Owen Anderson

    My Wednesday night marathon clinic is run by Owen Anderson who is quite a knowledgable man when it comes to running. He just got back from a race director's conference in Houston and had some wry observations about the "celebrity" status enjoyed by Dave McGillivray, race director for the Boston Marathon. Owen's sense of humor is definitely one of his strong suits. He promotes an interesting vision for a less is more philosophy in running. Also he was glad to share that there will be some Kenyans running this year at the inaugural Lansing Marathon event and to say that an exciting new running program for kids is beginning within the Lansing schools. Obesity being a problem plaguing Michigan's youth, I'm sure this will be just the thing for some deserving and motivated young people. 
     One thing that Owen talks about, that I've never really heard too much about, is the importance of the nervous system and developing an overall level of fitness to enhance running, not just "heart size and leg speed" development. We did an interesting array of drills tonight that included soccer balls, cones, and a plastic ladder that we basically hopscotched through. Not at all what I was expecting but very fun things to do with my cross country team next fall. As I look back on my running life I realized I've never really been coached for a marathon before. I just went out and did them for fun. Now I think I'd like to qualify for Boston (before they make it even harder) and I think I've found a coach to get me there.

Midfoot strike

So Exciting! But will I like them more than my Asics?

What with McDougall's Born to Run, the advent of Vibram five fingers, and a flurry of running methods, ChiRunning, Evolution Running, Good Form Running, etc all roads lead toward the midfoot strike. Four years ago when I did my first 70.3 I was noticing these shoe brands that I had never seen before. "The triathlete crowd even have their own shoes!?", I thought. Names like Zoot and Newton and colors that were reminiscent of  early 80's neon were fun and interesting. So, four years later, thanks to my parent's X-mas gift of "Universal Gift Certificates" (money), I finally bought a pair of  Newton's. My reluctance to buy them stemmed more from price rather than being sold or not sold on the science behind them. Since that first 70.3 I've also run a half marathon in my Vibram's (Speed) this past Fall. Everything that is promoted in terms of not having sore knees and a sore back checks out. My achilles tendons and the back of my calves DID feel like rolled steel afterwards, but no knee or back pain. When I treadmill tested the Newtons in the store I had already been actively trying to alter my running technique for over a year so they felt quite natural. Walking in them, however, is kind of like walking around in a pair of track spikes. I'm excited to run in them for the Lansing Marathon. I just can't see myself running 26.2 in my Vibrams, but with these I think the trademarked Newton "lugs" will help me keep good form even when I'm getting fatigued and form generally goes out the window. As far as trends go, the midfoot strike will most likely be around to stay. Now I need to go find my bee-pollen and DMSO.

Lansing Marathon

I've got to say "Finally!" I don't have to drive to some other city to do a marathon. Lansing, Michigan is going to host its first marathon in April of 2012. I will be there. I imagine in an inaugural event there will be some glitches but whatever they may be, I'm so glad to have something like this in the Capital City. My daughter is planning on running it as well as other members of the cross country team. I will be following (or attempting to follow) Parker's 12 week competitive plan from the heart monitor book. This means I have to start a workout plan beginning Jan 29th of the new year. I did manage to take third in my age group once in the Saginaw Bay/Delta College marathon back in the early '80s. I ran a 3:25 (a PR for me to this day) and I just barely edged out the first woman in that race as well. I still remember her telling me "Good Job" as we were entering the track for the final .2 This of course made me feel kind of bad since I had been thinking unkind thoughts about her for the majority of the race. I think my chauvinism of those days actually spurred me on to get that time. Since those days however, I've been beat by so many women in so many marathons that I'm not going to say I don't care anymore....I care. I now realize these things happen and being a chauvinist is...just so tiring these days. So I'll be there April 22nd of 2012, ready to race. And I imagine I'll probably get beat by some female runners too. And I'll still be happy.