Marathon beginners

You can do it!

This video requires the free QuickTime plug-in.

Download:

Boston is my seventh marathon and at the finish, I look pretty fresh.

But this memory is only the sum of many parts, most of them training here in Kansas.

My first big training run was the Topeka to Auburn half-marathon in January. The temperature was 10 degrees and the course is a challenge. A picture shows me at the top of a hill on Urish Road, a great physical perspective for the future challenges of Boston.

But this story could be your story, too.

Interested?

If you'd like to try your hand...and legs...in a marathon, here are some helpful links:

Mileage - www.ingnycmarathon.org

Local marathons and other races - www.psychowyco.com or www.mararunning.org

Running groups - sunflowerstriders.org

For me, my first marathon was about putting in the mileage, about 550 miles just running, some days for five miles, some days for 20. It seems like a lot of running and that can be daunting for a lot of runners. My suggestion is to make it fun. Training for Boston, I did have fun and learned more about where I live.

One day, I was "running an errand" downtown. On the way back, I ran into Liz Zamora and Photojournalist Justin Schmidt.

Or you can mix it up by trying a new route. I've gotten lost a lot at the Governor's Mansion trails.

Sometimes, however, you just need friends. I started running long runs of 17 to 20 miles at Clinton Lake. Included in the group was a girl named Coleen who will run her first marathon on Saturday. She only started running in September.


Post a comment

(Requires free registration.)

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

Advertisement

Keep an eye on Topeka's weather with the 49 ABC News Sky Cam.

On the air

See what's on ABC on our online TV schedule

  • Watch and Win with KTKA and HyVee. Today in our 6 and 10, we give you a chance to win $49 HyVee gift cards. More info and contest rules.
  • Here's what we're working on for 49 News this weekend -- High-definition television is the wave of the future. 49 News Reporter Kendall Jones will explain that the big money buys a great picture, but no hope for repair if it breaks. Get a preview here.
  • On Monday's 49 News Good Morning Kansas -- There's a medical breakthough with a drug used to treat glaucoma, psychotic disorders and even brain hemmorhages. Learn what vaptans are and another painful problem doctors believe they will cure.

Online chats

Digital Television Info

By Feb. 17, 2009, all television transmissions will be digital. We're counting down to that day. Tap into resources that will aid you in making the switch from analog to digital. You might find you don't have to do anything at all. Go.

Your Heroes

Salute Your Hero
Have you got a hero? 49 News wants to know about them. Share a story of your hero's military service online and on the air. Submit a Your Hero story.

See Your Heroes photo gallery here.

Watch and Win


KTKA and HyVee are giving away $49 gift cards to the grocery store. Watch and Win at 6 and 10 p.m. in May. When you see your birthday, you can win a gift card a chance to win $1,049 cash. Contest rules and more..

Win an HDTV!


You can win a flat panel HDTV from 49 News and Hy-Vee. Learn how.

Premier Club


Go.


The Drive Show

Voices

Latest blog entries

Lost 4.11 Cabin Fever

From Television is the new movies

Locke discovers the location of Jacob's cabin, and life aboard the freighter becomes increasingly perilous.

Interested in writing a blog? Send us a few sample entries! Let us know what you're interested in writing about, the experience you have with your topic, and anything else you think we'll find useful to know.

Latest blog comments:

Want to comment on the news?

Now you can - register for a free account and post comments to stories, blogs, podcasts and more, only on 49abcnews.com. Go »

Poll

What do you think about the city of Topeka building a roundabout at 21st and Urish?

See the results without voting »


Guides

Arts

Movies

More from Arts & Entertainment...

AP Video