I once ran a half-marathon. I still talk about it like it happened yesterday, as opposed to many moons ago. Whenever anyone asks if I would (or have) run a marathon, I just let them know that I “run half-marathons because that distance is more palatable.” Sounds good, right?
Truth is, I wouldn’t even know where to start in terms of how to train for a marathon. Occasionally I’ll look at training programs, but then wonder why I’d pay someone to make me run. Plus, I can set up my own training program if I really want to run a race, right? Apparently not, explains Kerry Little, the training coordinator at Luke’s Locker.
[aside id=”1″]“Whatever your goal is with running, it is easier to do it with people. It is a built-in support system. Everyone has questions and fears, so when you get together in a group, and have fun, everything — the training, the race — it all becomes more doable,” Little says. When I first spoke to Little, my idea was to get the ins and outs of all the various training programs. After speaking with her, however, I realized what you really need to know is why you should use a training program at all. The benefits are several.
Accountability. Whatever your goals may be — running your first 5K, running your first half-marathon or marathon, setting a personal record — it is all easier to do when you have a group of people holding you accountable. It can also help you set, and attain, daily and long-term goals. Another thing that pushes you to complete your training runs: the financial investment. With costs ranging from $85 to $230 for full- and half-marathon programs across the city, and around $60 for a 5K program, shelling out your dough might make you more prone to finish.
Support. Questions and fears often keep people from trying, or starting, new things. But, with a group, you realize that you all have questions and concerns. You can ask each other, or better yet, you have a resource: the stores and coaches you are paying can answer all your questions and work with you to overcome bumps in the road. These resources can also help with injuries and equipment. “I always tell people: we can help you get to the starting line, but you get yourself to the finish line,” says Little.
Fun. When running is enjoyable, you’ll get up when you are supposed to and take care of business. The training groups for half- and full marathons can have up to 400 members enrolled in the Luke’s Locker training program, though the groups are broken into pace groups and average about one coach for every 10 participants. Regardless of the number of people in your pace group, with that many runners around you, it is sure to be a lot more fun than dragging yourself out of bed and running all by your lonesome. Not to mention, the group effort and group effect — if someone else is doing it, surely you can! Another plus: creating a habit of fitness. Once you know you can do it, and you feel comfortable, the seed is planted, and you’ll have the confidence to try newer and longer races.
Planning. Having a training program generally takes the guesswork out of what you need to be doing. With the program at Luke’s Locker, the runners all meet as a group once a week — Saturday mornings — but they also give you the workouts you need to be doing all the other days. People often meet during the week to work out together. “I always tell people, the opportunities are there for weekday group workouts, if you want them,” Little says. Other groups have more scheduled weekday-running opportunities, if you’d like them. Dallas Runners Club meets up to three times per week.
Safety. Little says that people often walk into a Luke’s Locker store in the fall and want to train for the Dallas Marathon. “We always tell them, we can help you, but it won’t be pretty.” That is the beauty behind having the guesswork taken out of training. The training programs start now so that you can train safely and build endurance and strength. By starting slow, your body can handle the mileage build-up along the way. It can be overwhelming (the programs are often 25-29 weeks long) if you start too late, but once you realize it’s set up so that you won’t get hurt and can get to both the starting line and the finish line, it’s much more doable.
