Mission Chicago

[BigRunner]

Ok, it's official. I am registered to run the Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2007.

My goals are as follows:
1. Be on Atkins and closing in on goal weight by October 7th.
2. Post here and in the Cool Running thread for accountability.
3. No taking sheduled running days off for "laziness" or any other EXCUSE.
4. Make a run at 4 hour marathon.

Regarding #4, obviously I would be happy with getting to the finish line. I have run 2 prior marathons. Detroit in '05 in 4:48, then Marine Corps Marathon in DC in '06 in 5:12. For both marathons, I weighed in the 220s.

Please bring out the whip if you see me AWOL for more than 2 days.

Rich

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

2.2 miles.
Back to back runs for the first time in a while.

Rich

[Richt]

Re: Mission Chicago

Good luck Rich. I look forward to reading / hearing about your progress. I hope to do a marathon one day too.

Rich

[ttdriver]

Re: Mission Chicago

ALL RIGHT RICH! WTG committing to a full marathon ! That's no small task, but you've already shown you can do it, so just keep up with your training and you will ROCK CHICAGO!

Which training program are you following?

Betty

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

2.18 miles

Betty: Right now I'm just getting a couple of miles in most days. Next, I'll start with a schedule that builds miles slowly to 30-35 miles per week by late June. Then, I think I'll do one of the Hal Higdon Intermediate programs for the final 16 weeks or so. Last marathon I went overboard with miles leading up to the marathon and wound up with severe burn out starting from a month before the marathon(September) and lasting through December. I will definitely run fewer 20+ mile training runs. Ran 6 last time around with 3 22 mile runs. I'm not sure running past 20 miles (especially as slow as I am) is that beneficial.

Sorry about the long reply, you know how runners can be once you get them started.

Rich

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

Getting back to it. 5 miles in.

[ttdriver]

Re: Mission Chicago

Rich,

I totally agree with your training plans. I also agree that runs over 20 miles really aren't that beneficial in preparation for a marathon. The last 6.2 are brutal, no matter how well trained you are.

As one runner at Disney had on the back of his shirt:

MARATHON: Desire over reason.

Absolutely.

YOU WILL DO THIS!

Betty

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

3.5 miles in

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

Monday: 2.45 miles
Tuesday: 3 miles

Getting more consistent in getting the miles in. The eating part of Atkins is going real well. Easy in fact. No temptations. Looking forward to getting into Onderland in the next month or so and getting down to sub-12 minute miles at a 75% of max heart rate. I'm pretty slow right now compared to the other "speed demons" here in the cool running thread.


Rich

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

3 miles in.

RichF

[ttdriver]

Re: Mission Chicago

Monday: 2.45 miles
Tuesday: 3 miles

Getting more consistent in getting the miles in. The eating part of Atkins is going real well. Easy in fact. No temptations. Looking forward to getting into Onderland in the next month or so and getting down to sub-12 minute miles at a 75% of max heart rate. I'm pretty slow right now compared to the other "speed demons" here in the cool running thread.


Rich

Rich, you are making tremendous progress! I am so happy for ya!!!

KEEP IT UP, MAN!

Betty

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

3 miles in.

Rich

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

2.5 miles in 30 minutes (12 minute miles). Not fast, but average heart rate was just 126.
Making progress.

Rich

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

Having 2 marathons in the next year is helping to keep the motivation up.
Chicago - October 7, 2007.
Walt Disney World - Half Marathon 1/12/08, Full Marathon 1/13/08.

3 miles in. 36 minutes. Heart rate average: 129
Will probably look to duck under 12 minute miles for the short runs starting next week.

Rich

[BigRunner]

Re: Mission Chicago

3 more miles today. Daily runs are starting to become second nature again. Finally over the burn out that led up to last year's marathon. Definitely going to go a little more conservative with the mileage this time around. Right now, no aches or pains or nagging anything. Running more on the treadmill that I'd like, but with temps in the single digits for HIGHS, I'll wait for better temps to hit the roads.


Rich