"Not only did I cross the finish line with a personal best of 3:50, I also did so completely pain-free."
Click here to learn about Terry's amazing progress.
Marathon Training on My Own versus Training with Lisa
When I decided to run my first marathon, I downloaded a training program from the internet. I made it to the finish line of the Chicago Marathon for four consecutive years. My times were getting a little better each year, but I was coming up with an assortment of nagging injuries. I figured that was the price I’d have to pay for running marathons.
Then I began training with Lisa in June ‘06. At that time, I was so frustrated and afraid that I’d never be able to run pain free again, let alone prepare for the Marathon des Sables (MDS) in March ‘07. Lisa listened carefully to my history of injuries and then reviewed my gait analysis. She immediately got me into yoga and spinning classes. Then she included sports massages, stairmaster and elliptical machine workouts, an array of leg stretches, and upper body weight lifting. I was only running 3 days a week, which was very different from my prior running-only regimen.
My Race Day Goals Changed and I Still Set a PR
By the time race day arrived, I was expecting a finish time of about 4:20 (my previous best had been 3:54). Lisa had a very specific plan for running the race - in fact, it was so complicated that I had to write it down on a note card to keep it all straight. I was to run the first 5 miles at an easy pace, and then begin a 9:1 (run/walk) pattern until the 20 mile marker. At that point I would run until the finish with whatever I had left.
With all of the walking that Lisa had prescribed, I figured my splits would put me well over 4 hrs, and quite possibly close to 4:30. It was almost impossible to maintain my discipline, but I stuck with the plan. And then I started noticing how fast my splits were. Each mile, they were coming in consistent and almost as fast as my personal best. When I finally hit the 20 mile marker (while everyone around me was hitting the wall) I was really fresh and ready for a big kick. Not only did I cross the finish line with a personal best of 3:50, I also did so completely pain-free.
Getting Ready with Lisa for MDS 2007
So now we’re into the serious work of getting ready for MDS. I’m running 3 days per week, with the same varied, holistic program I mentioned above to fill out the plan. I’ve never felt so fit in my life and my weight is down to my old teenage days, twenty pounds down from what I ran the marathon at only 2 months ago. I am totally pain-free throughout my complete weekly training routine, including the long Saturday runs (which are getting close to marathon distances now).
My times are getting progressively better as well and I am thrilled to find that I am perfectly rested and alert for my normal activities. In fact, I’m sure that I’m even more mentally alert than I was in the past. Lisa’s approach to fitness has become a big part of my lifestyle, and I don’t want to let go of these benefits whether I’m training for a specific race or not. I would recommend Lisa’s approach no matter what level of fitness you are searching for - it provides a wonderful roadmap for general health and well-being.
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