Week 2, Day 7, Summer Mileage Program
Welcome to the seventh day and second week of the 2024 Summer Mileage Program, which runs for ten weeks until mid-September.
Our goal is to build you into a strong cross-country runner.
We keep it relaxed this week and add, week by week, more challenges and more inspiration!
Today we are discussing the long run, and how to enjoy it.
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Your run today is 60-65 minutes at moderate pace, in cool part of day, on trails, or safe roads.
While I had run several long runs (15-17 miles) by then, my first real honest long run was in June 1977 at San Jose Almaden Quicksilver Park. I ran 15 miles (upper Balls as they called it), with Dan Durante (my coach), Don Clary (an early proponent of triathlons and bikini shorts), Hollis Logue III (long-time runner, writer at Runner’s World, my former trust lawyer), the late Rich Stiller (great guy, my idol), Bob Lucas (my best friend).
Quicksilver Park had a myriad of trails, and Don, Rich and Hollis took Bob and me through the center of the park. The run was at conversational pace (probably 7-7:30s), as Hollis had us laughing with obscene jokes every few minutes. Dan would laugh with his New England accent and Rich and Don just smiled.
We were entertained immensely and thought these guys were amazing.
A half decade later, I recall running half marathons in about 1:14, as Rich was running 1:11 or so, and he told me that I would do it someday!
Long runs are best with friends. I recall running many a 15-22 miler with Pauly Gyorey and Gerhard Behrens, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, outside of Los Gatos. Long time to chat, and then, grind back up to Dan Durante and his late wife, Cheryl’s home on Summit Road.
Long runs are about building endurance and confidence.
Good luck!
Enjoy your summer running.
What do you want to do this summer? What do you want to achieve?
To learn about the late Steve Prefontaine (1951-1975), please read this fantastic book by Tom Jordan ( I have gone through six copies and read it 12 times): https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Americas-Greatest-Running-Prefontaine/dp/0875964575
To enjoy a wonderful photo gallery of Steve Prefontaine, courtesy of the Eugene-Register Guard, please go here: https://www.registerguard.com/picture-gallery/sports/2022/07/07/oregon-distance-runner-phenomenon-steve-prefontaine-olympican-eugene-hayward-field/7336370001/.
