With that in mind, here's a few of the frequently asked questions:
Q: Why are doing this (this being the attempt to run one marathon in each month of the 2009 calendar year)?
A: Somehow back in 2007 I ran eight (8) marathons during the calendar year. When the year was complete, I looked backed and determined that in three of the four months when I did not run a marathon there had been a marathon within relatively easy driving distance of my location. So, the thought occurred to me that, with a little bit of planning and foresight, I could run 12 marathons in a year. Back in December of 2008, I looked at my tentative travel calendar for the coming year then checked marathonguide.com for events, checked my calendar again and the idea was planted in my mind.
Q: Running a marathon every month can't be good for you, can it?
A: My interest in running dates back to 1987. There was a pretty significant time (basically from 2002 to 2004) when I engaged in very little exercise. In December 2004 I stepped on the scale and saw a number, actually a series of numbers, that motivated me to start running again. I offer that background to say, I don't know if it's good or not. I do know that I weigh 35 pounds less than I did the day I stepped on the scale, I feel better, have more energy, and I can run a long time without stopping. Those seem to be benefits that are good for you.
Q: That's a nice answer but, seriously, this can't be good for you, can it?
A: I appreciate your persistence. Without submitting to a full psychological evaluation, I'll say that I do think it's good for me. Yes, moderation can be a challenge. But the chance to set a goal and achieve it, run in some great places, meet knew people, clear my mind while exercising and enjoy the accomplishment of finishing a run, those are good for me. Plus, I keep a chiropractor in business.
Q: Why start back running marathons in 2005 when you had not run one since 1988?
A: After finishing the Marine Corps Marathon back in 1988 I set a goal to run another marathon. I tried to run the 1990 Houston Tenneco Marathon, but my work schedule prevented my participation. It took me 15 years to recover from that disappointment. Seriously, it had always been in my mind to do another. When I stepped on that scale in December 2005, I had the reason to begin running again. So, if you're running, why not run a marathon?
Q: What's your training program?
A: This is one of the more difficult challenges this year. With life that goes on around this goal (e.g., having a job, raising a family, staining the back deck, mowing the lawn), my training is much less regular than it has been. My general goal is to run 40-5o miles in a week and to run at least 20 miles two to three weeks prior to a marathon. But, when a marathon is only two weeks after the last marathon, the training program has to be greatly adjusted.
Q: Do you have a training partner?
A: Yes, my ipod. And there's a group I run with in Dallas once or twice each year. My ipod training friends include U2, Third Day, David Platt, John Ortberg, Gene Wilkes, Switchfoot, and many others. But, it's usually just me and my ipod out there chugging along.
Q: What's the the most difficult part of running a marathon?
A: For me, getting out of bed the morning of the race. I've run enough marathons to fully understand the challenge ahead. There is a commitment that has to be made prior to lining up at the start line. It's a mental commitment, made with the full knowledge of the effort that will be expended and the pain to be faced. Each morning of a race there is always a small voice of self doubt that says, "you can't do it." Some mornings, it's a very large, booming voice. Were I to dwell on that voice, I would never even leave the bed. There's a life lesson in there. How many people succumb to the little voice of self doubt when all it takes is a little will power to move in the right direction? I answer that question with a "not me" every time I run.
Q: What do you eat the day before a marathon?
A: If all works as planned (and it often does not) I eat a big piece of grilled salmon with a plate of pasta covered in a little bit of olive oil. My preference is to eat this really big meal 20 hours before the marathon start time, and then eat something lighter for dinner that evening.
Q: What do you eat the morning of a marathon?
A: Again, if it all works as planned, I will have a cinnamon raisin bagel, two bananas, an orange, a cookies and cream Power Bar and some Gatorade. I don't always eat all of this food, and some of it depends on the race start time, but I will typically have this food available.
Q: What kind of shoes do you wear to run?
A: I train and race in ASICS GT-2140 shoes. I always have two pair and I alternate the pair worn each day. The running experts say your shoes need to recover between runs. While this may just be a scam to sell more shoes, I have bought in to the idea.
Q: What are you going to do after you finish this challenge?
A: My wife (Cathy) looked at me a month ago and said (she didn't ask), "you're not doing this next year." OK, she did say "are you?" at the end, but the point was made. So, I'm not running a marathon a month in 2010. I've decided to run two each month (just kidding--"jk" in text language). I think I will try a 50K (31 miler), which is considered an ultra-marathon. It would seem to cool to say, "I've run an ultra-marathon."
Q: Why don't you just stop and go home, like Forrest Gump did?
A: I'm afraid of stepping on that scale again and seeing a number worse than what appeared back in 2004.
I happened upon your blog and just wanted to let you know that you have inspired to me to begin my training again. I ran a marathon last year and had the goal to do one a year...this year is almost done...yikes! Anyhow, thanks for blogging and inspiring others to get out there and run. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteGreg, have you ever considered doing a triathlon? Even if it is a sprint or mini distance?
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