for a bowel movement before your long run. This talk is not taboo for runners. Distance running brings alot of volatility to runner's stomachs. If you don't believe me, run at the back of the pack for a while. Follow the same routine every Saturday until race day, and don't veer. Find an energy snack that works with your stomach during your run. I've been through quite a few, and settled on Orange flavored Sport Beans. Routine, routine, routine. It only takes breaking the routine once to appreciate the value.

During your long run (training) - Try to find a training group to join. There are several in Nashville. You'll meet great people, and people that share your interest (health). Training groups usually have water stops setup, along with a pre-determined route. These are INVALUABLE. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself on mapmyrun.com trying to create daisy chains around a single water stop that add up to 16 miles. It is not fun to plan, and less fun to run. If you do run with a group, be respective of social dynamics. Some like to run with an iPod and not converse. Some are willing to talk the entire run. Find your comfortable medium, and pair up with them. As much as you are coerced, never talk about: politics, religion, or controversial social topics. Everyone in your running group listens to your conversation, even if they are not a part of it. You will be running with this group for up to 3 hours at times. I think you get my point. If you are training in a group, you are likely to run across one person that just will NOT SHUT UP. You will hate this person for a period of time during your run. Over the long haul, you will appreciate the distraction. If nothing else, you'll look for things that keep your focus off your shin splints, feet throbbing, and ITBS band screaming at you. Even if it's a talker.

After your long run (training) - never do any extraneous activity the day after your long run. Let your body heal. When you start getting up in the mileage (16 - 20 miles), you might consider ice baths immediately after your long run. This is a miserable thought, I know. But ice baths will have you muttering words your mother never knew existed going in, but you'll feel like a Sunday morning coming out (I hope there isn't a blasphemist undertone there). Once you've taken them a couple times, you come to depend on them. Ask Jennifer. I was a believer, she was not. She eventually felt so much pain after the long runs that she'd try anything. Eventually, SHE would ask ME to stop for ice on the way home. She even had a cute ritual where she would put on a toboggan, gloves, and a sweater before taking her 10 minute turn in the icy tub.

Race Day - FOLLOW YOUR ROUTINE. Don't veer. Even if the marathon has some cool sports drink it offers for you to drink at each station. If you are used to drinking water, drink water. Speaking of drinking, drink at every station. You don't have to drink the entire cup, but drink. If you find yourself getting thirsty, it's too late. Getting dehydrated by the end of your run just adds insult to the injury you are asking your body to edure for 26 miles. Be extra cautious in your raceday plans. Jennifer & I ran the San Diego marathon last year. We thought we had planned well until we came downstairs 30 minutes before start time to find the taxi line lined through the hotel lobby. Saving you the drama, we ran 2 miles to the start line before the marathon even started.

Jennifer has a list of lessons learned from last year's training. I'll be sure to get it, and add it in a future blog. She added to her list every week after our training, so it's a bit more 'to the point'. It involves the various types of road kill you are likely to encounter while running country roads, along with the ongoing contention between runners & bicyclists.

My only intent in this blog was to lend you my experience. I've read several others' blogs about their marathon training, and attempted to integrate their lessons into my routine.

The only objective in distance running is to define a goal you think may be unachievable, then put all the resources you have at your disposable to exceed it.

Sorry for the long blog.

God is Love!

Jason