"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement.
It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."


SEPTEMBER 18

Created by OnePlusYou

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Book Review

My books came today. The first is "Training for Mortals" by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield (the link to it on Amazon is over there on the right side). I like it! It has about 10 pages of intro materials, basic running and nutrition and then a John Bingham essay (I'm kinda miffed that he's leaving Runner's World since he was one main reason I started subscribing - ok and I didn't really like that he left his wife and married this Jenny chick - but I do like their running advice).

After you get past the intro materials, there are these logbook pages. Sorry for the bad picture. It was just a quick snap.


So for each day you record your exercise, and those little boxes on the bottom are for your grains, fruits, veggies, proteins. There's an inspirational quote at the bottom. Finally, a log book that tracks the kinds of things I want to track! So, it's definitely a keeper.

The other book I bought was "The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women" (again, a link on the right). It is a fun, cheeky narrative about the author's first marathon experience. So far I have read Chapter 1, The Decision. It is another keeper, although I will probably pass it on to my friend Jen when I'm done and encourage her to pass it on. It reads a lot like "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" - cheeky and irreverent with some great nuggets of information mixed in. I took a cursory look at the training program that is written up in it. I'm really glad that I don't have to settle on a training program until the end of April!

I had a Facebook exchange with Angela about the pace for the Top of Utah. And it's true that the course support is over at six hours, which means a 13:45 pace at the slowest. Now, in the pre-PF (plantar fasciitis) days, I was running a comfortable 12 minute pace. I also know that from a stamina standpoint I am good for 5 hours. But, if it gets to be closer to the race and I know I won't make the 6 hour cutoff, I will just have my family run SAG for me (and anyone else) and finish anyway. :)
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3 comments:

  1. angelaDecember 31, 2009 at 7:05 AM

    hi! yes, that's me being mentioned.
    i look forward to my monthly subscription to runner's world as well. most running books just do not compare. that's a great idea to pass on a book. this also works with shoes, items of clothing, race packet goodies. it may not work for you but someone is bound to find it the right fit. yes, in racing, there is a lot of goodwill:D

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  2. JenDecember 31, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    That IS you Angela! Thanks for the comment.

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  3. JenDecember 31, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    Here is the wording about the course time directly off the website:

    We allow runners 6 hours of support to complete the marathon. After 6 hours the aid stations and police support are pulled from the course but runners are welcome to continue on their own.

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