August 2009
Training Programme for Comrades 2010
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WESTERN PROVINCE PROGRAMME
Where are we now? Let’s have a look at “Where we
are now?” Seems a bit ridiculous to say we are 302 days to
go. If you are a novice you had better get used to looking at
a plan and from time to time checking where you are along the path to a
Comrades
medal. In January 2010 you will be asked here on the forum to state
publicly that you are committed to running the 2010 Comrades marathon
and finish with a medal. You can start thinking about it now.
Before the time you will be told what is really involved and
we hope you will be eager to sign on the dotted line.
Our job on the forum is to help
in all ways to prepare you for your first Comrades. In August
2009 with 302 days to go, you don’t have to worry about a heavy
schedule. Not at all. What is important right now
is to avoid doing too much. So many Comrades hopefuls start
training way too early and are totally burned out, unmotivated and
disillusioned by the beginning of 2010. What you can do in
August is to keep up a regular exercise programme involving 3 days
running and maybe two other days doing an alternative like gym,
cycling, hiking, squash, or whatever you enjoy that involves regular
undemanding exercise. The preparation in winter is to equip you for the
long kilometres and hours of slogging on the road in the sun and wind.
It is not easy when you start training seriously for
Comrades. Don’t get overtired now. Get keen and fit
that is all.
A novice is always faced with
difficult running decisions and is easily influenced by club mates who
have already done Comrades. Between now and the end of the
year there are at least three standard marathons on the local circuit
which will be talked about, planned and enjoyed by most. On your
Comrades training programme you are going to qualify after sound,
gradual, progressive development of the necessary talents to run a
satisfying qualifier
in February next year.
My advice to you in August is
to take it easy but exercise regulary and come the Spring we can pick
it up a little with some objectives on target race times over the
shorter distance. Take part in the local shorter races
because I want you to become comfortable and familiar with road races.
Your final objective is a road race that you have to finish
within a given time. What a dream to run Comrades
comfortably and as you finish you tell yourself you want to come back
again next year.
The
August programme is:
Total kilometres for August 2009 = 97kms Thought for the month. "I’ve started my Comrades training the right way". Don Oliver Cape Town 28 July 2009 Key words: Comrades, Internal links: qualifier External links: Official Comrades Marathon website |
Copyright Don
Oliver 2009