From Non-Runner to Marathon Runner

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She Trained Hard -- at Her Pace

How does someone go from 0 to 26.2? Hussa, who before couldn't run a mile, joined Team In Training, a group training program that raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She joined team members whose fitness level matched her own for regular runs in Central Park, first aiming to do 2-3 miles or 30 minutes straight at their own pace.

Along with other Team In Training members, she completed 40-minute runs every Tuesday night and longer runs on Saturday mornings: about 2 hours, building up to an 18-mile run before the race.

Her training plan also called for another short run during the week, but Hussa admitted she couldn't always find time to stick to her schedule and sometimes even missed the long runs on Saturday because of oversleeping or work. "Honestly, I was behind in the training," she said. "Before the marathon, everyone had already run at least 18 miles; my longest run was only 15."

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Next: She Got Motivated

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pollaws wrote:

Great motivational piece! Thanks

1/25/2010 10:15:41 AM Report Abuse

kimrwillems wrote:

In Fitness Magazine's March 2009 issue I saved an article titled, 'Consider Yourself a Newbie Racer' that outlines an eight week plan to run a half-marathon. I referenced this while training for my half & now want to tackle a full marathon. Therefore, I'm wanting to locate this same article for a full marathon & amnot having a luck. Can you please help?

12/30/2009 12:57:56 PM Report Abuse