Wendy’s 2011 Iron Horse Half Marathon Training Experience

by Wendy Crowe

The reason I joined this group was for the structure and accountability to exercise and get healthy. What I wasn’t expecting was to get hooked on running. I have run over the years for health but fall off and on the wagon, not this time. Gary makes the training fun and adaptable which for me was important as I travel. The other thing is he is such a motivator! Whether you run a 7 minute mile or a 15 minute mile, he is right there cheering you on and helping you to be a better runner. It took almost the complete 16 weeks for me to understand the mechanics, stop heel striking when running sprints, etc. It all came together for me on the half and I met my goals, under 2:30 and the secondary was less than 11 minute miles. My garmin told me it was a 10:52.

There are two other aspects of the training, nutrition and all the other team members. The stories of gu vs. beans, vs. blox, vs. whatever else we could put in us for the long runs was fun sharing. Personally beans worked for me. Without all the nutrition information and articles/blogs that Gary provided on hydration the half would have been harder. With regards to the team members, what motivators. There wasn’t a training day or race day that as we passed each other we were smiling and cheering each other on. I wanted to finish strong not only for myself but for our group.

Thank you Gary and team for all your support. Can’t wait for the January training that starts on January 9th and will share the results of the November 12th race in Louisville.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Midge King November 2, 2011 at 10:27 am

Well said, Wendy! Good luck on your next race, and we’ll see you in January.

Wendy Crowe November 2, 2011 at 10:11 pm

Midge, thank you. Hope to see you in the group starting January 9th!

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