July 23rd Preview

Our Coburg round of training is less than a week past, and we’re starting a new phase without pause. This Sunday we start building up mileage for the Florence Half-Marathon on September 24^th – with an option of continuing to October 8^th for the new Oregon Women’s Half.

The first run in our Sunday series is the traditional five miles (roughly). It starts from the Eugene Running Company at 8:00, with the store opening about 15 minutes earlier.

Sunday’s route: Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don’t cross. Turn right onto bike path, to Valley River footbridge and across. Turn left, to Ferry. Cross bridge and back to store. GPS distance is 4.87 miles (round up to 5.0 if you wish).

Bring a drink for delivery at about halfway, north end of Valley River bridge. Weather forecast: sunny with starting temperature in 60s.

WEEK ONE LESSON: YOUR PROGRAM

Question: What is the rationale behind this training program?

Answer: This half-marathon program is, fittingly, almost precisely half the one that our marathon teams follow successfully. You train as the marathoners do early in their program – except that 13.1 miles is your end point, and 11 miles is your longest training run. You also train under conditions that mimic those of the race. Our group runs are nearly flat. If you want hill training, add some to your midweek runs. Our Sunday runs are on hard surfaces, because that’s where the race is run. You can seek out softer ground during the week. You run no faster in Sunday training than you will go in the race. Practice for speed elsewhere.