Comments on: The Boston Marathon http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:26:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Bill Tennille http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-41170 Bill Tennille Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:04:59 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-41170 Google is the best search engine Google is the best search engine

]]> By: Dan http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10675 Dan Fri, 21 Apr 2006 02:15:02 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10675 Mike... we are the same age and I plan on running next week hoping to qualify for next years Boston Marathon. You're right to miss it, the history, the crowd... I loved it. I've been working on keeping milage less than 40 miles per week and making the runs count. You might be able to manage it better than you think. Obviously you have the ability since you have run it before. You mentioned it at Zoe a couple of years ago so I know that bug is still in you. Mark... build your running up over a couple of years. People try to jump too marathons quickly. Get used to 5 and 10K's and then work up to a 10 miler or half marathon. Don't be over anxious. Long runs are key and good shoes too. Don't skimp on shoes. Mike… we are the same age and I plan on running next week hoping to qualify for next years Boston Marathon. You’re right to miss it, the history, the crowd… I loved it. I’ve been working on keeping milage less than 40 miles per week and making the runs count. You might be able to manage it better than you think. Obviously you have the ability since you have run it before. You mentioned it at Zoe a couple of years ago so I know that bug is still in you.

Mark… build your running up over a couple of years. People try to jump too marathons quickly. Get used to 5 and 10K’s and then work up to a 10 miler or half marathon. Don’t be over anxious. Long runs are key and good shoes too. Don’t skimp on shoes.

]]> By: charlie s. http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10524 charlie s. Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:07:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10524 You marathoners impress me. I cannot imagine training for, much less completing one. Years ago, my wife convinced me to do the "Hotter than Hell 100" in Wichita Falls. My training consisted of riding an exercise bike for about 30 minutes ,3 days a week, watching Sportscenter. Day of the race, 12,000 plus riders, 107 degree heat, 20 plus mile per hour winds, me on my bike that I had bought in 4th grade. That was the day I learned about the power of prayer. After about mile 15, I prayed constantly for a flat tire so that I could retire with dignity. Finally, at about mile 46, God granted my prayer. Never evn fixed the flat, just gave the bike away. Went 10 years before I ever evn got on another bike. Still get upset that He made me go another 30 miles or so. You guys keep up the good training. We all will be cheering you on, wherever we are. You marathoners impress me. I cannot imagine training for, much less completing one.
Years ago, my wife convinced me to do the “Hotter than Hell 100″ in Wichita Falls. My training consisted of riding an exercise bike for about 30 minutes ,3 days a week, watching Sportscenter.
Day of the race, 12,000 plus riders, 107 degree heat, 20 plus mile per hour winds, me on my bike that I had bought in 4th grade.
That was the day I learned about the power of prayer. After about mile 15, I prayed constantly for a flat tire so that I could retire with dignity. Finally, at about mile 46, God granted my prayer.
Never evn fixed the flat, just gave the bike away. Went 10 years before I ever evn got on another bike. Still get upset that He made me go another 30 miles or so.
You guys keep up the good training. We all will be cheering you on, wherever we are.

]]> By: Paul W http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10490 Paul W Tue, 18 Apr 2006 03:05:03 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10490 Mark, You can do the Chicago Marathon in October. I too was a fairly regular 3 mile guy and then decided to do the Marathon last year. I followed Hal Higdon's Novice program, which you can get free on-line once you register for Chicago. This program starts 18 weeks out from the Marathon, and I believe Chicago is in late October this year, so you have a bit more time before needing to start an official regimen. I followed the running part religiously, but didn't do his cross-training. My theory was that chasing after the kids and helping coach, etc. was plenty of cross-training. For me the other key was finding a group to train with for the increasing long runs that you will need to do on the weekends. I know others do this alone, but I could not imagine doing this. You should have no problems finding a group for this and find those doing this for the first time. I planned to finish somewhere around 4:30 and was happy to find that I got into a very comfortable rythm and finished in 4:03. No real issues with "bonking", hitting a wall, etc. either. I made my three main goals: 1. Finish (really didn't care about time from the beginning...just finish) 2. Finish strong (no limping/dragging myself across the finish) 3. Not walk funny when I got back to the office! Now if I could just forget about finding those little 3 minutes to get under 4 hours (but again, goal #1 was to finish regardless of time!) YOU CAN DO THIS!! Mark,

You can do the Chicago Marathon in October. I too was a fairly regular 3 mile guy and then decided to do the Marathon last year. I followed Hal Higdon’s Novice program, which you can get free on-line once you register for Chicago. This program starts 18 weeks out from the Marathon, and I believe Chicago is in late October this year, so you have a bit more time before needing to start an official regimen. I followed the running part religiously, but didn’t do his cross-training. My theory was that chasing after the kids and helping coach, etc. was plenty of cross-training. For me the other key was finding a group to train with for the increasing long runs that you will need to do on the weekends. I know others do this alone, but I could not imagine doing this. You should have no problems finding a group for this and find those doing this for the first time.

