Ann Ringlein is a competitive runner, manager of Lincoln Running Company and track coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She also leads, guides, teaches, and mentors the YMCA Marathon Training Class. She has kindly permitted me to pass this on to you. Enjoy!
From first hand experience I can tell you that training for a marathon/half-marathon takes tremendous dedication. The time and energy does not come easy in today’s busy life. Trying to fit in the miles often cuts into your time for sleep, at a point when your body actually requires more. To get this training you often have to hurry, and even skip meals, during a time when your body’s nutritional requirements are at an all time high. To top it off, your family, friends and business associates will offer you about as much sympathy for your plight as if you had a hangover! And to think we haven’t even discussed the physical pain and exhaustion of the actual event!
Now, I just hope that I can explain it in words. You have heard that nothing good comes easy. Nowhere is this more true than at mile 13 in the half-marathon and at mile 26 in the marathon! To understand the difficult of running 13 and 26 miles is one thing, but what is the good that comes from it? Once again, from experience I can tell you the accomplishment of running a half-marathon and a marathon will have life long effects. Putting a problem into perspective, studying possible solutions, overcoming obstacles and meeting your objectives are all part of this training. Your success will carry over into your business and your family life. The half-marathon/marathon is a crash course in time management. So often we are reactive and not proactive in life. Well, training for these distances will help us attack life with a plan! Many of life’s problems on the surface seem insurmountable, much like running continuously for 13.1 or 26.2 miles! To train for these distances, you need a plan. In this class we will research the subject, look to experts, and devise a plan.
The distance runner’s lifestyle is a healthy one. When training for these distances, you naturally begin living better. Knowing that you have a long run on Saturday will keep you out of trouble on Friday night! Know that you have a late afternoon run will assure you avoid a high-fat lunch. And unlike diets and promises, these lifestyle changes are easier because they’re part of a commitment of a bigger picture. You are taking the first steps into what will be the adventure of a lifetime! And, I hope, this will be a lifestyle for you forever!
The wonderful thing about about all of this is that you have this class. You are all going through this together. Some of you are first-time half-marathoners; some of you are first-time marathoners; some of you have run a half-marathon before, and some here have run many marathons. You all have something to add to this class and to share with each other. You will also learn something from each other and from yourselves. The best part of all this is, you have each other to count on to be there for the Tuesday and Thursday night runs; you have each other to help out on the long runs Saturdays--basically you are not alone and that is priceless! Enjoy each other, this process and the success it brings you in all aspects of your life.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
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