I got a book in the mail this past week, which had an appealing title "How to Run a Person Record." I should read the descriptions and the reviews a bit better before I hit the button to make the $25 Amazon free shipping.
I got to the part where it said "put 5-8 minutes in the bank at the half way point, because almost all recreational runners fade in the last miles of the marathon" and I tossed the book aside in anger. This is not what I believe; positive splits and death march fade at the end is not how it must be! I refuse to believe that.
Back in January, it seemed like a good idea to put the heavy cross training and weight training ideas to the test. Loosely based on the "Run Less Run Faster" philosophy, leaning heavily on the multi-sport community experience, it was not a scientific experiment -no double blind. Yet, of the three first time marathoner', not one of them got out of the mid 30some mile range of run only. Heavy cross training 2-4 days per week - deep water running, outdoor cycling, spinning, swimming, weights. "I would get bored just running" was a comment I heard more than once.
The results- all three first time marathoner's made their goal of four hours, with even or negative splits. I was hard pressed to stay with Candice in the last 7-8 miles. My legs are pretty well shot and past peak for the season, but she kept getting faster, and faster- picking up 4 minutes negative split over the halfway point.
Craig and Danelle came across the line running fast and strong, whooping and hollering. 'Woohoo..'
I can't express hard these runners worked, and how impressed I am with their "grit, guts and determination" to borrow a phrase. Their personal efforts were awesome. Yet, I can't help but think about the training aspect, and about looking back at how long it took me personally to have a 'good race' at marathon distance using a run only approach.
To have all three come across the line strong, make their goals and be very happy about it, talking about future plans, seems a helluva lot better than "put some time in the bank because you will inevitably fade."
Well done Craig, Candice and Danelle. You are my heroes this week.
-Larry
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