The ARA - Moe’s Better Half Marathon is fast approaching, and runners are starting to gear up for the challenging run starting at the Tanger Outlet Center. The race this year is Sunday, March 2nd, starting at 7:00 a.m.

While distance runners find the 13.1-mile course a nice recovery run from a marathon, 10K runners find it a nice step up for another good run.

The runners who are running the 5K races usually think that the half-marathon distance is just something that is beyond their ability. While training to finish this race will take some serious effort and tough runs between now and then, it is possible to run this race and meet the challenge.

If you can run about four miles now, it is still a very realastic goal for you to run this race and finish. Below I have outlined a program to follow that lists the date, the long run for the week and an intermediate run during the week, as well as the total miles for the week. Of the three options, the most important part is the long run on the weekends, followed by the intermediate runs; and if the total mileage is met, that is good, but probably the least important.

DATE	LONG RUN	INTERMEDIATE RUN	TOTAL MILES
Jan. 20	5 mi.	4 mi.	26 mi.
Jan. 27	7 mi.	5 mi.	26 mi.
Feb. 3	8 mi.	6 - 7 mi.	32 mi.
Feb. 10	10 mi.	6 - 8 mi.	39 mi.
Feb. 17	12 mi.	7 - 8 mi.	42 mi.
Feb. 24	8 mi.	6 - 5 - 4 mi.	23 mi.
Mar. 2	13.1 mi.		13.1 mi.

The time frame is seven weeks of running, including this week on your own, and with the last week as a minimum effort and rest week before the race on Sunday. This program will take a concerted effort to follow; but once you try it, each run will get easier, and your confidence level will build to the point where you know that you can finish the race.

The main criteria for this is to finish the distance; and while some people think that they will have to run the entire distance, that is not the case. A combination of a running and walking pace is a great way to make sure you finish the distance. This is especially true when you hit some of the hills along the race. If necessary, walk the uphills and run the downhills and level areas; and since the finish is a nice downhill stretch, you can save your energy for a great finish to impress your supporters.

Half-marathon finishers will receive a 17-ounce ceramic coffee mug and a nice quality pen for their efforts, as well as the high-tech short-sleeved T-shirt.

If you still feel that you find the half-marathon distance a little hard at this time, you can still enter the “Speak Up For Kids” CASA 5K Fun Run or 1K Kids Fun Run starting about 7:15 a.m. The nice point of the fun runs is that every runner will receive a nice commemorative medal as well as a nice T-shirt. The overall male and female winners will also receive special recognition.

The extra benefit for entering the race is that CASA benefits from the proceeds. Some of the half-marathon money will go to the Kiwanis Club of San Marcos for their sponsorship of the youth in San Marcos; and the remainder will go to CASA and their work with abused and neglected children. It is a very worthy cause, and your entry into one of these races will go to good use.

Check out the Runners Club web site for entry forms and details on the races at www.sanmarcosrunners.org.

A note of congratulations to David Alexander who was elected president of the San Marcos Runners Club at the last meeting. David was president of the club a couple of years ago and has consented to lead the club once again.

Thanks also to Randall Wood, who was the outgoing president, for his leadership the last two years. These two individuals, along with several others, have made the club a very strong and supportive group for runs here in San Marcos. Congratulations, and everyone is looking forward to a great year ahead.