I planned to finish somewhere around 4:30 and was happy to find that I got into a very comfortable rythm and finished in 4:03. No real issues with “bonking”, hitting a wall, etc. either. I made my three main goals:

1. Finish (really didn’t care about time from the beginning…just finish)
2. Finish strong (no limping/dragging myself across the finish)
3. Not walk funny when I got back to the office!

Now if I could just forget about finding those little 3 minutes to get under 4 hours (but again, goal #1 was to finish regardless of time!)

YOU CAN DO THIS!!

]]> By: my http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10489 my Tue, 18 Apr 2006 02:33:39 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10489 One of the doctors in our town runs marathons across the country (including the Boston marathon). He and several of his buddies have started an organization called "Medals 4 Mettle". They give the medals that they win to people who have shown extrodainary courage in life( children with disease, cancer survivors, people who have demonstrated courage beyond what we can imagine). I think that is so cool to do. I am not an avid runner but have many sports trophies that I have won throughtout the years and now do not know what to do with them. What a great way to bless others and their accomplishments too! If anyone is interested in learning more, I think their website is www.medals4mettle.org. One of the doctors in our town runs marathons across the country (including the Boston marathon). He and several of his buddies have started an organization called “Medals 4 Mettle”. They give the medals that they win to people who have shown extrodainary courage in life( children with disease, cancer survivors, people who have demonstrated courage beyond what we can imagine). I think that is so cool to do. I am not an avid runner but have many sports trophies that I have won throughtout the years and now do not know what to do with them. What a great way to bless others and their accomplishments too! If anyone is interested in learning more, I think their website is http://www.medals4mettle.org.

]]> By: Brad http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10488 Brad Tue, 18 Apr 2006 02:04:36 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10488 oops, sorry. My fingers spazed out for a second. oops, sorry. My fingers spazed out for a second.

]]> By: Brad http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10487 Brad Tue, 18 Apr 2006 02:01:53 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10487 When I think of training for a marathon, I start to feel sick. When I think of training for a marathon, I start to feel sick.

]]> By: Brad http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10486 Brad Tue, 18 Apr 2006 02:01:19 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10486 When I think of training for a marathon, I start to feel sick. I'll stick to golf and basketball. More power to all you runners from a guy with banged up knees. Make us proud When I think of training for a marathon, I start to feel sick. I’ll stick to golf and basketball.

More power to all you runners from a guy with banged up knees. Make us proud

]]> By: Steve http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10484 Steve Tue, 18 Apr 2006 01:24:18 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10484 I'm sorry, I was wrong: it was 3,4,5,7,10. There were more Americans in the top-10 than Kenyans. Wonder when the last time that happened was? I’m sorry, I was wrong: it was 3,4,5,7,10. There were more Americans in the top-10 than Kenyans. Wonder when the last time that happened was?

]]> By: Steve http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10483 Steve Tue, 18 Apr 2006 01:22:27 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10483 Well, Americans went 3,4,6. Meb (3rd), Brian Sell (4th), and Culpepper (5th). Cheruiyot set a course record somewhere in the 2:07 range. Very fast race. vtc3po, drop me an e-mail sometime. We're moving to Boston in June. Well, Americans went 3,4,6. Meb (3rd), Brian Sell (4th), and Culpepper (5th). Cheruiyot set a course record somewhere in the 2:07 range. Very fast race.

vtc3po, drop me an e-mail sometime. We’re moving to Boston in June.

]]> By: Larry James http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10482 Larry James Mon, 17 Apr 2006 23:05:24 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10482 My best friend and I ran the Midnight Sun Marathon last June in Anchorage, Alaska. We are both in our mid-50s and it was our first--possibly our last, Mike! But we would take nothing for the experience, Moose and all! My best friend and I ran the Midnight Sun Marathon last June in Anchorage, Alaska. We are both in our mid-50s and it was our first–possibly our last, Mike! But we would take nothing for the experience, Moose and all!

