June 20th Preview

We move just this once to a SATURDAY run this week. The reason is Sunday's Prost8K, which has special meaning to three of us on the current team. (If you're running that race, it starts at 8:00 at the Oregon Urology Institute in Springfield and finishes at the Gateway Mall.)

Saturday's distance is 9.1 miles, with a 7:30 start. The route: Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don't cross. Turn left onto bike path, to Autzen footbridge and across. Turn right, to Valley River footbridge. Turn AROUND there and come back the same way: Autzen, Ferry and store. GPS distance is 9.15 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at about three and six miles (Ferry Street). Weather forecast: sunny with starting temperature in 50s, rising quickly toward at afternoon high in mid-80s.

WEEK THREE LESSON: YOUR MONTHS

Question: Your Marathon Training book claims that it’s possible to train for a marathon in just 100 days, which makes it one of the shortest published programs? Can I really train for a marathon in just three months?

Answer: A big disclaimer here: the 100-day count doesn’t start until you’ve reached 10 miles. Up to that point it’s pre-training. Our Joe’s Team program offers a month’s buildup from seven to 10 miles, to see if you’re willing or able to continue. Only then does the three-month schedule truly begin. It’s also possible to train for a marathon in even less that three months, if your longest current run is already above 10 miles. You can safely begin about two miles above your recent peak. This might let you shorten the program to even less than the advertised 100 days.