Sarah Reinertsen – Ironman – Don’t say you can’t …

Sarah Reinertsen – the 1st female above-knee amputee to ever complete an Ironman Hawaii (Ironman Triathlon 2005)(www.iamsarah.org)

How important is it to learn about runners and running through reading to complement?

the amount of time spent on training? I know training should come first, but without knowledge of how the body works, recovery time, and such, it could be wasted effort. Am I right? I have been running for about 5 years now and I have had a good time at it, but I would like to get better and eventually run a marathon. Thanks.

Good cross-training activities?

I’m training for a Marathon and I live in a place that gets snow.
Lots of it, actually.

In the summer I rollerblade for cross-training, but I have no idea what to do in the winter. I hate walking, plus I want an activity that burs about the same amount of calories.

Any ideas? Thanks. (:
*burns

Oops. xD

Race Day – Forestman Iron Distance Triathlon – Part 4

The Forestman is an iron distance triathlon taking place in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK. This programme is in five parts & profiles the 2009 event. Part one follows the swim, part two & three the bike & in this part, racers head out for a full marathon.

What makes a first-timer run a marathon?

Motivated to run in a marathon?

Some run for medals, some to lose weight. The reasons people run can affect whether they finish the race.

By Jeannine Stein | Tribune Newspapers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thousands of people will run a 26.2-mile marathon this year — a good chunk of them first-timers.

Their reasons are as varied as their backgrounds. Some have had the race on their bucket list; others will run in remembrance of a loved one, as a weight-loss regimen or to fulfill a bet.

Does the inspiration matter? Yes.

Types of motivation

Good training is essential, helping runners get through fatigue, pain and bad weather. But when marathoners hit the wall and the finish line is still several miles away, they'll have to tap into something within themselves to keep going.

This is where motivation comes into play. Some motivation comes from within. Known as intrinsic, or internal, motivation, it's fueled by joy in the activity or in the sense of accomplishment that results. Extrinsic, or external, motivation comes from outside factors, such as wanting a medal or accolades from friends.

For a marathon, put your money on the intrinsic kind, say sport psychologists.

"If (running a marathon) is not intrinsically valuable — something that's a sense of pride and self-satisfaction — it's going to be very, very difficult to do what you have to do to get to the end," says Kristen Dieffenbach, assistant professor of athletic coaching education at West Virginia University and a sport psychology consultant.

That doesn't mean marathoners should become giddy at the thought of pounding the pavement for hours on end — motivation is often colored in shades of gray. Take the bucket list, for example, an often-cited reason that has become even more popular as the number of marathon participants has increased.

"If the bucket list is to impress other people and get their validation, then it's extrinsic," Dieffenbach says. "But if it's about you and accomplishing something in your life, then it's intrinsic. Very few things are cut and dried, but at the end of the day, the majority of the day has to be intrinsic for something to be sustainable."

Some research supports this. A study presented at a 2006 meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine found that motivation may be an essential factor in whether a runner finishes a marathon. Researchers asked 106 first-time marathoners of both genders why they were running. Motivation was measured and assessed by type — such as the desire to improve self-esteem, develop better coping skills, lose weight or achieve personal goals.

Only 31 people finished the training and the race. The 75 who did not finish were those most likely to have been motivated by the wish to lose weight or gain recognition from others.

Changing motivations

Even if a runner initially decides to do a marathon for the medal bling, that may change before he or she crosses the finish line, says Kate Hays, a Toronto-based psychologist specializing in sport psychology.

"People may start to run for reason ‘A' and eventually discover reason ‘B,'" she says. "Reason ‘B' is the one that keeps them going. The most typical example is that someone starts to run in order to lose weight, but then they discover they love running in and of itself and appreciate the mental and physical health benefits they get from it, and that's the motivation that helps them continue."

Sometimes people run for a loved one who is sick or who has passed away or because they're raising money for a charity. That can ratchet up the pressure to go the distance.

