Twin Cities Sports Pub Interview with Melissa Gacek

http://www.twincitiessports.com/features/a-dream-come-true.html

Get Ready for Your First Marathon with MyMarathonCoach

After several requests for advice on getting a beginner's marathon plan in action for friends, (including my dad who's turning 60 this year and just bought a brand new pair of running shoes--which he refuses to wear yet cause he doesn't want to wear them out LOL); I've decided to start a resource where I can post marathon training guides you can apply based on your current athletic state, what you want to train for and how much time you have to get fit. I believe anyone can run a marathon who wants to, and most of you with the urge fall into one of these categories:

1. "I need to start with walking" This is a walk-to-run plan with a longer base of walking build-up, for those of you who hibernated thru the winter and need to dust off your shoes and dig around to find workout clothes
   
2. "I walk already" This is a walk-to-run plan, gradually adding running to your walks from the get-go; aka, you feel decent walking, but running seems a bit daunting to start
   
3. "I run a little" This is a beginners running plan to get anyone thru their first marathon; you might already run 5-20 miles total a week and need help breaking out to the more daunting distances leading up to the marathon; you participate in some running for exercise, maybe you even have finished a 5K or 10K race
   
4. "I run up to 8-10 miles max now at a time" This is a beginner marathon plan for a shorter distance runner to be successful in completing their first marathon; you average 15-more miles a week and you call yourself a runner
   
5. "I want to run a specific time" This is a pace-specific training program to help you reach your goal time (aka qualify for Boston, etc.); you may have already run a marathon, or based on past times in other distances find you have a gift or need for speed and want to channel that energy
   

Other topics will include:

1. Best shoes for running (based on several years of experience working at Run n Fun)
2. Best fuel for training and the race (pre-race food, post-race food, how to practice drinking and running)
   
3. How to dress for training and race day (my shorts rule and other random factoids; I won't make you wear bun-huggers, I promise)
   
4. Race day top 10 best tips (what every marathon runner should know before packing up for the big day)
   
5. Cross-Training (What's acceptable; most beneficial)

I know this will be old school info for some, but from the questions I get I bet there are a lot of you out there looking for help. Let me know what you need and I'll help you succeed!

Set, Go!
Coach Melissa