The Wall

Everything you need to be a smarter, faster runner.

Weekly Race Results through April 9, 2012

09 April

   Weekly Results from the Marathon Nation Community   Marathon Nation is a community of runners targeting the marathon distance. From total beginners just getting off the couch to bucket-listers checking off a huge “to-do” item all the way up to Boston Qualifiers…all are welcome!  You can explore the community and create a FREE 7-Day […]

Boston and Edinburgh Race Webinars with Coach Patrick

08 April

  Join Coach Patrick McCrann for two brand new race-specific webinars. Information and registration instructions are below; seats are limited and you are racing in about a week (!) so don’t miss out. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Marathon Race Execution Webinar: Boston Marathon Edition Join Coach Patrick from Marathon Nation for this race preparation webinar. Patrick is a […]

Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon Race Report

26 March

Race:  Yuengling Shamrock Marathon (Virginia Beach, Virginia) Date:  March 18, 2012 Goal Time:  3:05 (trying for Boston 2013) Actual Time:  3:00:31, (personal best by 8 minutes) Pre-Race:  I initially signed up for this race after trying to qualify at the Marine Corps Marathon and the Richmond Marathon back in the fall. After 2 failed attempts, […]

Weekly Race Results Through March 5, 2012

07 March

Weekly Results from the Marathon Nation Community   Marathon Nation is a community of runners targeting the marathon distance. From total beginners just getting off the couch to bucket-listers checking off a huge “to-do” item all the way up to Boston Qualifiers…all are welcome!  You can explore the community and create a FREE 7-Day Trial […]

Coach Patrick Breaks 1:20 for a Half Marathon

29 February

It’s one thing to look at the numbers, another thing to look at some results. This result confirms that I am indeed significantly thinner and lighter than in previous years. The impact of improved body composition on my overall time is evident in how I felt in my race yesterday. Climbing hills–even the small ones–was […]

Patience in Marathoning

22 February

Why Patience Plays a Huge Role in Breakthrough Marathon Performances Marathoning is one of the most challenging, rewarding and character-building sports you can participate in. I have never experienced more trials and tests in athletics until I began training for the classic 26.2 mile distance back in 2002. Ironically, the same issue that plagued me […]

Afghanistan “Shadow” Marathon Race Report

11 January

Race: Operation Jack Marathon (www.ojmarathon.com). Shadow Race in Kabul, Afghanistan, December 26th, 2011, 1200 noon. Weather: 48 degrees, calm winds (less than 5 MPH) Altitude: 5,800 (first marathon at altitude) Finish time: 3:46:30; goal time was 3:35-3:45 This was my 8th marathon and my second fastest. Marathon #7 was my PR at 3:28. Therefore, I’m […]

Mark’s Marine Corps Marathon

30 November

photo credit: Noel Feans Mark Tominaga Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC, 10/30/2011 Race Website: http://www.marinemarathon.com/  Overall Time: 4:02:20 PR Goal Time: 3:56:00 Background: My running (jogging) began in Jan 2010 after I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 51. I learned that aerobic activity combined with a low carbohydrate diet helped me reverse my […]

Pre Run Yoga Warm Up

23 November

photo credit: BozDoz Often when we think of yoga, images of stretching, meditating, or even awkward gumby-like poses come to mind. As a runner, we thrive on forward motion and the thought of sitting still to stretch with a bunch of “flexible people” is not so appealing. And besides that, it’s unrealistic for many runners […]

Mastering Post-Marathon Recovery: How to Repair and Rebuild

09 November

photo credit: electric.porcupine [bmazz.tumblr.com] Marathons are becoming more and more popular. In fact, 8.6% more people participated in marathons in 2010 than in 2009! As they become more accessible, it’s important to remember that a marathon isn’t like any other race. It’s much more. Because of its distance, the marathon will inflict more damage to […]