Sunday afternoon, temps 12 degrees and falling, windchill -7, 1 foot of snow and I was the entertainment for The Bad Santa Hash at Bloomer Park at an outdoor shelter for the Hash House Harriers - drinkers with a running problem! I wrote a special song for the occasion and did Holiday songs by Elvis and James Brown. My butt is still cold. My boom box froze. The runners took forever to get there and most car hashed back to Main St. Billiards. Dianne was sick so I went home.

I wanted to run Sat. but I was exhausted from work and shoveling 3 times on Friday and it was bitter cold. Sunday I'm the entertainment at the Bad Santa Hash. They wanted Elvis but since we have a new President elect I'm now doing James Brown. Anything to mortify my wife and kids!

My most favorite people in running is Delores Hemsley, the volunteer of the year every year for me. She volunteers at 50 + races a year because she goes to all the races her husband runs. She is the only person I know that will hug a runner at the finish line - sweaty and stinky! She always has a smile and is happy to see me with a hug and a kiss.
She is in the hospital with a stroke and I pray she gets better.

Cardiologist says I'm ok and can resume running this weekend. No explanation for chest pressure. Probably running too fast!

Start of my book.

After the heart catherization, no driving for 3 days and no stairs or lifting for 5. I see the cardiologist Monday morning. While my arteries are clearer than most young people, I still wonder what caused pressure in my chest. I'm not going to have a heart attack, so I intend to go back into training as soon as the incision is healed.
The title of my book is, "Marathon Training for the Uncoachable Runner" because most runners are so independent that they won't listen.
RUNNING A MARATHON
Step 1
I know people that make the marathon their first race! Too bad, they missed alot. As a coach I want a runner to train and race shorter distances for 2 years before starting to train for the marathon. Why? The body needs time to adapt to the heavier workload of long distance running. Building slowly but gradually to longer distances prevents injury. Racing is a key part of the sport - 5k's, 10k's 1/2 marathons are part of the training to prepare for a marathon How to race is a large part of the whole picture in preparation.

Having read countless books on running, run since I was a boy, and tried all kinds of training strategies, I decided to write a book on my training ideas that work for me and some of the people I have trained. The biggest issue in marathon training is getting to the start line fresh and uninjured. Most people decide July 4th to run a fall marathon and train furiously to the race. I believe in a long buildup - 3 sessions of 84 days separated by a 2week rest period. Also, on day 59 you are overtrained and need 5 days off! The protests are deafening. But it's right. Most marathoners get sick or injured before the race. Training thru the period when you are overtrained reduces you immunity. It is not my discovery. It is science. Jerry bought me the book "Consistant Winning" and won't take a break on day 59. For years he got sick and checked his log - day 59! He didn't want to talk to me because I couldn't get him to take a break. I used his name in the book to show what not to do, but I have decided to change his name to protect the guilty. I will preview chapters in the book on this blog to get a reaction. Adding rest, stretching and sensible diet to training always raises protest. But it works.

I had a heart catherization today. Also converted a nurse to be a runner. Will drop off a beginning schedule next week. Arteries clear except for 1 at 30%, normal for my age. So, what caused the chest pressure? The test confirmed my running and diet are working!