May 17th Preview

An ending and a beginning conveniently coincide this Sunday. We celebrate not just last Sunday's efforts but also the past months of Sundays together. And we look ahead to the summer of training as a team. 

I realize that not all of you will continue, but I'm sending this message to everyone this week only. Our summer training will target the Coburg Half (July 19th), and Portland Marathon (October 4th) or Victoria Marathon/Half (October 11th). Everyone trains the same through Coburg.

For the last time until next winter, we'll start at 8 o'clock. (Next week and from then on through September it's 7:30.) Begin and end at the Eugene Running Company.

The route is a little less than five miles, or shorter if you choose: Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and across. Turn onto bike path, to Valley River footbridge and across. Turn right, back to Ferry and store. GPS distance is 4.87 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at Valley River, about halfway. Weather forecast: starting temperature in 40s with little chance of rain.

WEEK 1 LESSON: YOUR PROGRAM

Question: What is the rationale behind this training program?

Answer: This half-marathon program is, fittingly, almost precisely half the one that our marathon Teams follow successfully. You train as the marathoners do early in their program – except that 13.1 miles is your end point, and 11 miles is your longest training run. You also train under conditions that mimic those of the race. Our group runs are nearly flat. If you want hill training, add some to your midweek runs. Our Sunday runs are on hard surfaces, because that’s where the race is run. You can seek out softer ground during the week. You run no faster in Sunday training than you will go in the race. Practice for speed elsewhere.