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Josh Continues His Boston Training

Scott — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:52:38 +0000

Many of you were able to follow along with Josh as he trained for the Portland Marathon last fall. Now he is once again back at it only this time he is getting ready for the Boston Marathon! Here is a link to his post about the final of the Portland Marathon. If you want to follow along with him, check out his latest post that he is putting on our new blog, Runwithpower.com. This is our new Blog dedicated to everything running. On it you can see what is happening with our Hood to Coast Training for Team Runwithpower, Loren's Quest to break 50 seconds in the 400m, and of course Josh's Boston training.

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How Quickly did Josh Recover? Very Quick

Scott — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:42:34 +0000

I thought it would be good to close out the regular Monday posts that Josh Platt has been doing for the last few months by letting you know how life after the Portland Marathon went. At the end of the race he was extremely tired in his muscular system. The last few miles his muscles started to lock up on him a bit and so the next day he had quite a bit of soreness.

Most of the soreness was in his calves but he had some light soreness throughout his lower body. This was coupled with the obvious muscle fatigue he felt. The race was on Sunday so it was Monday that he felt the most side effects of the race. By Tuesday he had done some good muscle activation exercises to help restore proper alignment that had been compromised due to his high level of fatigue during the race and the result was that he woke up Tuesday feeling much more refreshed. Still the soreness in the calves lingered.

Tuesday he started doing some range of motion workouts to help lengthen out the muscles of the lower body and he woke up Wednesday feeling more or less back to normal with just a little bit of leftover fatigue in his body. Talking to Josh he felt like the amount of muscular efficiency training he did, and not just the running really is what enables him to recover so quickly.

Train2move is hoping to get a Hood to Coast relay team together and during that time we hope to be able to give you more examples of training ideas to help you not only run more successfully but hoe to limit many of the common injuries that typically slow many runners down. Stay tuned and with any luck we will have an announcement soon about our potential team!

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What Shoes Would You Wear for a Marathon?

Scott — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:57:31 +0000

We had a good time watching the thousands of runners this past week at the Portland Marathon, and specifically we watched to see what the most common shoe choices were. There was a big variety due to the sheer number of people that were running but a few stood out to us as the most common choice amongst the runners.

First was the choice of Train2move Athlete Josh Platt. Hopefully you were able to follow along as he trained for, and then accomplished his goal of running the time to qualify for the Boston Marathon. He ended up wearing his favorite pair of running shoes, the Nike Zooms. He had a different pair he wore for about a month but it was not working well for him so he went back to the shoe he had discovered the most success with.

I would say that the Various styles of Zooms was quite possibly the most common shoe we saw. I was however surprised to see how many people were running around in Nike Frees'. I like these shoes for walking around doing your daily routine but I could not imagine myself running for long distances in them. This however is a great choice and to be quite honest the closest shoe yet to allowing the muscles of the foot to get the maximum stimulus they deserve.

After that there were plenty of Asics and I noticed quite a few Mizunos as well. I think it would be an interesting study to see what the most common running shoe people do marathons in would be. If you had to go run one today what would you were? Personally I would want ones that came with their own motor because I am in no condition to go out and attempt to run 26.2 miles.

One other thing I wanted to touch on was how surprised at how many men did not take any precautions to protect their nipples. In the time we waited for Josh to cross I counted at least 6 that had blood all down the front of their shirt, coming from their nipples. Now Josh finished in the top 250 so I would assume many of those people had to know what they were doing. Then I saw a significantly higher number that came across over the next few hundred people. It looked extremely painful but maybe it did not bother them. I bet it hurt pretty significantly when they got in the shower though!

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Josh's Final Portland Marathon Update

Scott — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:44:38 +0000

Wow what an experience! There is so much I could say about this amazing experience. I was hoping the Portland Marathon would be something I would never forget and I was definitely not disappointed. I can remember the incredible rush of the start and the intense mental battle of the last eight miles. I felt great for the first thirteen miles of the race, flying along, way ahead of pace. But, after muscling my way up the St. John's bridge on mile sixteen the fatigue was really starting to set in.
I made it all the way to mile twenty before the muscle cramps started, but luckily they weren't enough to keep me from pushing on. It was such an encouragement to have my family and friends there, cheering and willing me on. They met me at every mile marker they could and I am very grateful for their efforts. Without them there, it definitely would have been way more of a struggle.

