For about the past 20 years, my relationship with running has been on/off. Because it was easy to just run – change clothes, add sneakers, warmup & hit the streets – when the kids were growing up it was an easy choice. An easy way to maintain my fitness, my waist and my sanity.
Through that time, running wasn’t always a solitary experience. There were a couple times when I ran with friends. One friend got me back into running and we ran together a couple miles a couple days a week for years. It worked… until injuries and life interceded.
Along the way I ran with another friend for a couple months. It worked OK. We were just in different places. Injuries change everything.
Every so often, Porter & I try to run together. That’s always interesting because even at his most unfit he’s faster and can run farther than me. He’s got more than a couple inches on me… those long legs don’t help. But we try to run together now and then. It usually ends up that we start together and then 1/2 way through he goes his way… speeds up and runs far enough that we finish around the same time.
Training for the Mighty Niagara Half Marathon has me grasping at… well, whatever might get me over that finish line having run the half. Some runners who have been there, done that and aren’t necessarily serial marathoners have suggested finding a training group. Since it’s come from different sources independently and I’m determined to make this goal, it’s time to listen.
My first step was to join a local running club. This club has a strong couch to 5K program, but nothing formal for longer distances. Because we just run right now, I’m having a hard time showing up for a training session because I don’t know what I need… besides getting over the finish line September 20.
We have a local Fleet Feet that has a variety of training offerings. I stopped in last Saturday after checking out the web site to ask some questions. After sharing emails with one of the trainers, I’m signing up for the July group. Their target is the Toronto half/full October 19th. We’ll modify the training a bit for our September 20th target.
Until then, the plan is to continue running 3/4 times per week and adding a half mile to the long run each week. For now, Yoga will fill in 2-3x/week. Either a class or DVD depending on the week. Oh yea… my nightly foot exercises will continue most nights.
The trainer recommended a strong 6-7 mile base by July. Since we’re running a 10K in June, we should be all set.
I’ll let you know how Training with a Group goes! Can’t wait to make more running friends.