Question: I plan to join a marathon training program to run the Chicago marathon in '97.
Problem is, I'll be heading back to school and miss the last 6 weeks of
training with a group. That means I'll be training on my own those last
weeks. SHould I put it off for a year until I graduate? Basicaly, I want to
know if I will be missing out on the comraderie that comes with training in a
group. any advice? I'm running 10-mile races and need a new challange (yes,
I have the motivation to stick with the program without the group atmosphere)
Answer:1. I'm sure you'll be okay if you have the desire to follow through
with it, and it shouldn't effect your schooling either. You sound
fairly determined to succeed and the marathon training program will put
you off on the right foot. Also I'm sure the coaches/trainers for the
program will understand your situation and help you all the way through
with a training schedule. I'm also sure that in the program you'll
meet others who will meet with you at times good for you and them also.
The good thing is you're starting early and know what you want, now
just go out and get it. Holly, if you need any help in your training
let me know and I'll try and help you out also, as I'm sure many others
in this form will too.
2.Try to find people where you will be in school to run
with you. Even if you need to find several people who will run with you
in a relay mode (3 runners who each run 7 miles for instance). Also
someone could ride a bike while you run.
Now, are you running the marathon alone? If so, I think it is a good idea
to do some long runs by yourself. I have almost always managed to find
someone in the marathon who is running at my pace and strike up a
conversation.
