March 12th Preview

Our most recent half-marathon program ends on Saturday in Cottage Grove. Our new one, for the Eugene Half, begins Sunday. The latter is a 4.9-mile run from the Eugene Running Company, with an eight o’clock start (on the first day of the Daylight Time switch). The store opens at 7:45, and you can leave your keys there.

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 4.87 miles. You’ll run most of this distance with our marathoners, who are continuing to eight miles.

No drink service will be provided on the course this week, but get in the habit of bringing one for afterward. Weather forecast: starting temperature in 40s with small chance of rain.

WEEK ONE 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.