Blogger Marathon Blog

For those people who haven't run long distances, or who are running distances they're not used to, one of the biggest suggestions I can make is to not run.  It may seem counter intuitive, but a lot of people put too much emphasis on "putting in miles".  If that's all you do, you will be working your joints pretty hard, and you'll be very susceptible to over use injuries.  And believe me, that will put a cramp in your training, and your fun.

I personally suggest taking up biking to go along with your running.  Since I do triathlons normally during the summer, I'm pretty biased, but I think it really helps.  For one, biking is no impact, so your joints will be saved, but you are still doing good cardio which helps your endurance and lung capacity.  Although you're still using your legs, you are really using largely different muscles for biking than running.  So you're still putting in a good workout, but you're giving your running legs a break while you use your biking legs.

And hey, biking is fun too, and helps things from getting boring besides.  So think about some cross training.  And while you're at it, you can check out my other blog where I'm talking about Lakefront Etiquette for bikers and runners.

This Wednesday, April 25, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. is the second Fox 6 Blog-a-Palooza at Alterra on S. 1st Street.   You can read all about it here.  I was thinking that this would be a perfect opportunity for as many of us as possible to meet, and talk about where we want to take these teams, as far as training, etc.  What are our goals, and how do we want to accomplish them?

Interested?  Available?  Drop a comment and let's see how many people we can get.

Don't worry everyone... I haven't forgotten about ya'll.  I'll admit though, that this cold weather is bringing me down.  Well, that and the nagging cough and chest congestion I've had.  As soon as the weather warms up a bit more, I want to start organizing some runs and really bring us into full gear.  But until then...

We still need one more person.  I've been asking around, but I'm having some problems finding that last person to run the 7 mile leg on Team 2.  So blog about it... ask your friends... let's get a full second team before training starts!

And most of all... pray, beg, dance... do whatever you do for warmer weather!

I just thought I'd give an official update with the teams as I think I see them so far.  This is based on the comments and emails I've had with various people.  If you see something here you don't like, or want to move things around, let me know and we can try to work it out.

Team 1:

Leg 1: 7 miles - Carlos
Leg 2: 3.5 miles - ididwhat
Leg 3: 8 miles - Nick
Leg 4: 7.5 miles - Jen

Team 2:

Leg 1: 7 miles - Open
Leg 2: 3.5 miles - Amy
Leg 3: 8 miles - Pastor Mark
Leg 4: 7.5 miles - Ally

We're up to five people now, which makes one full team plus one to start a second team.  Spread the word, we only need 3 more people to make two complete teams!  With that little update out of the way, back to the point of this post.

For those who are looking to join the team, it's time to think about buying some running shoes.  We'll be putting on some miles, so I strongly suggest getting a pair of actual running shoes (not tennis shoes or cross trainers).  I'd also suggest heading out to a store which specializes in running shoes, so that you can get some help buying a pair that's best for you.

I just went out an bought a fresh pair of Nike Air Motto's at Rodiez's Running Store on Lincoln Ave. just west of Hwy. 100.  If you're in that area, try stopping by.  Once you're used to one brand of shoe, you generally want to stick with them.  I've been running with Air Motto's for several years, and really like them.  Of course, your mileage may vary, so you'll want to go someplace that will help you find something that fits your foot and build.

So, while we're still finding team members, and organizing how this will all work, get yourself some new shoes, and get ready.  The warm weather is here... and running will begin soon!

Jen was asking in the comments of an earlier post about registration fees and sign up deadlines, etc. so I thought I'd put up a post in this regard.

Relay teams cost $120 to register.  So, with 4 people per team, it should be pretty reasonable to split the cost down the line and have everyone chip in $30.  That gets everyone on the team a nice race shirt, as well as free food and drink at the end.  It's a very well run race, and the relay is well organized with buses from the finish to the start line, as well as to all the relay transition points, so it's worth the money.  I'll ask that once the teams (if there are more than one) come together, that each team designate a leader to collect the money and register the team members.  Only one form gets filled out per team, so don't get in too much of a hurry and try to register today.

The registration limit is 140 teams.  From previous years experience, it generally fills up about 4 - 6 weeks before the event.  So there's no real hurry at this point to get everyone locked in and set in stone.  Obviously as the race approaches and registrations climb, we'll want to get things nailed down, but for now I'm more interested in getting as much excitement built instead of hard commitments.

And once again, if anyone has any questions or concerns about how this is going to work, please feel free to ask.  I'm winging quite a bit of this, so I'm probably forgetting something that you'd like to know.

First, I'd like to say that I'm very excited that we already have two people who have decided to join the team, Carlos and Jen.  I'm adding all the team members to the right side area.  That means that we have one more spot open for the first team... so get a move on and sign up!  You can sign up by leaving a comment here.

Since the Lakefront Marathon is October 7th, and it's only the middle of March, why start so early?  As I said in the first post of this blog, my hope is to have a team of people who aren't hardcore runners.  That means that I full expect that it's going to take time and effort for people to get up to the required running distance.  The 3.5 mile leg is still unspoken for, and so if you've never run before, that might be the ideal distance.  But even if you have run before, but it's been a while, 7 miles may seem like a huge bite to try to chew.

My hope is that as the weather warms, and spring comes into bloom, and we have our team (or teams) put together, that we'll be able to setup times and places to train together, and offer mutual support.  And if you run into a stumbling block, you'll have a group of people who can help you through it, whether it's helping to improve your form to reduce running pain, offering tips and tricks, or just lending a supportive ear.

My name is Nick Schweitzer.  For those of you who don't know me, I normally write at two other blogs, The World According to Nick and The Coding Monkey.  I also write book and television reviews for Blog Critics.  During the summer, I'm an amateur triathlete, but I wasn't always that way.  For many years I was significantly overweight, and took about a year and a half to lose about 80 pounds, which I've successfully kept off for more than 3 years now.

When I hit one of my first plateaus during weight loss, I got motivated to continue by my coworkers at the time who were runners.  They were putting together a relay team to run in the Lakefront Marathon, and asked me to join.  That was my first race, and got me back on track.  I've always looked back on that experience fondly, and have wanted to do another relay since then.

So now to my proposal.  I'd like to put together a team of bloggers to do this year's Lakefront Marathon.  I tried last year, but events ended up popping up that kept me from following through.  This year I'm serious.  I'm looking for people who are willing to blog about their experience.  You don't have to be a hard core runner.  In fact, it's probably better if you aren't.

Are you trying to get into running and need encouragement?  Are you losing weight and are looking for a goal to help you on your way?  We can help.  I need at least 3 other people to make a complete team.  But if there is enough interest, we can even put together two or more teams.

The relay consists of 4 legs:

Leg 1: 7 miles
Leg 2: 3.5 miles
Leg 3: 8 miles
Leg 4: 7.5 miles

I'll take the longest leg, unless someone else really wants it.  Are you interested?  Leave a comment on this post if you are.  More details to follow as we begin to get our crew together.