Catherine asked a great question about marathons, and how to become a good runner in the first place, or become A runner of some description, run longer than a couple of minutes would be an achievement for many people I have started with the last couple of years.
As I said yesterday, I have one lady about to do a marathon but I have had MANY who have been through the same challenge and each a different story to tell.
Before we get into all of that, and the problems and challenges that the 26.2 miles presents, its vital you start at the beginning. You either do it the proper way or it’s like reading a book and going straight to the back of the book to find out the ending, because you couldn’t be bothered to read the book!
Some people have started off better than others, and doing it your own way is frought with danger.
I remember one lady really wanted to become a good runner, or even be able to run for ONE MINUTE was an achievement, she wasn’t overweight whatsoever and in some disciplines, had a reasonable level of fitness.
The first thing I told her was to buy running shoes, and change them every 500 miles (I tell everyone this).
I then took her out running and the best she could do was run for around 15 yards, then she had to walk until she got her breath back. She would walk for 40 yards, then run 15 again, then walk for 40, run for 15 etc.
This lasted for around 20 minutes and she was really tired, felt more than a little frustrated but explained this was the best way to go. This session was on a Monday lunch time.
I gave her other exercises to do on Tuesday inside, rest Wednesday, and to try the same run/walk Thursday. Inside exercises again on Saturday after a Friday rest.
When I saw her the next Monday, I could tell things had gone badly wrong.
Number one she hadn’t changed her trainers, she was still wearing the thinly supported “fashion” trainers.
Number two she had tried to run EVERY night!
Two things happened as they usually do following this schedule, she had blisters due to poor trainers, she pulled a calf muscle due to overdoing it, and when I saw her she was almost in tears fearing she would never run again.
I asked her why she didn’t follow my schedule and admitted she followed a book her brother had bought her (to encourage her).
It was called “run a marathon in 26 weeks”, claiming you could run a marathon in 26 weeks. This may be technically possible with perfect conditions and support for 1 in a 1000 people, but I can assure you I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT!!!
I soon had it out with her and told her to throw away the book, as its going to permanently injure her if she keeps to that impossible schedule!
It turned out to be the best thing she ever did, and she went on to reach an incredible standard which I will fill you on tomorrow!
