Alameda Runners – Get After It!

The Oakland half marathon will take place March 27, 2011 at 9:00 am.  It is time to start training.  For those of you who are already running, keep doing so.  For those of you who have been procrastinating, now is the time to get started.

I will be carrying my 2:15 pace sign again this year.  Last year, we finished at 2:15:35.  The plan I am posting is for new runners who want to finish between 2-3 hours.  I will start out with some basics then get more detailed as we get closer to race day.

In my training plans, I usually increase for 3-4 weeks, take an easy week then repeat the cycle.  The December cycle is our strength cycle.  The first full week of December is easy, just get out and do it.  Get out for a 15-20 minute jog every day.  Take Friday off and run again on Saturday.  If you can’t jog the whole time, slow down to a shuffle or walk.  Try to jog but you want to go slowly.  You don’t want your lungs to burn at all during this phase.  If you feel pain from an injury, stop.  You may feel some pain from being tired but you should not feel foot, leg or knee pain.

Find something comfortable and get out and do it.  Your clothes do not need to be fancy, just comfortable.