Ok, I think we have decided upon the Leavenworth 1/2 Marathon on October 13, 2007. It is on a Saturday and is relatively close to most. So far these are the folks that I think have decided to do it, let me know if I am wrong:

Tom
Mom
Adina
Paige
Dave
Brent
Buffy
Marnie
Anne
Kim
Peter?

The race is 32 weeks away. That gives us plenty of time to train for it (Marnie, you were the one that said you didn't have enough time). I am going to give you a link to a training schedule that you can use. Make sure to read the information below the table, it is all excellent information.

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

When looking at the schedule, if you don't train on Sundays (which I don't), I would shift everything one day earlier so that you are just stretching on Sundays and then just strength train, the way it describes, on Monday mornings with your regular run for that day. This will make your long runs on Saturdays.

As you notice, the training schedule is for 12 weeks. Below the table it explains what you can do if you have a lot more time than that. I would suggest stretching it to 24 weeks. And, like it says, just do each week twice. That gives you 8 weeks, or 2 months, from now to get up to 9-12 miles per week, broken up into 3-4 3 mile runs a week. You DON'T start at 9-12 miles per week, you just have to be there within 2 months. Start with walking 1 or 2 miles 3-4 times per week if you have been sedentary, then add jogging to the mix.

Only run a pace that agrees with your heart rate. Don't increase your mileage more than 10% each week. So if you start with 5 miles per week, do 5.5 the next week. Slow increments! Don't injure yourself! Trust me, if you gradually increase and don't kill yourself, your body will accomodate and it will feel better the further you go.

You don't have to run the 5k and 10k races, but it is good to get used to the feelings on race day. That way you will be a little more relaxed on October 13th.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to get a subscription to Runner's World, the articles in it will keep you pumped up, even though some of them run WAY more than I would ever think of running. Also, if you have someone to run with, that is always a good idea because it makes the time pass, even if it is just for the long runs on Saturdays.

Get the right shoes. Make sure you have the right kind of shoes for your body/feet/surface. You can find a local running store (like around here there is Fit Right Northwest, in San Diego it was Road Runner Sports) and let them help you find the right shoe for your foot. I am not talking GI Joes, or stores like that, I am talking about a store FOR running, where they know what they are talking about. Or you can go to this link http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/product/shoe-dog.jsp
Here, you enter all your information and it will spit out a bunch of suggestions for shoes based upon your foot, step, etc. I have used it and got the same results as going to the specialty shops and being evaluated.

Here is the link for the Leavenworth 1/2 marathon: http://www.leavenworthmarathon.com/registration.htm
You can click on the Athleteslounge.com link or do it by PDF. I already registered, so I don't want to be doing it alone. Register now and that will be your drive, because you will be committed.

Find some place or way to keep track of your progress, it helps to keep you motivated. I hope you all get excited about this, I really think it'll be a lot of fun. And, you'll most likely drop a few pounds and have a healthier heart!

Let me know when you have registered. If it's a money thing (about $45) let me know, that shouldn't stop you.

BTW, this was the intro to the running schedule: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/index.htm