]]> By: qb http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10480 qb Mon, 17 Apr 2006 22:20:58 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10480 Mark, the "next level" beyond a 2-3 mile/day habit is not a marathon; that is a quantum leap! But never fear. The opponent in the marathon for the first-timer is not lungs, but joints, and that is why the Lord in His inestimable goodness created ibuprofen and acetaminophen. And water. San Antonio '01, I was cruising easily and on a pace for a 3:40 at the halfway point, but I bonked at mile 20 and struggled to get in at 4:17. It was my first, after years of running 5-7 miles at any one time and the occasional half marathon (usually downhill, from Georgetown to Idaho Springs, CO). Bottom line? Whatever might be said for ibuprofen and acetaminophen, taken prophylactically every 5-6 miles, there is no substitute for mileage. Eight three-milers do not a 24-miler make. Jogging 4-8 miles a couple of times a week, plus one long run a week (lotsa people do this on Saturday mornings) oughta do it, increasing its length steadily each week, and then taking the last week or two easy with some easy jogs to let the pegs recover. Google the words "bonk" and "marathon" together, and you've got yourself some delightful reading. There is a tipping point, you will reach it, and the training objective for the first-timer is simply to delay that tipping point to mile 27. ;-) qb Mark, the “next level” beyond a 2-3 mile/day habit is not a marathon; that is a quantum leap! But never fear. The opponent in the marathon for the first-timer is not lungs, but joints, and that is why the Lord in His inestimable goodness created ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

And water. San Antonio ‘01, I was cruising easily and on a pace for a 3:40 at the halfway point, but I bonked at mile 20 and struggled to get in at 4:17. It was my first, after years of running 5-7 miles at any one time and the occasional half marathon (usually downhill, from Georgetown to Idaho Springs, CO).

Bottom line? Whatever might be said for ibuprofen and acetaminophen, taken prophylactically every 5-6 miles, there is no substitute for mileage. Eight three-milers do not a 24-miler make. Jogging 4-8 miles a couple of times a week, plus one long run a week (lotsa people do this on Saturday mornings) oughta do it, increasing its length steadily each week, and then taking the last week or two easy with some easy jogs to let the pegs recover.

Google the words “bonk” and “marathon” together, and you’ve got yourself some delightful reading. There is a tipping point, you will reach it, and the training objective for the first-timer is simply to delay that tipping point to mile 27. ;-)

qb

]]> By: TCS http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10478 TCS Mon, 17 Apr 2006 21:15:00 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10478 so people do that on purpose? so people do that on purpose?

]]> By: Mark http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10477 Mark Mon, 17 Apr 2006 21:07:52 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10477 Does anyone have any tips, training schedules, suggestions, etc. for running a marathon? On my life's "To Do" list, this one is near the top, plus I have extra motivation because of some health issues my son went through a few months ago. My goal is simply to finish. I don't mind having to walk at times if needed....just cross the line. Currently I run 2 to 3 miles about 3 days a week. I want to take it to the next level, but I just don't know how. I read about Jeff Galloway's run/walk technique and this interests me, but I don't know if it is really used that often. I want to run the Chicago Marathon in October so I figure I need to start a training program soon. Thanks! Does anyone have any tips, training schedules, suggestions, etc. for running a marathon? On my life’s “To Do” list, this one is near the top, plus I have extra motivation because of some health issues my son went through a few months ago. My goal is simply to finish. I don’t mind having to walk at times if needed….just cross the line. Currently I run 2 to 3 miles about 3 days a week. I want to take it to the next level, but I just don’t know how. I read about Jeff Galloway’s run/walk technique and this interests me, but I don’t know if it is really used that often. I want to run the Chicago Marathon in October so I figure I need to start a training program soon. Thanks!

]]> By: thurman8er http://preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10476 thurman8er Mon, 17 Apr 2006 20:42:02 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/04/17/the-boston-marathon#comment-10476 This has nothing to do with the marathon. The more baseball you watch, the more things you see for the first time. Yesterday, I saw a fence-clearing single. Maybe you saw it too. Javy Lopez hit one out. Erstad looked like he might have caught it. Which is why Tejada came back to first and allowed Lopez to pass him on the basepath. End result: a very long, run-scoring single. I just thought I'd share that with you, as it was all a part of John Lackey's sterling effort against the Orioles. I think he may just have a very, very good year. This has nothing to do with the marathon.

The more baseball you watch, the more things you see for the first time. Yesterday, I saw a fence-clearing single. Maybe you saw it too.

Javy Lopez hit one out. Erstad looked like he might have caught it. Which is why Tejada came back to first and allowed Lopez to pass him on the basepath. End result: a very long, run-scoring single.

I just thought I’d share that with you, as it was all a part of John Lackey’s sterling effort against the Orioles. I think he may just have a very, very good year.

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