I MET JEFF GALLOWAY!!!
OK, because I'm an anonymous blogger on the web you folks don't know what a big Galloway fan I am. But I've been part of his marathon training program for about 4 years. I read all his books, articles, and all of that good stuff. I really like the guy.
Jeff was going to give a running school/clinic after one of the local races down here in no-where GA. Seriously, this town in BF nowhere. Anyway, I get there early hoping to get a chance to meet him but never saw him. When the race was about to kick off I started making my way to the start line. Out of nowhere I hear, "hey nice shirt". (of course I'm wearing my Galloway training singlet). I turn around and it's Jeff! I got a chance to talk to him for about 6 minutes on training, tips and suggestions for 50 or 100 miler races and some small talk. OK, I can talk and listen ALOT in 6 minutes. Wow! I'm so pumped right now.
OK, so I've not been logging my training runs very well. I think I only put one entry in for last week and now I really don't remember what it was I ran. I'm going to try and log more faithfully. Today I ran in a 10 1/2 K (yes, 10.5K) race. I guess the extra 1/2 K was a promotion gimmick. So I guess you could say that I had a PR this weekend...it was the first time I ran THAT distance in a race. I finished about 1:07:55 (ish). That was actually the last time I looked at the clock a moment or so before I crossed the line. I guess that makes about a 10:27 min mile average. It's not very fast but I threw speed work out the window about a year ago. I think once I finish my 50 miler in 5 weeks (yikes), I'll start trying to pick up the pace again. I really like watching my friends get trophies and awards every race but I’m also a bit jealous. Often, I’m tripping the granny with a walker to keep from finishing last. Gees. If she ever catches back up to me, I’m soooooo in trouble. J
Update: OK, stuff I learned from Jeff....in a brief 6 min talk AND his class after the race...very abbreviated....
He really believes and lives by what he teaches with respect to using built in walk breaks. Listening to him talk about it, if I weren't doing it already, I'd start. His thoughts - why run a race and feel miserable when you can run it in the same time and feel better at the end?
Pacing: Don't go out too fast, rather hold back. Try to have an even or negative split. Your finishing time will faster than if you pushed too hard in the beginning. (From his book: For every 10 seconds a mile you shave off at the beginning of a marathon, you give back 1 minute a mile at the end...OK, I gave my Galloway book away and I'm going on memory here...his website will let you know if my numbers are wrong)
To train for a 100 miler he suggested doing one long run taking breaks in the middle (but no more than 2 hours). For example run 10-15 miles, take some time off (say an hour) then run another 10-15 miles. This will simulate running while tired (which happens in loooooong races) without completely wiping yourself out. I've got to say, I've never heard of that but it does make sense.
Mostly what I learned, he's just a regular normal guy. There was nothing exceptional about him when he began running. He started running as a fat kid and it took 5 years of consistent training to begin to see some minimal improvements....but he kept trying. He didn't qualify to compete in state championship until his senior year in HS. He just kept pushing, working, and training until the effort paid off. Overall, it was a very motivating story.
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