March 15th Preview

Our full team of half-marathoners gathers for the first time this Sunday for a 4.8-mile run. Meet at the Eugene Running Company for an 8:00 start. The store opens about 15 minutes earlier.

The route: Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don't cross. Turn right onto bike path, to Valley River footbridge and across. Turn left, to Ferry Street, across and back to store. GPS distance is 4.81 miles. (Keep going past the "finish" to round it up to 5.00 if you're so inclined.)

Remember: this is not a race. Find your own comfortable pace -- ideally one that you can eventually hold for 13.1 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at south end of Valley River footbridge (about 2.5 miles). Weather forecast: starting temperature in 50s with rain likely.

You'll run the first four miles with our marathoners, whose distance that day is eight.

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.