2011-05-20

The Marathon: Part I - Introduction

This coming Sunday, I begin training for the Montreal Marathon. I'm in pretty good shape already; I run about 40 minutes per day, and do strength training three times per week. Pretty good. Not great.

Because this blog is a springboard for many ideas, I thought I might include my philosophy and training secrets with respect to running, too. I've been a distance runner for nearly a quarter-century; I started when I was about seven or eight years old.

I ran my last marathon in 2008. I finished in a modest 73rd place, out of about 3,000 people, at a time of 2:47. A year later, I was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes mellitus. It's been a goal of mine for the past year and a half to run a strong marathon as a diabetic. It can be done, and I will do it.

And frankly, if a chronically ill guy like me can, then so can you. So why not join me?

Here's the deal: I'll be posting my 18-week training regimen right here on Stationary Waves. What I plan on undertaking shall be dubbed the Level 3 (Advanced) regimen. I will also include the Level 2, for recreational marathoners; and the Level 1, for less experienced runners interested in tackling their first marathon.

Along the way, I'll be documenting the impact this kind of training has on my diabetes control. There is precious little information out there for diabetic endurance athletes and, while I cannot claim the ability to contribute to the scientific literature on the topic, I can offer firsthand experience to other type 1 diabetics in similar circumstances.

First stop: Check out the training regimen right here, and choose the Level that's right for you.

Up next: What you'll need to successfully run a marathon.

1 comment:

  1. This is a great idea! It'll keep you going, and it may inspire a few others. :) I'll read, even though I'm not thinking of running a marathon anytime soon! Best of luck!!! :D

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