Seacoast Half Marathon time!

Sunday, November 11, 2012 · Mike Davis

This week my group training will come to end as my team of half marathon runners step to the start line of the Seacoast Half marathon race. I am always ready for a break from the busy schedule of the half marathon training and this year is certainly no exception. I enjoy the training groups and I always make many new friends and even add a new client or two. This group has been fun as well as helpful as we changed the training method. I wrote about it back in July and how I was excited at this change from mileage based training to time based. Along the way I have learned a lot and will have to continue to improve upon the structure of a time based training plan.

The one issue that may challenge this training approach is how will the slower runners do having run 120 to 150 minutes but not getting up to 13.1 miles? We have had a few that are determined yet quite a bit slower than the majority. The idea that they ran multiple times over 120 minutes will hopefully have them prepared to complete however much time it takes to run the half marathon. What makes it a bit difficult with some of these runners is that they miss a few of those 120 minute plus runs and that definitely works against the training concept. I believe that they all are capable, but the results depend more on their belief and desire.

The runners that have shown up each run, gotten the time in and stayed with the training plan will all have a wonderful experience. For some it may not be as easy based on the struggles with their health and training. That’s always the challenge for a race of this distance, there are no shortcuts and injuries pop up that make consistent training difficult. I try to stress the value of stretching, proper nutrition and strength training in hopes that each runner is best prepared to accomplish what a small minority of people have ever done. Some embrace the training and follow the advice, some struggle to find the time or desire. To train for this distance on a regular basis everything matters and success depends on it. I will send out my last emails to the runners over the next few days and my hopes will be that they better understand the benefits of a well-rounded training plan.

So I have learned a lot and I believe that most if not all of this group of runners is better prepared. I am excited to watch all of them run and ready to give each of them a hug as they cross the finish line. The greater success for me will be their future in running and the fact that the Seacoast will have added 30 or so great runners! When I run around Portsmouth, Newcastle, Rye, and North Hampton and beyond I always run into at least one of my runners and the joy that I get is amazing. Having helped so many runners accomplish something as special as this group will tomorrow is truly why I coach. Good luck runners!