Advanced Marathoning

Foreword

Growing up, I was always looking for a challenge. I ran 15 miles for my first run when I was 15, and after that I ran to the top of every mountain in the nearby vicinity. We have a course called the 5,000-foot run that climbs from roughly 6,000 feet to more than 11,000 feet in just over 10 miles. It is brutal, but the sense of accomplishment that comes with conquering it is addictive.

Challenge is what I love most about the marathon. It is the ultimate test. For some runners the draw is simply the distance, and for others it is a matter of speed over the distance, but for all of us the marathon is a test of the will and the spirit.

When I crossed the line at the 2008 Flora London Marathon, with the clock stopping at 2:06:17, I had never been so exhausted in my life. I felt like I was having an out of body experience during the final 200 meters, yet the sensation of having finished the race while leaving every bit of my mind, body, and heart out on the course is something that I hope to replicate over and over again in my career as a marathoner.

As I approach each race, it is satisfying to know that I have been well prepared by my coach, Terrence Mahon, in training and have done everything to the best of my ability, whether it be core strengthening, optimal recovery and nutrition, or nailing a well-placed long run in the training régime.

While reading this second edition of Advanced Marathoning, I was constantly nodding my head in agreement with Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas. They echo many of the “secrets” to marathoning that I have picked up from coach T (as we call him) and Olympic medalists Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor. I am confident that everyone from the seasoned marathoner looking to improve upon a long-standing personal best to the debut baby will find great wisdom in this systematic, logical, and yet artistic approach to marathoning. I myself was constantly reminded of all the ins and outs that go with achieving success in this sport.

Those of you who are just going for distance will find easy application points that will make your journey much more enjoyable and fun. “Fun” may not be the adjective most commonly associated with the marathon, but the marathon offers the well-prepared runner more enjoyment than any other race out there. In no other race is it possible to feel so good for so long. The racing section of the book will provide many keys to ensure that your 26.2-mile journey is indeed a fun one. Those of you who are going for speed will not only find out how to cycle and structure your workouts but also how to live as we pros live, taking care of the smallest details, which will give you the extra edge on race day to crack that elusive personal best.

I thank Pete and Scott for writing such a helpful aid to the marathoning world. This resource will undoubtedly be credited by marathoners all over the world as they celebrate having prepared and raced to their fullest potential.

– Ryan Hall