June 10, 2010Read: John 14 "You know the way to the place where I am going." --John 14:4

Hope nobody's tired of this week's marathon theme, because I'm definitely not running out of topics (Ouch!). But I did see something at the race last week that made me tilt my head and squint my eyes just a bit; something that seemed out of place--a relay team.

I never thought of a marathon as a team sport, but as it turns out, you can run relay-style. Every few minutes or so, I'd see someone run by carrying a baton they'd received from their forerunner, and I realized they're not in the race alone; for them to be running, there needed to be a hand off.

As believers, it's neat to think that as we run, we're collectively carrying a light that Jesus himself lit miles and miles ago. My forerunner was a sweet man named Henry Powell. Because of him, I'm in the race. And although I haven't always kept pace, because of my 'preacher man', I know where I'll be when I run out of road.

--J.P.

SO YOU WANNA RUN A MARATHON? (continued)

So if you have managed to stick to the site all week, you will have noticed a developing theme. First, we discussed how beginners should approach their training. Then, we spoke to intermediates. Today, we conclude with a training plan directed at our more experienced readers -- advanced runners who are looking to make a serious impression on the course.

ADVANCED: Advanced runners are veterans -- those who have been at it for at least three or four years that routinely log 35 to 40 miles a week, with a splash of interval training mixed in for good measure. Advanced runners have likely run the full gamut of races from the 5K up to the marathon. But even elite runners want to score that most prized runner's achievement -- the PR, the absolute fastest 26.2 miles you're capable of. They may also have ideas of crossing the tape first in a given division.

>> The Plan. "You'll have to be willing to hit 50 miles a week," anaerobic management coach John Sinclair (www.anaerobic.net) says. "For an advanced marathon effort, inadequate miles just won't cut it." At this level, your goal is to learn how to maintain a strong, solid pace for several hours. So, along with the standard long runs, you're going to spend two days a week developing stamina at half marathon, 10K, and 5K race paces. On Thursdays, you'll be served a marathon goal pace/tempo/cruise combo platter -- an extended effort that develops focus, strength, and the capacity to hold a strong pace as fatigue sets in. "Long runs and mileage get you to the finish line," says Sinclair. "Intensity in your training will get you to the finish line faster."

Source: Runner's World