Tonight I went to that “Run the NYC Marathon in 2012” talk I wrote about last week, at a local running store called Jackrabbit Sports. (Sidebar: I realize it’s been Marathon Mania around here for the past week even though I didn’t run it, and for those who are bored, I’m sure I will calm down and write about other things you can relate to, such as the stupid things I think about during yoga.) (SO MANY stupid things.) This event was pretty disappointing — mostly a promotion for the running store’s training programs that promise to take beginners in January through 5K, 10K, half and full marathons. Otherwise, there was an explanation of the NYC Marathon lottery, a list of other local marathons in case that lottery didn’t pan out, and an exhortation to buy good shoes and (for the ladies) sports bras.
The training programs seem fairly reasonably priced, and in addition to meeting in person once or twice a week they also include workouts for the rest of the week. Because of the crowds at this event though (all flush with marathon fever), I wasn’t able to ask some of the questions I had about training, such as — how many days a week do you have runners running? Are there pace groups for longer runs? Also, one of the coaches made a comment to the effect of “We expect not everyone will make it to the race at the end,” which may be true but was disheartening. Shouldn’t a good coach working with amateur (that is non-elite) runners strive to get all of them, injury-free, to the starting line? He was just so flippant about it. I’ve had to drop a few races because of injury, but there’s leaving behind a 5K or a 4-miler, and then there’s leaving behind a marathon.
I would want to meet the coach I’d be training with before signing up for a program, anyway. I have both good and bad memories of coaches from back when I played sports, and I’d want to get a sense of their methods first. No sense in being stuck with the reincarnation of my 7th grade basketball coach.
Maybe this event wasn’t for me — I know about things like getting fitted for shoes, and only a few hands went up when the coaches asked who was doing the NYRR 9+1 program (easiest way for New Yorkers to get into the marathon). So I’m not sure what the woman behind me who had run the marathon two days ago was doing there. Still, it could have been more informative and interactive for a better presentation. They delivered on the free shirt, but it wasn’t enough.
What would be more fun: being trained by 4 Tumblrs who just ran the NYC Marathon. I’m thinking tribander for planning/ consistency, losingweightinthecity for speedwork, reachyourpeak for strength/cross-training and runningwithguts for motivation. I will pay you a million Schrutebucks each. Ladies?
