become a runner

I have great respect for anyone who has ever completed a marathon. No matter how fast or how slow.

Today I wanted to cross the finish line of the San Francisco Marathon. I wanted to get my race medal. (It can also be used as a coaster.) However, I had no desire to actually do/run miles 14-26.2.

So what did I do? Three things. I decided to suck it up. I discarded any expectations for finishing within any particular time. (I originally wanted to finish in 4h45m or at least under 5h.) And, I worked on enjoying the view, my fellow competitors, and the fact that the marathon is a challenge. A challenge that I could appreciate as much while doing it as after it was over.

This morning I ran 16 miles with the San Francisco Marathon Training Program. Our pacer mentioned that she and a few other pacers are going to become certified coaches. I just checked the Road Runners Club of American and am considering becoming certified myself. The class is only 2 days and $250.

This reminds me of The 4 Hour Work Week chapter on how easy it is to become an expert. I don’t know what I’d do with the running coach certification. But, at some point it might come in handy.

On January 24, 2009 I began training with the San Francisco Marathon Training team. The first eight weeks of training was focused on being prepared for the Emerald Across the Bay 12K run on March 15, 2209.

The following Saturday, March 21, 2009 we begin the training for the marathon. Or in my case the half marathon. The first eight weeks of the half marathon training program has us running only 3-7 miles each Saturday. Since Bay to Breakers is longer than 7 miles, I plan to follow the first nine weeks of the beginning marathon schedule. That plan has 6-9 mile runs each Saturday.

After Bay to Breakers, I’ll switch down to the half marathon schedule. By then, the half marathon group will be running 9-13 miles each Saturday. That should have me well-prepared for the San Francisco Half Marathon. But, I won’t be burnt out and will be able to increase my mileage at the end of the year as I train for the Silicon Valley Marathon.

So in the immediate future, my workouts will be as follows. On Tuesdays, I’ll do a track work out. On Thursdays I’ll run 30-50 minutes around Lake Merritt. And, on Saturdays, I’ll run 6-9 miles. Other days will either be rest days or cross training days.

It’s official. I’ve registered for the Silicon Valley Marathon on 10-26-09. After two years of running and several half marathons, I’ve decided to take on the challenge of running 26.2 miles.

So far I have signed up and paid for three events. Dates, events, and distances are listed below.

5/17 Bay To Breakers (7.46 miles)
7/26 San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
10/04 San Jose Rock and Roll Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

There are two other events I want to participate in. In July there is a 5k that supports a local trauma center, Eden Medical Center Run to the Lake. In August there is usually a 10K that supports the Alameda Parks and Recreation Department. Last year they canceled the Alameda run. A staff member said it cost more to put on the event than they raised. I hope the event comes back.

I might volunteer at a few other races.

This was a tough race. At some point there was a Team in Training coach shouting to his team, “you own the hills, the hills don’t own you.” Well, I think the hills owned me. I finished the race in 2:17:08 and don’t plan on turning in the race report my coach requested to my running group.

The necklace, and finisher’s t-shirt are great. The after-race brunch and massage in the VIP tent were wonderful.

Now, I only have one more event left this season, the CIM Marathon Relay. There I’ll only run 6 or 7 miles.

Last Sunday, I completed the first of two half marathons I have scheduled for October. I ran the San Jose Rock and Roll Half Marathon in 2:10:32. I ran the last half of the race faster than the first half of the race and felt pretty good after the race. My next event is the Nike Women’s Half Marathon next Sunday.

October 5 is the San Jose Rock and Roll Half Marathon. October 19 is the Nike Women’s Half. My other goal is to run both events in less than two hours and fifteen minutes. If the runs weren’t two weeks apart and if Nike wasn’t hilly, I’d want to run San Jose in less than 2:05 and Nike in less than 2:10.

This is doable. Last year I ran a 10K in 1:00:26 after starting the race late. If I keep training as I have been for the last two months, all I have to do is find an accurately measured 10K to run. If nothing better comes to my attention, I participated in the October Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders Fourth Sunday Run.

I’m running with Club Run SF in the hopes of gaining an entry to the sold out Nike Women’s Half Marathon on October 19. Club Run SF has a frequent runner program. Runners earn punches on the frequent runner card for attending runs, trying out Nike products, and getting friends to attend runs. It takes 25 punches to get into the race. 15 punches is worth a free training t-shirt. I have 21 punches and got my shirt today. I can get three more punches for attending runs, 5 punches for bringing friends, and 1 mystery punch. I’m a little worried that I’ll get stuck at 24 punches. Really, who do I know who will attend a run at 8am on a weekend morning or 6pm on a Wednesday. The scene at Club Run SF is rather chaotic. Who knows what that mystery punch is all about. Will I make it to 25 punches?