Wanna Run a Marathon?

Hey OH Peeps:

It's that time again!  I will once again be coaching for the National AIDS Marathon Training Program to prepare people to run/finish the Los Angeles Marathon in March.

This is a fantastic program that a dozen or more of the OH Cali Board members have participated in.  The program is geared for beginning runners with little or no experience.  Over the course of training, we will teach you everything you need to know to complete a full marathon (26.2 miles).  We have pace groups that range from 7:30 per mile to 17:00 per mile.  I started running with this program in 2001 prior to having WLS and have since completed 17 marathons, several halfs and shorter races.  Hopefully some of the alumni in here will chime in to give you their experiences with the program.

Training begins on October 4th and registration is open now.  We also have a big kick-off party scheduled for 9/27.  The program raises funds for AIDS Project Los Angeles, benefitting people who have HIV/AIDS in the Los Angeles area.  There will be three training sites in the Los Angeles area, Griffith Park on Saturdays and Sundays and Santa Monica on Saturdays.  I will be coaching at the Griffith Park site on Saturdays.  You only need to come to the training site once a week and then complete two 45 minute runs during the week - that's it!  In 5 months, you'll be ready to run a marathon!  Don't freak out about making every weekend run, you can occasionally skip a shorter run.  On the first day of training, you will run/walk/jog 3 miles at your pace and you will then be placed in a pace group with people who run/walk at your pace.  You will make new friends as you endure the miles together over the course of the training.

We use the Jeff Galloway method of marathon training, which means that you will be assigned a run/walk ratio that coordinates with your pace.  We have a lot of fun with interactive games, etc...that keep you going the distance and having fun while you are doing it!  Over the course of the training, you will make new friends who are all working for the same goals.

I hope that some of you will take the challenge and jump in to do what may seem impossible.  Remember, the journey of 26.2 begins with a single step.  To check out the program/register, you can visit aidsmarathon . com.   I will be more than happy to answer any questions and I know that the program alumni will jump in too!

keep running,
Scott

Good Morning Coach....

I wish I could join the fun this year, but with my hours at work, its just to hard. I loved training with you and the APLA.

IF you are thinking about joining the trainging program, I don't think you could do any wrong with this team and this wonderful coach. Scott will hold your hand all the way, he is there for you, even durning the week when you start freaking out about the up coming training day. Then the day will come when you find yourself saying something like "oh today is ONLY 8 miles" and wonder when 8 miles because nothing to you. LOL Trust me, I know thought that often. The bond you build with you pace group will amaze you. When you finish the maraton, and look back to all the pain and sore muscle will be nothing in compare to getting the BLING!!

Like Scott said, it all starts with one step. Take it!

LL

Thanks Lu,

You are a good example of the success of the program, you have gone on to run so many other races and I am so proud of you!  I miss having you at training and I hope that you will be able to do it again sometime!  I think that Lynn & Michelle are going to be involved again this year because Michelle's husband and son are planning to run!  Hopefully you can make it down a couple of times to be a water volunteer!

Love ya!
Scott

If I did not have hip pain I would be running again.  I have trained with this program a couple of times and with Scott as my coach.  You know at mile 23 and you are bonking and you see Scott there it omg.  He encourages you every step of the way.  I strongly encourage those even thinking of it to do it.  I have run 7 marathons some halfs and a couple of 5k's.  I cannot tell you the sheer joy of crossing that finish line.  When I completed Hawaii I was laughing and crying as i finished. I never ever thought that I could. 
I can tell you thru Scotts encouragment and devotion to each of his runners you will succeed.
Liz

Love you Liz!

Scott,
I will see you at the kick off party of the 27th and at training on the 4th.  I signed up at an information meeting with Ginger with my mom and a good friend.  So, we are all looking forward to preparing for this LONG journey. 

Thanks!
Lola

Lola,

Please come up and introduce yourselves at the kick-off.  I am so glad that you are taking this step and I know you will be too!  It will be great to have others there with you, you are going to love it!

Hi Scott,

A Marathon, I thought OMG!!!  I just signed up for two different 5k and I thought I was crazy.  I couldn't imagine doing a Marathon, but who knows I am doing things I didn't think I would ever do again or even just do.  Maybe one day I'll be doing a Marathon.

Sounds like a GREAT program.

Michele

Michele,
Just do it.  You can do it.  If I could you could. 
Liz

Michele,

You definitely can do it!  You just let me know when you are ready, I think your ready now!

Scott