First, a quick mind blowing fact. The current world record time for a marathon (men's division) is 2:03:59 (Berlin Marathon 2008). That is 25 minutes better than my PR for a HALF marathon. That is averaging about 4:44 per mile for 26.2 miles. (Expletive deleted)!
And now, to further blow your mind with cuteness.
Now, the brainwashing can begin...
When you think of running, the list of things you need seems simple. Shoes (recommended), clothes (optional?), ground (otherwise, you'd be flying). However, there are a few additional items you can bring along to enhance your training. I've only used a few (I'm a newb, remember), thus my ability to comment is limited. So sue me.
Previously I've used (and Susan still uses) a product called Nike+iPod (http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/). At first, this fairly inexpensive device seems eloquently simple and useful. In all nike running shoes there is a hidden compartment where you can place a sensor. This sensor recognizes when either a running stride or a walking step is taken. You calibrate it for your stride, and it transmit data to your iPod to track distance, time, etc. Brilliant, right? Maybe for some people it is. I call those people freaks. And I judge them. I'm judging them right now.
The problem with this product for me is a simple one: not all strides are equal. They should be, sure. The perfect runner stays at an even pace with every stride of equal distance with an ever constant pace. My stride starts great, but as my out-of-shape lumbering body tires I pathetically try to get my legs to continue on and my stride changes. Long story short - the distance was never accurate. Susan and I would calibrate each of ours, then run and by the end I would be about a mile ahead of her for the long runs.
After ditching that device, I went even more high-tech: my smart phone. Got to love android apps. Running? There's an app for that! I currently use RunKeeper (www.runkeeper.com) (much to the chagrin many of my facebook friends), and I love it. This application uses your phone's GPS to track your distance, time, pace - and then uploads it to your facebook and twitter status as well as the runkeeper website itself to keep track of your personal records. Pretty darned good.
Ultimately, I think I may break down and by a Garmin running watch (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142). This is because I don't think my phone's battery will last during my long runs. We will just have to see as my distance increases. If anyone knows of any other items they use when running, let me know. I love gadgets.
As far as training, I'm itching to get into my training program. Still have a few more weeks, though, so I've just been running 3-4 miles 4-5 times per week. Likely to increase it to 3-5 miles. My pace has noticeably increased from when I started back running. I used to average 11 minutes per mile on only 2 miles, now I can average under 10 minutes a mile on my 3 mile runs. I may enter a 5k this weekend, still have about an hour to decide for sure... we'll see.
-Doc
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