Marathon By 40

Here’s a compilation of links I use regularly or have mentioned in posts on the site:

The Couch to 5k Running Plan at Cool Running is the interval training schedule I used to work my way up to enough endurance to run my first 5k.

Robert Ullrey’s Podcasts for Running are a series of music mixes with audio coaching to match the workouts in the Couch to 5k plan. These keep me from having to look at a watch and keep track of where I am Robert chimes in at each interval to let me know if it’s time to slow down to a brisk walk or speed back up to a run.

DJ Steve Boyett has prepared several programs both for general workouts and for interval training with his Podrunner and Podrunner Intervals series. For intervals he’s mixed “First Day to 5k” (follows same schedule as Couch to 5k), “Gateway to 8k” and “Freeway to 10k.” He provides a little chatter at the start of each track, but the cues for switching pace while running sound like the Tokyo Subway chimes. The cues are subtle without reminders of the duration for each, so make sure you know what your intervals are before you start if you’re interested in tracking only actual workout time (no warm-up or cool-down) on Nike+. Aaron provided a link to this article about how BMP translates to helping you achieve new pace.

Runner+ is an interesting site that provides direct access to your Nike+ data. One of my few complaints about Nike’s system is the inability natively to export or edit your own data. The Nike+ site lets you view your data in assorted views, but no way to download it for your own personal use. My data wants to be free! Runner+ provides access into your Nike+ data and allows you do download as a CSV file.

Thruston Racing organizes races all year long in Northeast Dallas. I’m thinking most events I enter will be ones they’re running.

Do you have other links that would be useful for people training for a marathon or interested in starting to run? Provide your suggestions below so that we can all benefit.