This is a story and tribute to running coaches
Like many of you, I am a fan of the sport of running. I like to follow the news and read about records. It is fun. We digest the details, weigh the historical significance, and banter with you all.
Here is one of those fantastic records. At the Rotterdam marathon this March, Gene Dykes ran a 2 hour and 57 minute marathon. Gene is 70 years old and is the only 70+ human in the world to have a sub 3 hour marathon. (The late Canadian Ed Whitlock also achieved this). Yep, you got that right, over 70, under 3 hours. Whoosh!
To nail this world record run, Gene had to be perfect, stars aligning, doing everything right. I am interested in how he did it, aren’t you!? I have run many of the same races as Gene, he is from right up the road in Philly, and he is a fellow Cornellian. So, of course, I talked to Gene to get this story.
How did he do it? Of course, Gene has the physical tools and great health, to be sure he has the right genes. He is not a large guy and did not start running at a highly competitive level until recent years, that is a typical background for later in life highest achievers. And, Gene is an excellent student of how to live well; he is mentally positive and respectful of his gift.
But, the game changer for Gene, what put him over the top, is that in recent years he has been coached. He attributes his success to having a coach and specific training. Gene reports that the training he does would not be considered possible or practical without adding the discipline of coaching to his running life. So there you go. To set a world record, have a coach and be accountable to a coached plan.
As for me, I have been slacking, only self-coached (is that “uncoached”?) for most of 50 years. Could I be missing out on the benefits of being coached and have untapped possibilities going forward? My glass is half filled, how about yours!?
World's fastest 70-year-old marathoner Gene Dykes.
Do you want to find out what Coaching can do for you?!
BRRC Half Marathon Training Program, Summer/Fall
Registration is now open! Click here to register.
Goals and Purpose of Program: The Half Marathon Training Program Group is designed for runners that have some running experience and are looking to participate in Fall races ranging from10K to the half marathon distance.
The program will safely guide runners through an organized training schedule with the goal of improving their endurance, strength and speed.
Under the leadership of experienced and RRCA certified coaches, runners will be introduced to topics such as proper running techniques, pacing, developing a race strategy, speed work, hydration, dynamic and static stretching, etc.
Prerequisites: Participants interested in the BRRC ½ marathon Training Program should have, at a minimum, some experience running (or run/walking) races that are 5K and/or 10K in length and used to running 3+ days per week.
Workouts: A 14-week schedule will be provided to all participants.
Dates: August 20, 2018 – November 24, 2018 (14 weeks)
Location: The group will meet twice a week: Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.
- Thursday evening – Speed Training – Location to be determined
- Time: Arrival and warm-up from 6:30 to 7:00 – Workout starts promptly at 7:00pm
- Saturday morning – Location will alternate between the following locations
- Loch Raven Reservoir (LRR) –Morgan Mill Road & Loch Raven Drive
- NCR Trail –Sparks Nature Center (SNC)39°32'22.8"N 76°38'17.7"W
- Time: All workouts start promptly at 7:00am
(Note: Saturday morning will switch to 8AM start when Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday November 4th)
Target Race:
November 24, 2018 – BRRC NCR Marathon and Half Marathon http://www.ncrtrailmarathon.com/
This training will focus on the Half Marathon.
Soon after you sign up for the training you will receive a code for $10 off the race registration!
Lead Coaches:
- Buddy Weber, RRCA certified coach
- Ken Furman, RRCA certified coach
Registration for the Half Marathon Training Group is open now at thedriven!
Registration for the 5k Training group will be announced soon, stay tuned!
Too Hot to Trot was not too hot!
Thanks to all of our many enthusiastic volunteers and festive runners, we had a great race at Patterson Park in the city! On a clear and relatively cool morning in August, we had over 100 of you finish and be sent off sporting BRRC running singlets! Results are at
www.brrc.com and there will be more pictures soon on our group facebook page.
2H2T was also our 7
th of 9 GPS races. We have action in every age category, the competition is heating up! Check your results at
www.brrc.com.
Upcoming Races
It's back! The
2-person, 10-mile relay will be held this Thursday, August 2 at the Hopkins track at 33rd St. Registration begins at 5:45, race start time is 6:30. Find a friend and come out for this old-school track race! Please see the map below for parking; use the Ellerslie lot; parking in front of the Eastern building is prohibited.
Another great BRRC trail race is this
Sunday, August 5th, our Bunker Hill Trail Race in the Hereford area of Gunpowder Park. Hopefully, water will have receded and we will have some pleasant trail romping! Almost all single track, this is a great trail system! Enjoy rolling hills with some fast downhill sections and a short water crossing near the finish. About 5.5 miles for the loop. Choose to run it once or just keep going for twice the fun! Race day signup only, more information is here
http://www.brrc.com/bunker-hill-trail-races-13 .
Happy running!
Henry Peck, President
