I've never been able to follow a training plan. I always check them out, but end up using them as guidelines, when it works for me and my schedule.

This is one of the reasons I don't think I could do a full marathon -- I can't commit completely to a training schedule over several months. I came across this post on Runner's World Daily about a guy who's in Marathon (in the Florida Keys), and he had a 16 mile training run to do, so he did it. In Marathon. That meant eight miles one way and eight miles back on hard, unshaded concrete, in the blazing heat. And, he's leaving tomorrow to go home.

That's some serious commitment. I think I would've put it off until I was somewhere more comfortable and less muggy. What about you? If your training plan called for a big run at the end of your vacation, would you do it? Or would you wait a couple of days and do it later? Or not at all? If you choose to follow one, there are tons of choices -- check them out in the gallery!

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At 26.2 miles, a marathon may seem like an impossible goal for a non-runner. But running a marathon is possible for many people, even if you've never even run around the block. Learning to run long distances is just a matter of slow and steady training. It's not easy, but with perseverance, it can be done.

If you're a marathon runner, are thinking of training, or are just interested in reality television, NOVA is premiering a new show called Marathon Challenge in which 13 novice runners take nine months to train for the Boston Marathon. The series follows them through training, the mental and emotional challenges they face, and will also track their changing fitness levels through sophisticated technology. Marathon Challenge will air on October 30th at 8:00 P.M. on most PBS stations.

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My marathon coach who also happens to be a close pal of mine has taught me that training goes beyond lacing your sneakers and hitting the road. This is why he has given me homework assignments like reading this article in this runner's magazine or logging every little detail about my run. I'm waiting for a pop-quiz somewhere between now and the race.

Anyhow, as I was clicking around Runner's World I noticed their daily training tip section. Today's involved avoiding injuries on treadmills -- where they suggest ensuring that your belt has at least eight square feet of surface area. Wouldn't it seem that all treadmills would be created equal then? Personally, training on treadmills are (yawn) boring to me and it's way too controlled. I'm less likely to stop on the machine, whereas if I'm running outdoors I'm getting the full effect of my body's limits and where I might want to stop.

In short I thought this was a good tip to point out and it looks like you can get several others on a daily basis by subscribing to Runner's World tips by RSS. That is, if you aren't a subscriber already.

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