Rick and Lorna near Diamond Head.
Rick and Lorna near Diamond Head.
In early June of 1994 I began training by running a short 30 minute beach run, one weekend when we docked at Mission Bay for a sail. That really got me started. I had some spiffy new shoes (Asaics), but more about that later. I went away for a few days on a sail to Oceanside and when I returned I was able to develop a steady training schedule of running a minimum of three times a week, after work. The running in most cases was for 30 to 40 minutes. But then later, I increased the time to 45 and then to 60 minutes. After the semester started in the fall, I only ran twice a week, and then for 60 minutes each time. As it got closer and closer to the time of the marathon, I began to increase my running time by 15 minute intervals. Towards the end I was running about 2 or 2.5 hours twice a week--it was way too much! Only later did I realize this was complete overkill. Particularly after the way the run finally turned out. Because I actually finished, I decided to to it again this year. This past December when I ran in Honolulu, I didn't get hurt at all even though there were soooooo many people ----more than 33,000 runners and walkers.
Now about those shoes. It was a complete disaster. Here's a thumbnail sketch. Lorna and I, Lynn and her sister all began together. Within about 10 minutes I got a leg cramp and couldn't run. Lorna stayed with me and for about 1 1/2 hours and helped me walk it out. Finally, I started up again. We stayed together until the half-marathon mark and I couldn't stay up with her any more. She just ran away. A few miles later I got a cramp in my other leg, but I was able to walk it out. I finally saw Lorna at the end. I think she finished 1 1/2 hours before me. I later learned that my fine running shoes were too narrow!. Or.........maybe I have fat feet.