By the time I made it to the mile twenty-three marker I was hardly running anymore. My lower body would only continue to move at the mercy of my determination, and my silent prayers to God that he would help me survive. I can't say that I have ever been more happy to see the finish line of a race. When I turned the corner and saw the time I was filled with a great sense of accomplishment. I crossed the line with a time of 3hrs 9minutes and 18seconds!

I had finally achieved what I set out to do over four months ago. I could hardly stand under my own strength, let alone walk at the end, but it was all worth it. I also had my fellow train2move athlete Loren there to assist me at the end.

I had qualified for the Boston Marathon in my very first Marathon! I may not feel so great now but I already can't wait to gt back out there and run it again. Today will be a day I will always remember! Thanks again to all my family and friends, I couldn't have done it without you.

Watch out Boston, here I come!!

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Some Photos of the Portland Marathon

Scott — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:09:18 +0000

Here is a fun assortment of photos from the Portland Marathon for you to enjoy. Obviously many of them are about Josh but we took a few others whenever we had the Chance.

Josh and Loren as we prepared to warm Josh up. We got some interesting looks from the groups around us since he was the only person near the starting line actually doing a warm-up. I thought this was weird that everyone else was willing to just stand there for 40 minutes.

The start was pretty intense as the Mayor of Portland, Sam Adams did the countdown for each group as they left.

Near mile 20, Josh looked strong as he stayed with the small group all running with the 3 hour pace setter.

The final few steps of the 26 mile run were without a doubt the most difficult yet satisfying of the entire day for Josh.

Thanks again Josh for the great effort and memories!

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Josh's Race Day is Finally Here

Scott — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:50:16 +0000

A day that started this morning in a cold, dark downtown Portland OR, finished with success as Josh did end up qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Well at least he ran the time necessary to be considered, the rest is out of his hands. We did a quick interview for fun with Josh before the start of the race. You can see it and the start of the race below along with a clip of Josh early in the race. The event itself was absolutely fantastic. The volunteers and organizers for the Portland Marathon need to be congratulated for all their hard work.

As a spectator it was just a blast. The opportunity to watch Josh run so well was the highlight of the day but there was quite a bit to keep us entertained. There were over 70 different forms of entertainment for the runner highlighted by a group of syncopated drummers that was so intense I felt like I should jump into the race. It is nice that at the start of the race you only have to walk a few blocks to be able to see the runners at the start, then at mile 1.5, then again at about mile 5. From there the runners go off down a long stretch and so we did not catch up with Josh again until about mile 20.

We tried to spot him at mile eleven but he was too fast and beat us there, then again we missed him at mile 15. At mile 20 he was cruising along with the 3 hour pace setter. The marathon had a group of runners that were the pace setters for people who were attempting a certain time. I felt bad for them considering they had to actually carry this little sign in the end of a pole the entire time. I am sure their legs got tired by the end of the race but imagine their arms.

We are very proud of Josh and how hard he worked to accomplish his goal of running under a 3:10.00. In the end he fell off the 3 hour pace just a bit but managed to gut it out and finished at 3:09.18. This placed him 4th overall in his age category and he was even 230th place overall! It as a great time watching Josh and I want to thank him for letting us all be a part of his success story.

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Josh's Quest for the Boston Marathon Part #11

Scott — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:04:36 +0000

It's the Final Countdown!! With only one week to go before the big race I have been getting more and more excited. Even now, just thinking about it gets my adrenaline going. It will be a one of a kind experience without a doubt. I had another encouraging week of workouts and my confidence has only grown the closer race day gets. I have heard a lot of different tips along the way on what to do the night before, as well as the morning before the race. If any of you have any last minute advice, let me hear it!

I'm curious to see how it's all going to workout for me. I know it's pretty common to carb-up the night before and get up early the next day. I am definitely a morning person, so it sounds like a good idea to me. It never hurts to have lots of time to wake up in the morning! This next week leading up to the race will be the most important yet as I worked on emphasizing shorter, less demanding runs with plenty of integration and structural routines. Aside from that it will be a pretty light week until raceday. I feel prepared as well as I possibly could be.

