February 18, 2013 •
Categories: marathon training, Race Execution, Resource •
by Patrick
The challenge of running and racing a marathon is a singular pursuit. Before you even start, you know that you’ll have highs and lows, obstacles to overcome, and inevitable suffering — followed by euphoria — on race day. With all of this ahead of you, it makes sense to pick the right marathon. No 26.2 miles is the same, and not all races are created equal. Some are big, others are small. Some are epic tests, others are (literally) a “walk” in the park. Finding the right race that syncs with your goals, abilities, and geographical location can go a long way towards ensuring you are able to run to your potential.
2 Comments
November 19, 2012 •
Categories: Beginner •
by Patrick
While the marathon is your own personal adventure to navigate, rest assured that thousands more have done the same. You can use their experience as your road map. As a coach who has helped countless athletes reach the finish line, I am going to let you in on one simple secret for your preparation: Take Baby Steps.
0 Comments
September 17, 2012 •
Categories: Nutrition •
by Patrick
While we exercise to get fit, and to burn calories, the right food is critical for an optimal workout. Answer: Your goal is to start the run feeling ready to run, not hungry and not bloated with food. Striking this balance takes a bit of work to learn your own personal needs, but once you have cracked the code your run and overall fitness will improve.
0 Comments
July 9, 2012 •
Categories: Beginner, Running Lifestyle •
by Patrick
Despite the fact that I do so much of my training on my own, I really think running is a social enterprise. Sure, I try to say HI to everyone I run past (unless I have snot all over my face or the sight of me is apparently terrifying you!), but that’s not the same.
2 Comments
June 11, 2012 •
Categories: Long Run, Nutrition •
by Patrick
One of the most challenging aspects of running long, especially in the hotter months of the year, is managing your fluid intake. It doesn’t matter how fit you are, or how smartly you pace yourself — your body simply can’t perform to it’s potential if it’s lacking fluids. Every long run in your training cycling is a chance to practice and refine your hydration plan..don’t just roll the dice on race day!
19 Comments
June 4, 2012 •
Categories: Long Run, Running Lifestyle •
by Patrick
Once you get over the initial fear of running and running long, most beginner runners fall head over heels (yes, pun intended!) for the sport. But like anything else, too much running can be less than ideal. Here’s how you can channel your newfound passion for running into improved fitness and results without risking injury.
1 Comment
May 3, 2012 •
Categories: Resource •
by Patrick
There comes a time in an runner’s life when they have to accept some common truths. Early morning workouts are hard. Running in the rain isn’t that bad. Long runs with a hangover are a really bad idea. My most recent epiphany was, according to those who know me, a long time coming: my shoes stink. Enter The SolePack…
0 Comments
March 28, 2012 •
Categories: Team •
by Patrick
If you are racing one of our 2012 key events and want to give back to the running community (while getting free training and cool stuff), then you might want to become a Race Captain. You’ll support the Team online and on Race Weekend, and have a ton of fun!
1 Comment
December 26, 2011 •
Categories: Ask The Coach •
by Patrick
I just ran my first full marathon at age 42. I’ve been running consistently for about 8+ years. I’ve trained religiously and done many half marathons and many 18-22 mile long runs in the past while training without ever cramping in my calves or quads, or anywhere for that matter.
14 Comments
October 4, 2011 •
Categories: Event, Race Execution •
by Patrick
This weekend marks the 2010 edition of the Chicago Marathon, the unofficial start of the fall marathon classics. Chicago is one of the more popular US events with close to 45,000 athletes participating each year. Whether you are looking to finish or have your hopes pinned on a qualifying time for Boston, getting the inside scoop on the course will ensure you are able to race to your potential. Let’s get started!
2 Comments
September 2, 2011 •
Categories: Challenge •
by Patrick
Folks, it’s time for another challenge…in fact we are long overdue! September is the first ever Marathon Nation “Monthly Marathon Challenge”. By playing along, you’ll complete four individual 6.55 mile runs over the course of four consecutive weekends…the cumulative time for all four runs is your “monthly marathon” score.
3 Comments
May 18, 2011 •
Categories: marathon training •
by Patrick
Sure you love to run, but you also love to race. And when it comes time to judge your season, you won’t look back to the nice run you had on May 18th — you’ll remember the finishing time of your marathon and that will be your ultimate barometer. With this in mind, let’s take a look at why you mentally need to skip Summer time to plan for your best possible Fall marathon.
0 Comments
December 29, 2010 •
Categories: Long Run, marathon training, Running Lifestyle •
by Patrick
With the New Year upon us, your peers and countless websites are undoubtedly urging you to make resolutions to be a newer and better you. While I think this annual exercise can be a useful one, the changes we pick almost never turn out to work the way we planned — sometimes this is good, sometimes it isn’t. In this article my aim is to give you some food for thought that can help you make the most of your critical few resolutions. Here are my top four tips to master the annual resolution process.
0 Comments
December 8, 2010 •
Categories: marathon training, Technique & Form •
by Patrick
When we think of treadmill running, most of us instinctively look down on it as a second-class form of running. But there are times that even the strongest opponent to the treadmill will line up and start pushing the buttons for a workout — could be weather, could be travel, could be anything…and here you are about to start a treadmill workout. Let’s take it one step further and see how you can make your indoor running insanely effective instead of something you just do to kill the time until the temperature comes around.
8 Comments
December 1, 2010 •
Categories: Long Run, marathon training •
by Patrick
If marathon training is hard, then training for a marathon though the winter is downright difficult. Instead of just worrying about mileage, you now have to take the weather, daylight, and countless other factors into account. If you are training for Disney or a similarly timed event, you have little choice but to get tough or face the music on race day. It’s not all icicles and icy pavement, however, so don’t despair! Here are some of our top tips for running through the winter. Get most of them right and you’ll be as prepared as possible by race day.
4 Comments
