Al Here. So I went and registered for the Long Island Marathon (doing the full). This race has some big pluses and some BIG minuses for me.
The pluses: it's a very local race. I'll see all my racing pals from LIRRC and NYRRC, I'll run through home turf, and it is easy for friends and family to come out and cheer. It is also at a good time, early May-- it will be a good "get in shape for tri season" run.
Negatives: the biggest one is that the course is a real drag. About half of it goes up and then down the Wantagh Parkway. This is a long, straight (BORING), wide open (NO SHADE), pretty flat (BORING) stretch of highway. It is all blacktop too (hotter than a fat man's balls in August). It is also a race I've done a bunch of times (FULL=3, HALF=7 times). Part of me would like to do a travel race. (Some of my best running experiences have been trips to do the Chicago Marathon, the LA Marathon, the Cape Cod Marathon and even the rather shitty Buffalo Marathon.) But with work, two little kiddies etc etc etc this will be easier.
My training will start in earnest next week. Typically, I do about a 16 week marathon training cycle. {On a related note, here's a great training schedule from the NYRRC New York Marathon page. I use the Competitive Marathoner schedule which builds from 30 miles per week up to about 50 miles per week at peak. Anyone looking into getting into a marathon will find the beginner schedule very "novice friendly." Give it a go!} Right now, I'm loggin about 25 miles running per week (this is pretty much my base). I'm also getting in a riding day (road or MTB). I want to "stay in touch" with the bike during this marathon training cycle. I also plan to get some more time in the weight room in and to get some swimming in too. The bike, weights, and swim will need to be secondary. I won't use them as real training activities. Mostly, I'll want to maintain technique and strength there so I can transition quickly from run training to the tri.
Speaking of tri. I've been trying to get Freddy-boy to commit to doing a sprint tri this year. {I call this "trying" activity a Fred-athlon. Those of you who know Freddy know how tough getting him to commit to anything--besides sloth and depravity--is.} I'm enticing him with some local duathlons that will then lead him into the very friendly and fun Mighty North Fork Tri. This is a sprint with a calm open water 500 yard swim, 8 mile bike, and a 3.1 run. Freddy is a bit concerned because he screwed up the whole analogy thing. He heard the old cliche "swim like a fish, bike like the wind, run like a cat." But he messed the order up. Currently, he's swimming like a cat (thrashing, mewling, drowning) and running like a fish. No worries. We'll straighten this shit out.
4 comments:
yeah, um, well, um...yeah, Moveitfred is thinking about it...
High testosterone quotient on the marathon training, Al. Way to go. Moveitfred would think the Wantaugh won't be too bad in May. Some fresh greenery along the roadside, not too much filth buildup. Hell, if you're concerned, bring a magazine.
I'm told that the Wantagh was a scenic route some time in the past. Now, the greenery is a good ways back from the road (I'm guessing too many drunks bashed their fucking brains out on trees then sued the State). Even is May, the blacktop feels like a fry pan if it is sunny.
Thanks for the link. Clearly, I'll be doing some "heavy" reading.
Freddy, You can do it, maybe.
With a full wetsuit donned, anyone can swim 500 yards. I have watched you walk 3 miles before and you almost made it without falling. With a little training from Al on your footwork, the odds are in your favor. There have been dumber things attempted by people, like the bored-cast SoloGeek.
Fred, Mrs. Bloenhim is signing up for her first tri this year. Maybe she could give you some tips. Great Kid #1 can help you in the water too.
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