Marathon Training Plans
- Runner's World Custom Training Plan
If you have a limited amount of time to train for an unfamiliar distance, I recommend these quick custom plans. - Marathon Recovery Plan
- Furman "Less is More" 3 Days of Running a Week
There are two days of cross training as well, but I can vouch for Furman. I ran a 3:21 on only 30 miles or so a week at the peak of my training schedule. But don't think it's easy: no junk miles, and weekly speed work and tempo runs.
Best Racing Calculators
- Age-graded running results
Shows age-graded result based on your percentile rank against your age-group world record - Race Pace Calculator
See what your pace was or figure out what pace you should run to hit a target time. - McMillan Running Calculator
Absolutely amazing estimator of what your time at any distance will be based on previous results at any other distance.
Weight Calculations
- Ideal Weight Calculator that Considers Body Type
Great for getting a better take on ideal weight based on body type ... and with a nifty, fool-proof way to gauge your body type. - Max Jones on Calculating Your Likely Marathon Time
You slow down a minute for each pound over your ideal weight, but Max Jones lists 9 other factors. - I Don't Recommend BMI, But If You Must
Don't look at this without also checking out the healthy weight by body type calculator
Great LA Runs
- Running 3.1 Mile Loops Around the Rose Bowl
A great place to run whatever distance you need - From the Santa Monica Pier to Venice and Will Rodgers Beach
6 to 12 miles, your choice, with great people watching - Loop from the 101 to Griffith Observatory
- Hollywood Sign Loop with Photos
Best route I've seen for the Hollywood Sign. - Rave Run Near LAX: Randy's Donuts
Run 9 miles, eat one Randy's donut at the end, and you still come out ahead in calories. - Half Marathons in Southern California in 2009
The half marathon is the hottest racing distance going. Here's a collection of races coming soon near me. - Mulholland Fire Trail to the Nike Missile Site
A great run with a fantastic view and a lesson about urban wildlife and the cold war thrown in.
Biography
I need to lose 14 Pounds and 10 years to run a 3 hour marathon ... but that won't keep me from trying. I'm also breaking into personal training. My credentials? I've coached at the recreation department and YMCA levels. I finished 321st in the 2008 LA Marathon and have run about a dozen others. Not exactly Olympic material. But since I'm a writer by trade and crack myself up after I hit the wall and think about what I could have done differently, I thought I'd share some marathoning thoughts in the hopes that you'll get a grin when you hit the wall. Or maybe I'll even help you avoid hitting the wall, and you'll REALLY have a grin on your face.
