2008 Marathon Training

Calendar of Events

Chicago Marathon

If you have questions about the Lake Run Club's 2008 Marathon Training Group, please contact Merlin Anderson.

• Organized long runs begin the weekend of June 28th-29th at 6:30 am . Meet at the Allers shelter at the triangle on constitution trail just off Linden street behind the Normal Parks and Recreation building.
  
  
• Our kick-off meeting will be on June 24, 6:30 at the Bromenn Conference Center rooms.

Thinking about running a marathon this fall? Don’t want to do all those long runs by yourself? How about joining the Lake Run Club Marathon training group? The program is based on a 15-week build-up to the 2008 Chicago Marathon which is on October 12, 2008. This program is not solely for those running the Chicago marathon.  Many other marathons are listed out on the web.  (e.g. The Marathon Guide US calendar)  The program is open to beginners as well as experienced marathoners. The only requirements are that you are running 15-25 miles a week and are able to run 8 continuous miles without stopping. You should be able to accomplish this by the first run of the program.

The marathon training program is ideal for runners who have never attempted the 26.2 mile distance, because it offers:

• A proven training schedule from Hal Higdon.com. This takes the high-mileage week pressures off the first-timer and gradually eases them into the marathon training.
  
  
• The support of training with a group. This is especially important for the longer weekend runs.
  
  
• The opportunity to tap the experienced, brilliant minds of seasoned marathoners.

The Chicago Marathon is also an excellent event for the first timer for numerous reasons:

• They have a special section, newsletter and other items for debut marathoners
  
  
• The race is a short drive from Bloomington-Normal
  
  
• The course is flat
  
  
• The field is large so you always have someone to run with (2nd largest marathon in the world)
  
  
• The race is fun! There are more than a million spectators to cheer you on every mile of the way!
• They have various training aids on their website
  
  
• The Health and Fitness Expo includes over 150 exhibitors

Hotel Rooms

Reserve them now! The hotels will fill up quickly.  Visit the Chicago Marathon Web site under Welcome to Chicago: Accommodations for a list of many hotels available. If you’ve ever done the Chicago Marathon, you know how difficult it can be to reserve a hotel room on marathon weekend. The Lake Run Club does not reserve rooms. You'll need to make the reservations yourself.

Registration

The registration fee is:

• $40 for Lake Run Club members
  
  
• $50 for non-LRC members
  
  
• subtract $15 if you do not want the training program shirt

The fee includes:

• 15 weeks of organized group long runs
  
  
• Informative speakers
  
  
• Marathon training schedule
  
  
• For non-members, membership in the Lake Run Club (a $15 value)



• LRC Marathon training shirt (optional)

The fee does not include your registration into the race.  You must register on your own.  If you have questions about the Lake Run Club’s 2008 Marathon Training Group, please contact Merlin Anderson.

What to Expect

At our first meeting, program information, training schedules, and a schedule of future meetings will be distributed.

Group long runs will be held Saturday and Sunday mornings at 6 a.m. starting Saturday, June 28th. Gatorade and water will be supplied along the way. See Opportunities to Run with Others for the starting location and a map.

We will set the drinks out for the run no matter what the weather.  Groups will form up and leave from the shelter.  We will provide you with a list of people running the various pace groups, but it will be up to you to partner up with your fellow runners.  Veteran marathoners, usually lead the way and offer advice and encouragement. Running with others is a great way to keep yourself going through those long miles!

Details

A kickoff session will be held at Bromenn Regional Medical Center in the conference rooms on Monday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. Please mail your completed registration form in prior to the kick-off session. Alternatively you can bring your check and application to the kickoff session.

For more information, contact: