“Blue Horseshoe loves Anacott Steel.” It’s the obscure remark that Bud Fox made to Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street that translated to “buy now.”
So what’s the insider tip for runners? What’s going to give a runner the leg up, a greater return on their investment? Because I’m looking to invest in some high yield bonds over the next few months — something with an increased rate of return. I’d like to run a faster, better, and stronger marathon in October.
I’m not a professional runner by any stretch of the imagination, and I’ve never proclaimed to be. I’ve had no formal training, haven’t attended any classes, and have never gone to any info sessions. The only thing that makes me a runner is my will to run.
What is going to give me a greater return on my investment this year? I’ve got 16 grueling weeks of training ahead of me. Certainly there are a ton of training methods. Just Google marathon training and you’ll come up with a million hits.
Is one better than another? The training I did last year certainly worked; I finished the marathon and that was my goal. Well, actually, my only goal was to make it through “the Gauntlet” and “Beat the Bridge.”
What is Beat the Bridge? Runners must reach the 14th Street Bridge at Mile Marker 18 by 1:15 PM, after which it reopens to vehicular traffic. Any runners unable to "Beat the Bridge" will be required to board the straggler buses and be driven to the event finish area.
Bummer if you don’t make that, right? So during my 16 weeks of training, my only thought was “Don’t end up on that straggler bus.”
Last summer, I followed the training method set up by David Whitsett, author of The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer. Whitsett detailed his years teaching a running course at the University of Northern Iowa, the final exam of which was running a marathon. Out of approximately 200 students, all but one student finished the marathon, which gave me a lot of confidence that I could pass the final exam, too. And I did. His tips and method focused on longevity and distance, and less on speed and strength. Looking back at his method, I think it’s great for someone who may be apprehensive about their ability.
Am I going to read this book again this year? For sure! It’s right on my nightstand. But am I going to explore some other training methods as well? Absolutely.
I’m following the 16-week-training plan set up by Fleet Feet Sports, and so far I’m staying right on track. Anyone who registers to run the 2017 Marine Corps Marathon with Team InterVol will receive this complimentary marathon training package, too, as well as complimentary registration in the Rochester Half Marathon on September 17, 2017.
Ultimately though, the fear of that straggler bus will keep me motivated!