Back to FIRST

January 3, 2009

in General Training

I’ve been thinking more about how I’m going to meet my running goals for 2009 - specifically, how I’m going to achieve a half marathon PR - and I’ve decided that I’m going to go back to following the FIRST (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training) plan that’s outlined in the book Run Less, Run Faster.

I’ve used the FIRST plan successfully in the past. In fact, I was using that plan a couple of years ago when I set a PR at the Boulder Backroads half marathon. The plan seems like it’s going to be a good fit for me because:

  • It only requires three runs a week, and as much as I love to run, I feel like higher mileage plans tend to beat me up too much.
  • All of the runs are very specific, which is going to help keep me on target: run 1 is an interval workout; run 2 is a tempo workout, and run 3 is a long run done at a specific target pace.
  • It specifically requires cross-training, and another of my goals for 2009 is to cross-train more consistently.
  • And, like I said, it’s helped me PR in the past.

In addition to the 18-week half marathon training plan that I’ll be starting on Monday, Run Less, Run Faster includes plans for the new runner and for runners working towards a 5K, 10K, and marathon goal race. If you’re looking for a new training plan that will help you meet your running and racing goals for 2009, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

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Casting Call for Canadian Endurance Athletes

December 29, 2008

in News

This is post that is mainly directed at the Canadian readers of this blog. I received the following information recently about an event that will commemorate Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, the 1980 attempt by Terry Fox to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. For those of you not familiar with Terry Fox or his Marathon of Hope, Terry was stricken with bone cancer at the age of 18, which forced him to have his right leg amputated. During his hospitalization, he came up with the idea for the Marathon of Hope.

Although he was unable to complete his journey across Canada because his cancer spread to his lungs and ultimately took his life, his story continues to inspire.

Greetings Canadian athletes,

Are you a passionate athlete who draws inspiration from Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope?

At CBC Television, we are presently creating a program which would illustrate in detail what Terry accomplished in 1980. The event will reacquaint new and existing generations with Terry’s example of athleticism, determination and self-sacrifice.

A team of twelve runners will start the marathon in St. John’s, NFLD on April 12th. Each participant will attempt to run 3,339 miles in 143 days - matching Terry’s daily mileage - arriving in Thunder Bay, ON on Labour Day weekend. Our
camera crews will document the journey from the first day of training through to the end of the run, providing viewers with updates on the participants and their fundraising efforts.

Our first episode, to air in April on CBC, will see the introduction of the participants and the stakes set for the run. Terry’s enduring and building legacy will be highlighted. We are working in conjunction with the Terry Fox Foundation, who in the past have declined proposals where the intent is to symbolically or literally finish the Marathon of Hope. This concept does not infringe on that wish.

If you are interested in participating in, or supporting, this initiative — we want to hear from you. We welcome any questions at any
time along the way.

An ideal candidate would possess the following:

  1. They have been inspired by Terry’s story and have a history of supporting
    Terry’s vision and principles
  2. They have the ability and willingness to fundraise
  3. They believe and offer evidence that they are capable of physically
    attempting the run
  4. They are willing and able to put aside work/other commitments for 4 and a half months to document their personal journey.

Do you have what it takes to go the distance?

If you would like to participate as a runner in this historic event, please reply to marathonofhope2009@gmail.com , sending us your contact information and telling us why you are the ideal candidate for the show.

In addition, we ask that you please create a 3-5 minute video so we can see you in action. Your video should include: Your name, age, hometown and why you want to be a participant in the Marathon of Hope 2009. Please upload your video to YouTube.

Need extra help uploading your video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyIT7rVZ0Q

Deadline for applications: January 8, 2009

Please notify us immediately by sending the URL when you’ve uploaded your video.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Michelle & Lara,
Marathon of Hope 2009

Website:
IP: 159.33.10.92

If you’d like to learn more about Terry Fox, please check out these resources:

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