On Sunday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m., more than 45,000 runners will begin their quest to run 26.2 miles and cross the finish line of the Chicago Marathon. Two of those runners will be Emporia residents Jerid Thomas and Bev Hinrichs.
To run a marathon takes months of planing and preparation. Thomas and Hinrichs started training together in June and have been following an 18-week training schedule that has them running three to four times a week. Below they detail their training schedule and discuss how their preparation has gone.
Bev Answers
Q You have run in other marathons. Did you have any reservations of doing another one?
A After running the Las Vegas Marathon in December of 2005, I had no interest in running another full marathon. I knew the toll it takes on the mind, body and personal relationships. So when Jerid turned to me and said he’d buy my ticket to Chicago if I trained him and ran it with him, I thought to myself, “Oh, no way! Not again!” But I also remembered how disappointed he was when he has to stop training because of an unrelated injury a few years prior. So I agreed on the condition that my family was okay with it and that I have success with the Rolfing Jerid mentioned. They did, I did, and so were literally off and running.
Q What has been the hardest part of training?
A The hardest part was when Jerid had to be out of town on our long run days. We were scheduled to run 15 miles a few weekends ago and I just could not get through it. I ended up walking home after 9 miles, full of disappointment and self doubt. “What if I feel this way on race day?” kept running through my head. It’s so hard NOT to judge your ability on how you feel on any given day, but we should not. And I’m learning that joy of running and completing races is what makes it all worth it, not how one single race turns out. So if we don’t do as well as we planned in Chicago next month we’ll just find another beautiful city to visit and run again.
Q How did you change your training from your first marathon?
A I designed our strength and resistant training workouts around the muscle groups needed specifically for long distance running. This is a change from my previous marathon training, and I have felt and seen a significant difference in my endurance and speed.
Q Any training successes so far?
A A success I would like to share is that Jerid and I were scheduled to run our final 20 mile run last weekend (Sept. 21). For some extra motivation and fun, we signed up for the Johnson’s Half Marathon in Wichita, KS. We got there early and ran 7 miles before the race started. We came into the start line, put on our bib numbers and started a few minutes after the race began. Jerid and I were like Marathon Rock Stars — we passed nearly half of the people during that race. Needless to say, we were sailing on the wings of that high for several days. Because of that practice run, we feel confident that we will complete the Chicago Marathon and have a good time along the way.
Q What are you looking forward to?
A Our friends and family can log onto the Chicago Web site to receive alerts via e-mail or text when Jerid and I pass specific points in the race up to the finish line. Knowing that my friends and family will be cheering me on, no matter where they are, in the moments of my run is what I’m looking forward to most. And seeing my husband with those Fig Newtons at mile 19 won’t hurt either!
Jerid Answers
Q Why did you decide to run a marathon and how did you pick Chicago?
A I initially hired Bev as my personal trainer in February of 2006 to help me lose weight. After losing the weight I set my focus on a new goal. On one of the many early morning training sessions with Bev, I looked over at her as we were doing a thousand crunches and asked her to help me get across the finish line at the Chicago Marathon. Knowing that she had successfully finished a marathon in Las Vegas and had expressed no desire to do another one because of the strain it can put on your body, I thought she would steer me in another direction, but to my surprise, without hesitation she accepted the challenge. I picked Chicago because it is known for being a good marathon for beginners, as it is one of the flattest races out there to choose from and, hey, if Oprah can do it, so can I.
Q What has been the hardest part of training?
A Staying dedicated to the program has been the hardest part of my journey to train for this marathon. Mentally preparing for the long runs is an emotional roller coaster. I tended to obsess about them all week long but once completed the satisfaction was tremendous.
Q How has your body changed in the months of preparation?
A The benefits of training for a marathon have been numerous. Physically I am in better shape than I have ever been in my life, and now, after completing our last long run of 20 miles, I am confident that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I would like to go back to high school and have my gym teachers ask me to run a mile now.
Q How has a training partner been a benefit?
A A training partner is invaluable. This is the second time I have attempted this goal. Bev has encouraged me, kept me accountable and on track. On the week that we ran 19 miles, I ran out of steam on mile 17. We had stopped to get a drink and still had three miles to get back home. At that moment panic had set in and calling a cab sounded pretty good. Bev and I don’t necessarily talk all that much on our runs but for those final three miles Bev talked the entire way home, coaching me to my goal. This kind of support is priceless.
Q Any setbacks?
A Training for a marathon can take its toll on the body, but fortunately the only major health issues I had during training was my Iliotibial Band down my leg gave me some problems. I consulted a Rolfing therapist and have been doing fine ever since. Whether it’s Massage or Rolfing I highly recommend treating yourself during your training it’s a great reward.
Q What are you looking forward to?
A Seeing my wife at the finish line and sharing this accomplishment with her is one of the things I look forward to most. She has been my biggest fan through this process, kicking me out of bed before the sun comes up and always cheering me on to go further. I look forward to checking this off my “bucket list” and maybe picking another fun city to run my next marathon. I’m hooked.
Shape Up, Emporia!, is a weekly fitness and health column aimed at readers of all ages to get off the couch and get into shape. Each week will feature a fitness, health or nutritionprofessional from around the area who will share some friendly tips on how to improve your overall health. Our goal is to make getting in shape fun and easy to fit into your existing lifestyle and daily routine. If you are a reader and would like us to tackle a certain topic related to health and fitness, then let us know and we’ll do our best to cover it. If you are a fitness or health professional and would like to contribute to this column, then let us know that too; we’d love to work you in. Well then, I guess it’s time to get moving, Emporia.
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cheryl (anonymous) says...
Here's the Chicago Marathon link to follow along with Bev and Jerid.
http://www.doitsports.com/results/MSG...
You can receive e-mail or text messages on their progress during the race.
The race starts 8 a.m. this Sunday, Oct. 12.
October 10, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
Reading articles like this inspire me. What an accomplishment. The training alone is such a feat of athleticism and dedication. Think I'll get out today and exercise a bit! Thanks for the kick in the arse to get off the computer and put on my running shoes!! Best of luck on Sunday.
October 11, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )