Training for Chickamauga Marathon

I need to start by saying I am going to start posting more often like I use to do. I have gotten caught up in a lot of life activities lately and have forgot to write things down.

I am currently involved in our local Jeff Galloway program that trains runners and non-runners on how to run a marathon injury free. We have ratios of run/walk/run and it depends on how fast or not so fast you run. Our group is trying to finish the marathon in under 5 hours and we run a 2:1 ratio. We run several times a week for maintenance runs and a long run on Saturday mornings.

We are right now about 1/2 way through our training with the race on Nov. 13. I have run this race 2 other times so I kind of know what to expect throughout the race. I have been trying to pass along info to the other runners about the course, hills, 2 loop course and other things. I am having so much fun helping others and it is also helping me out.

Along with training for this marathon, I have also enrolled in a biggest loser program with our club. We started 4 weeks ago and I am just trying to take it slow so that I KEEP the weight off. So far I am down 6.5 pounds and I hope to get off about 20 pounds before the race. If so it will be the lowest I have ever been for a marathon. I have been so close to beating a 5 hour race but so far it has not happened. This has been a burden in my life. It is just weighing heavy on my shoulders. That is one reason why I am trying to loose the weight. I love it when people look at me when I tell them I love to run marathons. I mean normally when you look at someone who is 6'3 and weighing 263 pounds, you would not think he would be out running.

Tomorrow morning our group is meeting for a 15 mile run. I cant wait because some of the runners have never run this far before in their life. I love to see it when people go past their last goal. It is fun to be able to run this far and then go home and do your normal activities for the day.

Well for now I am going to get some rest so that i will have plenty of sleep for tomorrow. I promise to post more often so that I don't get behind. Have a great weekend.