Training time for Grandma's Marathon runners
Tara Mortenson
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Variety
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He slid on his orange and black mesh Asics, and triple knotted the extra long laces. In slow and steady motions, he stretched out nearly every inch of his tall, slender body.
"I try to do this every morning," Grunst said. "Every week I MapQuest a new path to run. I just find a place that looks interesting, and run around until I get to seven miles."
While most UMD students are busy cramming for their final exams, Grunst, sophomore Grant Kleven and sophomore Anthony Aguirre have all chosen to allocate their time differently.
On Saturday, June 20, they will join roughly 9,000 runners from around the world to test their endurance in Grandma's Marathon. Stretching along the North Shore of Lake Superior, this 26.2-mile trek begins in Two Harbors and finishes in Canal Park.
Reaching the peak of his 20-week training program, Grunst has repeated the same routine day in and day out for the past several weeks as a preparation mechanism for the upcoming race.
Kleven, who is going through the training process, for what he says will be his first and only time, has different techniques to prepare for the big day.
"I'm sort of on my own schedule," Kleven said with a smirk. "I don't eat fast food anymore, but I haven't stopped the partying."
Aguirre, one of Kleven's running partners, is following his 22-week training program very strictly.
"You're getting yourself into more than you think," he said. "It forces you to challenge yourself on completely different levels."
Although Kleven may be preparing differently, he agreed that training is a lot harder than it seems.
"For people who think they can just jump into it, it's not that easy. It's not for the weak-minded. If you back out, that's a lot of time wasted," he said.
As the rest of the campus remained fast asleep, the sun rose above the horizon and Grunst stepped outside. He took a deep breath of the cool spring air, and released it slowly into the quiet atmosphere.
"Running is a great way to start my day," he said, "only the sun and the birds are up with me. After about 10 minutes, I forget it's even cold outside."
Being a member of the soccer team during high school, Grunst has gotten used to running long distances, and even enjoys it.
"Running gives me time to relax and think about things I don't have time to during my day," he said. "It always makes me feel good when I'm done, no matter how far I've gone."
Not quite as enthusiastic about running, Kleven plans to complete the marathon as a self- fulfilling accomplishment, and then hang up his shoes after crossing the finish line.
"You're putting so much strain on your body," he said. "There is no worse feeling than knowing you have to go run again when you can barely walk."
The biggest mistake first-time runners make is going into the race without proper training, said Sarah Culver, the director of administration for Grandma's Marathon.
Kleven is certain that he will not fall within this category.
"If anything, I am overestimating and over-preparing," he said. "Either way, I'm confident that I'll do the best I can, and finish with pride."
Having participated in two marathons while in high school, Grunst has learned firsthand what he needs to do to in order to be well trained.
"I severely underestimated my first two marathons," Grunst said. "I walked part of the first, and slowly jogged the second. This time around, my goal is to run it under four hours."
In addition to lack of proper training techniques, Culver also said water intake is amajor misunderstanding for new marathon runners.
"First timers tend to have trouble balancing how much water they should have," Culver said. "People forget that taking in too much water can be just as dangerous as not having enough."
To avoid dehydration, there are 15 water stations set up every two miles for the runners to replenish, Culver said.
In addition to water stations to urge runners on, Grandma's has lifted their previous ban on headphones and iPods this year for those who need the extra inspiration.
Alternating between slow, soft music and rock songs, Grunst listens to a particular playlist to keep him motivated and focused while running. However, not everyone will be taking advantage of the lifted ban on iPods this year.
"I don't use an iPod," Kleven said. "It's all a mental thing for me. I go off what I feel inside. I just focus on my goals and motivational things. It gives me a chance to take in my surroundings."
Whatever method the runners choose to mentally and physically prepare, they will gather that morning at 7:30 a.m. to attempt the feat they've worked so hard to achieve.
"I just want to prove to myself that I can accomplish it," Grunst said. "That is my true motivation."
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