Fall Marathon?

If a marathon is in your fall plans, I'm always happy to encourage and advise you. But we will offer no formal group training for that distance this year.

Our minimum number for launching such a group has long been 10. There no longer are that many joining the team for a to train for an October marathon.

My suggestion: Run with us through the Coburg Half-Marathon (on July 16th), then continue building your mileage on your own after that. The early buildup in distance exactly matches our traditional marathon plan.

You can find details on Coburg training at...

joesrunteam.blogspot.com.

May 14th Preview

It might be a little too soon to think about what’s next in races, so I’ll do no heavy selling on that this Sunday. We’ll get together for a reunion and celebration, with an easy run from the store at eight o’clock.

The route will take you back to the start/finish of last week’s race: Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street bridge and across. Turn east on bike path, past Autzen footbridge to end of path at Agate Street. Continue on Agate, across Franklin to Hayward Field main gate (now locked). Turn AROUND there and come back the same way: south bank bike path, Ferry and store. Distance is unchecked but about 4.8 miles.

This run will remind you of your final mile(s) a week before. Turning around there symbolizes starting to leave that race behind and think about your next one – whenever and whatever that might be.

Bring a drink for delivery at halfway. Weather forecast: starting temperature in 40s with rain possible.

WEEK’S LESSON: YOUR RECOVERY

Question: What should I do in the days or weeks after this race?

Answer: One of the most important phases of a training program is also one of the most overlooked. This is what to do AFTER the race. It doesn’t end at the finish line but continues with what you do – or don’t do – in the immediate and extended period afterward. Right away, rest until ALL soreness has left the legs, usually most of the next week. Once you’re running again, follow a popular guideline of allowing at least one easy day for every mile of the race (about two weeks after a half, four after a marathon). One day per kilometer (or three to six weeks post-race) might work even better if the race was especially tough. During this period, take no really long runs, none very fast, and avoid further racing. Run easily until the prospect of training for another race excites you.

Eugene Marathon Results

It's a perfect day when every teammate who starts, finishes. Today was even more perfect than usual, when the sun shone on us but temperatures stayed runner-friendly. Our count: seven for seven in the marathon, 19 for 19 in the half-marathon (including many from my UO classes).

Special thanks to Rhonda Zimlich's family and Michele Clemo for arranging our support station at Valley River. To Michele, Rachel Walker and Neal Benson for pacing two of our marathoners. And to Sara Tepfer for helping at the finish (after setting a PR in the half).

TODAY'S EUGENE MARATHON RESULTS

(with official times and paces for 26.2 miles; target was to finish, and anything more was a bonus)

Mike -- 3:28:12 (7:56 pace)
Kyoko -- 4:32:15 (10:23s)
Julie -- 3:48:17 (8:42s)
Leah K. -- 3:45:24 (8:36s)
Anna -- 3:32:47 (8:07s) debut and Boston qualifier
Leah W. -- 4:34:30 (10:28s)
Rhonda -- 5:24:36 (12:23s)

TODAY'S EUGENE HALF-MARATHON RESULTS

(with official times and paces for 13.1 miles; target was to finish, and anything more was a bonus)

Manuel -- 4:01:06 walk (18:24 pace)
Neal -- 2:26:40 (11:11s)
Jean -- 2:25:23 (11:05s)
Tatiana -- 2:36:41 (11:58s)
Stephanie -- 2:18:32 (10:34s)
Gary -- 2:00:39 (9:12s)
Lauren -- 1:51:09 (8:29s)
Alisha -- 1:55:08 (8:47s)
Rachel L. -- 1:54:40 (8:45s) debut
Scott -- 1:44:13 (7:57s) debut
Trina -- 2:30:36 (11:29s)
Lorrie -- 2:27:53 (11:17s)

From 2017 UO classes:

Tori -- 1:54:17 (8:43s)
Daniel -- 1:55:20 (9:02s)
Scott -- see above
Jack -- 1:55:41 (8:50s)
Sarah -- 2:03:19 (9:24s)
Jessica N. -- 2:37:22 (12:00s)
Rana -- 2:00:13 (9:10s)
Chelsea -- 2:54:25 (13:18s)

Eugene Marathon Preview

It’s here at last, the Eugene Marathon and Half. Four months after our group training began for the longer race, two months for the shorter, the big morning that once seemed so far away is so near that it appears in the week’s weather forecast. Sunday morning conditions appear near-perfect: Sunday morning temperature rising from cool (40s at 7:00 start) to warm (50s by noon, with the afternoon high of 62), mostly sunny and likely dry.

Weekend plans and tips:

Pick up packet at soccer field west of Hayward Field on 15^th Avenue, Friday (1:00 to 6:00 P.M.) or Saturday (9:00 to 6:00 P.M.).

On Sunday morning I’ll station myself in front of the Law School, 15^th and Agate, from six o’clock on. Due to security restrictions, I can take none of your excess clothing or other supplies to the finish area.

I’ll stand at Agate and 15^th to watch our first runners pass the nine-mile mark. I need to leave there by about 8:20 to see our first half-marathoners finish.

Michael Lebowitz will shoot photos before and after your race. Save a smile for the finish line. Tears of joy, and relief, are okay too.

Nothing will contribute more to your final result than starting at the right pace for you. What’s “right”? Close to the pace of your longest training run with the team. This means you need to feel like you’re holding back in the early miles. If designated pace leaders match your needs, start with them.

You’ll run the last 200 meters on the famous Hayward Field track. Remember to look up and left to see yourself on the big screen. I’ll be near the finish line. If you don’t want a hug from me, hide in a crowd or keep running out the gate after you finish!

If you enlist pacers who aren’t entered, ask them to stop short of the Hayward gate. Only runners wearing visible numbers are allowed onto the track.

Parking on race day will be difficult in the campus area. You’ll do better taking a shuttle from one of the remote spots: at the Valley River Inn, Autzen Stadium, Eugene Hilton, or Springfield Holiday Inn Express. Shuttles start running at 5:30 A.M.

The best places to watch on the course: (1) near 18^th and Agate for the start and the ninth mile; (2) Hilyard and 33^rd, about three and six miles; (3) for marathon only, Valley River Center, about 18 miles and then 22 by walking across the footbridge. Drive to the west of the course to avoid road closures and delays. Don’t even think about riding on the bike path portions; it’s too crowded.

Your fans can see the finish at Hayward Field, with only the west grandstand open. You can reunite with them at the artificial-turf field, adjacent to the finish area, as you exit the track.

If you have late problems, text or call me at 541-953-7179.

Worry is normal this week. Some of you even use the words “freaking out.” I’m available for psychological counseling all week. The most comforting statistic I can give you is this: 99.5 percent of our past runners who’ve reached the starting line have finished (illness on race day or pre-existing injury, not a race-caused problem, stopped the other 0.5 percent). If you get to the start healthy, you’re almost certain to cross the finish line. I’m excited to greet you there.