February 14th Preview

This is the Sunday when Eugene marathoners and Cottage Grove halfers part company – but only after going the first 10 miles together. The longer run is 13.1, the shorter is 11.

The routes (from Eugene Running Company with an eight o’clock start): 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 and across. Turn right, past Ferry, to east end of Alton Baker parking lot. Turn AROUND there and back the same way: Valley River and Ferry.

Half-marathoners, cross the bridge and back to the store. GPS distance as yet unchecked but close to 11.0 miles

Marathoners, continue to Autzen footbridge, across, then back to store. GPS distance is 13.09 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at Ferry (3 and 10 miles), and Alton Baker (6.5-mile turnaround). Weather forecast: temperature in 40s with rain likely.

WEEK SEVEN MARATHON LESSON: YOUR HALF

Question: How does a half-marathon race fit into my marathon training program?

Answer: It’s a chance to judge your progress in our program, a chance to see different people (plus more of them) and places than with our group, and a chance to experience the racing atmosphere. The 13.1-mile distance is perfect for all of this, provided you’ve built your training mileage to at least 11. This is more a true race than the marathon, which can be more a survival test. Your result here predicts what you might run in a marathon. No, you can’t double this race time. The more accurate formula multiples your half-marathon time by 2.1. A two-hour half, for instance, equates to a 4:12 marathon.