2012 Marathon & Half Marathon Training

Chicago Marathon

If you have questions about the Lake Run Club's 2012 Marathon Training Group, please contact Tim Rood .

Nutrition/Hydration for Endurance Athletes

• We will have a kick-off meeting at on Thurssday, June 21st, where we will outline the training program, answer questions and provide training schedules at 6:00 in the South Classroom at the IWU Shirk Center.

• Organized long runs will begin the weekend of June 23rd-24th 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.
  
• We will have 4 informational meetings on the Wednesdays following the kick-off meeting. Topics to be covered include Stretching, Hydration/Nutrition, Strength Training and Tips & Strategies from a panel of experts

• The location for the meetings is the South Classroom at the IWU Shirk Center...time 6:00-7:00

Thinking about running a marathon or half marathon this fall? Don’t want to do all those long runs by yourself? How about joining the Lake Run Club Marathon & Half Marathon training group? The marathon program is based on a 15-week build-up to the 2012 Chicago Marathon which is on October 7, 2012. Good target Half Marathons include the Mahomet Half Marathon on August 18th or the Peoria Half Marathon on August 26th. This program is not solely for people running those events.  Many other marathons and half 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 (5 for half marathoners) 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 26.2/13.1 mile distance, because it offers:

• Proven training schedules 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 Hotels and Travel 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.

Program Registration

The registration fee is:

• $45 for Lake Run Club members
  
• $55 for non-LRC members
  
• subtract $10 if you do not want the training program shirt

The fee includes:

• 15 weeks of organized group long runs
  
• Informative speakers (in the first 5 weeks)
  
• 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 2012 Marathon Training Group, please contact Tim Rood .

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 6:30 a.m. starting Saturday, June 25th. 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.  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!

For more information, contact: