Just signed up at Runners for Life. I share same passion for running. Nice to know you. Thanks for asking me to be your friend.

Dear Murthy,

Thanks for your comments on my 129th marathon. Upon completion I caught cold (presumably from my son) and now still recovering. I had to cancel a marathon on last Sunday and it looks like there will be no marathon for next two weeks. I hope you are fine and healthy.
Best wishes.
Anil

Dear Murthy,

Greetings from Vienna.

Due to many reasons I am constrained to cancel my participation in the Bangalore Ultra which I had been seriously considering to participate. Please enjoy your workouts and have a good time in your race in the Ultra meet.

Best wishes.

Anil

Dear Murthy,

Greetings from Vienna.

Thank you very much for your message of 25.Apr.2009.

My intention of exposing myself to the Runners For Life has been to share my experience with them. By doing so I thought at least a few runners will see themselves encouraged to take up to marathon running to experience what it is like. I am glad your interest has been initiated.

I followed and still follow Jeff Galloway's marathon training program. This is a very safe way to start the training. As you might already know there are a few basic criteria to be looked into. Health is the most important factor. Please go through proper medical clearances which are appropriate for running a marathon before launching your program. As the training program advances the body comes under increasing pressure to handle a very high heart beat rate, a big demand on blood circulation, etc.

I am 54 and am going through several medical checks a year as my marathon running intensity is not normal. In the recent years I have been running very frequently. Please take a look at my PDF list of my marathons if you are keenly interested in my intensity.

The usual marathon training is set for about 10 months. The basic principle would be train on three different stages: improve leg strength, get the long distance endurance and train the speed. You would peak up targeting the marathon date.

There are several training programs available on the internet. A good place to start would be Runnerworld.com.

Please compare various programs and find out which suits you the best.

It would be my very big pleasure to accompany you in your first marathon. I visit Bangalore once in two years and hope to be there in July this year. Alas, there are no marathons in Bangalore at this time.

Please let me know how you feel about these points.

Believe me, when I have been able to some marathons, it is definitely possible to do for you also to do. It is just that the place where I live has more marathons to look around than Bangalore at this stage.

Thank you for contacting me and feel free to discuss running any time.

Best wishes.

Anil