Nova Special - Training for the Boston Marathon

I run too wrote:

Without Boston Marathon I highly doubt that marathoning would be as big as a racket as it has become. Many runners want a BQ. The organizers, sponsors, hotels, etc. of marathons want your MONEY! It's that simple.

Doesn't make it RIGHT!! I'd rather see uncompetitive types buy the Garmins and do their marathon whenever and whenever. Leave the races to the racers.

cmass coach wrote:

Don't apologize, just shut up. I don't care if you don't agree with me. But why do people come on here and ridicule these people? They took part in a TV show as ginnie pigs, it could have been a disaster for any one of them. Instead they have become runners, become healthier and encouraged their friends and family to do the same.

It is not about my perspective, heck, i don't consider myself a jogger, but i don't dump on joggers. I'm 50 and can run about 16 min. for 5k but i don't race because i think 16 min. is slow. But i still run and i respect those that do race, regardless of their times.`I even respect those joggers that just run to keep the pounds off.

If i saw you out running i'd probably even respect you.

Another shameless self plug from Mr. personality. By the way, I'm 46 and could make $1,000,000 a year if I wanted to, but I don't because that's not really alot of money. Also I could screw any super model I wanted, but they're not really THAT hot, so I don't. But I respect everyone.

absolutely shameless.

Coach, you are missing the main point that most people on here are making. No running purist (or knowledgeable coach) would recommend attempting a marathon first time out. If your training group was training for Falmouth, you would not hear a peep from any of us.

If anything it is your training group that is the snobs. If this wasn't Boston, how many would have signed up?

Coach, if some Joe Average off the street (not part of this study) came to you and said they wanted to run a marathon, what would you tell them?

Used to be you would run marathons toward the end of your racing life.

Does this study make common sense - purely, from a running standpoint?

Thoughts please.

Not my training group. I coach HS, but if somone appraoched me with no background and said they wanted to train for a marathon i would suggest progressing more slowly.

The point of this documentary was to show that the average coach potato was capable of becoming more healthy and achieving more than they ever believed they could accomplish. At least that is my take on it.

The fact that 11 of 13 are still training and racing at other distances proves that is true, the fact that they have encouraged friends and family members to get out the door and join them is good thing. It appears to ahve had a positive impact on their lives.

Yeah, well that is 11 of 13 selected applicants. Don't think the producers would want to bring people unlikely to succeed into the project, they probably had a selection process that eliminated those most likely to fail.

cmass coach wrote: why do people come on here and ridicule these people? They took part in a TV show as ginnie pigs

Ah, there's why: by your own description they're a bunch of fat boozehounds. Ugh, they sound beastly.

NYCGirlrunner wrote: any way it might be on TV again? or be able to watch it online?

Both.

Channel 13's got it three days in a row. I'd invite you to come watch it here, but I'll be either asleep or out to see the Trials and NYCM when it's on. But keep me in mind, NYCGirlrunner: I've got a nice big plasma TV and make some fine popcorn.

This "Marathon Challenge" may be news to some, but

there are marathon clinics all over the country

that have been doing this (training newbies with limited talent in 9 months or less).

One that comes to mind is the Honolulu Marathon Clinic which began in 1974.

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/marathonclinic/enter.html

Dr. Jack Scaff would sometimes get some of his runners into Boston with a medical exemption through the AMA and as a Fellow of The American College of Sportsmedicine (FACSM)

http://starbulletin.com/98/04/22/news/story4.html

http://hawaiisportshalloffame.com/xscaff_j.htm

The broadcast was so-so. It wouldn't inspire people that consider themselves marathoners, but would motivate other sedentary people or the penguins out there.

I am sure WGBH wants to do at least one more show, so look for a follow-up on these "marathoners".

Hi Move 2 KC

Right you are. "doesn't make it right, etc.", but the times they are a chang'n and have changed. rest assured the money folk don't give a rats ass about your disposition. for all they care...you are the one that should slap on the garmin and run away. sad, but true.

"Leave the races to the racers" ... well said ... I concur.

The races are still left to the racers. If you are racing what do you care about someone 2+ hours behind you?

Yes, I have been well aware of all that you have expressed.

cmass coach wrote:

The races are still left to the racers. If you are racing what do you care about someone 2+ hours behind you?

If my entry fee is 25% higher than it would be without those who are "2+ hours behind" me, then of course I would care. I would like to see some races go to a sliding scale for entry fees, based on recent performance. Do you not care about paying much more than you feel is necessary for a good or service?

I don't race, remember. And when i did race, the entry fee was usually comp'ed. But, what are you gonna do?

So, you're suggesting that we eat cake, Marie?

I want to sex Uta so bad!