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Achieve a new goal--run a marathon this year!
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AP Photo/Don Ryan
Why can't 2010 be the year you RUN A MARATHON?!
This is the time of year when the local LA running, walking, and marathon training groups start up for the 2010 season. If this is something that you've thought about doing, but didn't think you could...guess what...I bet you can! My marathon journey started in the spring of 2005. I was 'stuck in a rut,' had gained 4 pants sizes, and was feeling like I wasn't going in the direction that I wanted to be going. I wanted to meet new people and get exposed to new things. On my way to work one day that spring I saw this fit person jogging down Beverly Boulevard and I said "that's IT, I want to be a runner!" Well...I couldn't run. I wasn't good at any sports. But I decided to slowly start walking around my block, and that turned into a few minutes of jogging, and then (eventually) turned into being able to jog a mile (in 10 minutes), and then eventually, after about 2 months of 'training,' I could run 2 miles! But that was it. I couldn't run any longer than that without being winded, no matter what I did. So I did a search online for Los Angeles running clubs that I could join to improve my running and get that wonderful body of the mystery runner that inspired me. The club that I chose was the L.A. Leggers, and I have to say that my choice to join that club and stick with the training was one of the best choices I've made in my entire life. Not only did I have a group of people just like me (there were about half new runners and half returning marathoners) that I could go through the trials, tribulations, and glory that comes with training for a marathon, but almost every week after our runs we had lectures by all types of professionals--professional runners, massage therapist, physical therapists, nutritionists, shoe makers...and I learned so much about (safe!) running that I never would have learned by myself. And by going each week to the training runs, and not wanting to be the one person that would drop out of the run and walk, it forced me to keep running further than I ever would have alone, and before I knew it...I RAN THE LA MARATHON! 26.2 miles! Me! A person that had only ever played on the rec soccer league in 7th grade! And what am amazing feeling it was to cross that finish line after the month of hard work I put in. Oh yeah, I also lost tons of weight and gained so much muscle that I looked gooooooooooood. I met so many new friends through the club, and gained so much confidence in doing something only 1% people do!
So...while I'm really not trying to shamelessly plug the Leggers, I can speak of my firsthand knowledge of 3 years of running with that club. The yearly informational meeting is tomorrow, Saturday June 18 at 8am at the Santa Monica Senior Center. All information about the Leggers can be found here.
But the official LA Marathon training group is the LA Roadrunners, and they successfully train hundreds of people to finish the marathon every year, as well as getting special perks for being associated with the LA Marathon.
Another great way to train for a half or full marathon is by joining Team-in-Training and raising money for a charity!
For a more complete list of all the running clubs in LA, click here. These clubs are open to adults of all ages and abilities.
If this is something you've wanted to do but never thought that you could--guess what...you CAN. If you would like any further info on the LA Leggers, just email me!
Marathon running got Ms. Tough Girl in shape!
Also, if you are a runner and would like to try to get the date of this years' LA Marathon back to March, check out this message from the LA Marathon President:
"As many of you may have heard a motion to move the date of the LA Marathon from 2010 and beyond back to a Sunday in March will be voted on by the Los Angeles City Council this Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 10:00am. This is the day we've been waiting for, the culmination of months of hard work by a variety of constituencies-runners, non-profits, volunteers, students, select clergy, and race management, among many others.
There's nothing that will make our case more strongly than the presence of as many of you as possible, with those of you who are so inclined speaking in favor of the motion. If there's any way you can join us, please do, and come dressed in your medals, your Marathon hats, and Marathon t-shirts-anything that identifies you as someone who supports our cause.
Again, it's this Tuesday, July 21st at Los Angeles City Hall:
Los Angeles City Hall
John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90012
Map/Driving Directions
Thank you for your support. See you Tuesday and on the road!
Russ Pillar, President
The Los Angeles Marathon"
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