"They need to go into the race thinking, ‘I'm not finishing the race for mom; I'm doing the race for mom,'" Dieffenbach says. "It's not a failure not to finish; it's a failure not to try."

jstein2@tribune.com

 

Frank Ulrich
35, nursing student and first-time marathoner
Before the marathon Motivation:

"I was with a friend in Little Tokyo last summer, and she was talking about how we should do the LA Marathon. Then I paid the non-refundable fee, and she said, ‘Oh, I don't think I can do it.' She got so busy, she never got around to training. I was left with this non-refundable fee, and I thought, "I've still got to do it.' … I thought, ‘It's now or never.' I still have a competitive edge, and I thought, ‘If I do this, I'll still have it over her.'"

Training program:
"I used a Web site called MapMyRun.com," which offers training programs as well as route mapping.

After the marathon
How he did:
According to his brother's phone, GPS and running tracker, he ran it in 7 hours and 28 minutes. He had hoped to run it in 4:45.

What got him through the worst moments:
After mile 20, about every half-mile Ulrich and his brother, who ran it too, would start praying aloud, "Dear Jesus, get us through." They would also periodically turn to each other and say, "We're really going to do this."

Will he do another marathon?
Although his blisters say no, he's been told that in a month he'll be thinking about doing another one.

 

Grisel Rodriguez
25, customer service representative for a jewelry manufacturer, first-time marathoner
Before the marathon Motivation:
"I've always wanted to do the marathon, but I've had two jobs and never got weekends off to train. I finally have more time now.
"Aside from that, I just like challenges. And not many people from my community do this, and that gave me even more motivation to do it. I also just started a relationship, and (my boyfriend) is very supportive. He said go for it."

Training program:
"I went online and looked at what people recommended doing, and then I put something together. Also, I still keep in touch with my math teacher from high school, who's also the football coach. He runs marathons, and he's been telling me what to do."

After the marathon
How she did:
Rodriguez completed the marathon in 5:56. She'd planned on finishing in 5:30.

What got her through the worst moments:
Pain was a problem at mile 19. "Never in my life have I felt so much pain," she said, adding that her calves, thighs and feet were all affected. But texts from family and friends, encouraging her to keep going, propelled her to the finish line. "Also it helped to tell myself over and over, ‘I'm almost there, and the pain is only temporary.'"

Will she do another marathon?
She might, but with a group of people instead of going solo. "I saw that many people who were doing it in a group were able to support one another and encourage each other. Plus, it looked like more fun."

Race Day – Forestman Iron Distance Triathlon – Part 3

The Forestman is an iron distance triathlon taking place in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK. The event isn’t an ‘Ironman’ race but is considered by many to be a tougher challenge than the UK leg of the branded series, largely because of its off road run. This programme is in five parts & profiles the 2009 event which saw a record time n the men’s competition. Part one followed the start & swim through to transition, part 2 followed the first lap of the bike course, while in this part we see the ride leg concluded through to T2.

Race Day – Forestman Iron Distance Triathlon – Part 2

The Forestman is an iron distance triathlon taking place in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK. This programme is in five parts & profiles the 2009 event. Part one followed the start & swim through to transition & now we pickup the first lap of the bike leg.

Father and Son Complete Marathon (Read Description First)

The Title of this song is: “My Redeemer Lives”. There are no words to describe what you’re about to see. It’s all about HIM! A Son asked his father, “Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?” The father who, despite having a heart condition, says “Yes”. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying “Yes” to his son’s request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, “Dad, let’s join the Ironman together.” To which, his father said “Yes”. For those who don’t know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race together!

How to Train for a Triathlon : How to Workout for the Triathlon Run

Working out for the triathlon run involves constant conditioning and discipline; learn how to train for the triathlon run in this free sport competition video. Expert: Dave Campbell Bio: Dave Campbell has been competing in swim, bike, and run competitions for more than 30 years. Filmmaker: Sal Collura

How to Train for a Triathlon : Warming Up for the Triathlon Swim

Try these warm ups for the triathlon swim event; learn how to train for the triathlon swim in this free sport competition video. Expert: Dave Campbell Bio: Dave Campbell has been competing in swim, bike, and run competitions for more than 30 years. Filmmaker: Sal Collura

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