The final step in my training will be to actually run the race. I am at the point where I know my body is physically capable of the challenge, now I just need to will myself to do it. I think the mentality and determination of a runner is what separates a good runner from a potentialy great runner. It's going to take everything that I have to finally achieve what I set out to do nearly 4 months ago, but I am up for the challenge. Scott and Loren will be posting updates on the race as I run so if you can't come down and watch you can follow my progress. I am also looking forward to seeing my family at the finish line. They have always been the biggest support in my life so having them there to celebrate with me will make it that much sweeter.

Thank you to all of you who have shown me support! Only 7 more days untill the Portland Marathon!

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Josh's Quest for the Boston Marathon Part #10

Scott — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:16:24 +0000

This week was an especially encouraging week of training for me! I did a more speed oriented workout earlier in the week and managed to run under a six minute mile pace for two consecutive four mile runs and i did what will most likely be my last "long" run this morning. I finished the 19 mile run in just over two hours, a time of 2hrs and 5minutes. I figure it's probably the new world record for a Newberg to Canby run! It was definitely the best that i have felt in weeks, and considering the pace i was running at my Boston Marathon qualifying hopes remain very much alive.

It's coming down to the final two weeks of training before race day and soon it will be time to combine the speed training with the distance, and see how it all comes together. It will also be vital for me to emphasize integration, like i mentioned last post, as well as some structural routines (stretching and realignment) to help work out any remaining kinks and get me ready for October 4th!

I am thrilled to be running in my first Portland Marathon and I am excited to share the experience with all of you. Loren and Scott will be following me along my race and updating you as we go along. I also hope to do a few interviews before and after as well. Should be a great experience and only 13 more days left!

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Josh's Quest for the Boston Marathon Part #9

Scott — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:15:34 +0000

College has continued to keep me extremely busy this past week, but fortunately I was able to find the time to do a handful of workouts. I realized this week that I had kind of gotten away from the integration I have been doing throughout my training. It’s good to be focused on the running aspect of training, but we at Train2move know that the secret to success is much more than just putting in the necessary mileage. With this in mind I entered last week training with an integration emphasis mindset.
I was pleased to find that after going through a solid integrated workout, providing the stimuli necessary to make the muscles in my body work together, I found that my body felt significantly better in every way. This idea is becoming more and more important as the date for the Portland Marathon seemingly races its way closer every day. Race day is only a mere three weeks away! To give you an example of what I mean by integration watch this video of Loren and I. By Integration we mean taking your body through full range of motion and asking it to recruit power from many different angles.

I have always loved the rushing sensation of adrenaline you get from racing, or performing any athletic feat for that matter. I can remember lining up at the start of the x-country state championships, coming out of the blocks in the final heat of the 4×4 relay at state for track, and battling it out on the hardwood during two state championship basketball games. I will never forget these moments, they will always be some of my greatest accomplishments as an athlete, and I hope to be able to look back on the Portland marathon in the very same way. I am sure it will be an incredible memorable experience, one that I can always be proud of accomplishing. Only nineteen more days till the Portland Marathon!!

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Josh's Quest for the Boston Marathon Part #8

Scott — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:59:18 +0000

This week, finding time to run..

Wow! I was expecting the first week of college to be full, but it was just crazy! I never thought it would be so hard to find enough time in the day to go for runs. I am happy to say though that I am back n schedule with my training in terms of consistency. I have figured out a time that works for me to get in the necessary miles without sacrificing my other priorities. What kind of crazy schedules do you have to manage and still maintain your training? If you have any creative ideas I invite you to share. I know in the last week I have had to resort to waking up early on several occasions, as well as do my long runs primarily on the weekend when there is more time.

I was able to almost completely eliminate the foot issue I ran into thanks to some proper muscular efficiency training. Through a process of proper stimulus to the muscular system I was able to make sure that the bones in the lower legs were in proper alignment. I also think the shoes I was wearing may have affected me and i will discuss this later.

This weekend I tried a new run. I ran 14 miles from George Fox University, in Newberg, all the way to my house in Tigard. It was kind of fun to be able to see how far places are in running time. One thing I have realized since starting my training is that on the longer runs you really do have to go further than you think. George Fox is about a thirty-minute drive from my house, but it’s only an hour and a half run. If I wanted to run the full marathon distance I would have had to run all the way there and almost all the way back, give or take a few miles.

Running a marathon really is an insane distance when you think about it, but the achievement is more than worth the hard work, hundreds of miles, and buckets of sweat. The Portland Marathon is less than one month away! The road to Boston continues….

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