Planning For The Future

Quick update tonight, since I'm getting up early tomorrow to travel. I just wanted to share some great websites for information on and tools to help with running.

I'm definitely getting ahead of myself here, but I'm really looking forward to training for runs. I'll probably regret saying that when I actually start training, because my legs will probably feel like they are going to fall off after my first couple runs. But it's kind of cool to think about running, simply because I've never been a runner. It's sort of like learning a new skill or trade, or beginning college (or law school, in my case). It's a little scary to think about, but it's kind of exciting to be learning new things. Anyways, on to the websites...you runners out there probably already know of these places, so feel free to skip today's blogisode.

Hal Higdon is a legendary Runner's World magazine writer who has a ton of books about running and provides a bunch of training programs and information. His site is LOADED with extremely valuable advice. I will absolutely visit this site on a regular basis when I'm ready to train. But I now have a difficult question to answer: follow Hal's 5K training program or Cool Running's Couch-to-5K program? Anyone have any suggestions or have personal experience with either?

Map My Run allows you to plan your running routes in advance, so you can determine how long a route is and whether there is any elevation in your run. You can also view runs set by others (there are over 3.5 million runs), log your training, and even create leaderboards. It is so great to know that a helpful website like this exists, because it gives me greater confidence to get out and run in the neighborhood. I was wondering recently, "How do I know where to run around here?" This site is the solution. Looks like they have a cool iPhone app, too.

I'm sure I will discover more resources as I get closer to training. For now, it's fun just reading all of the articles on these sites and playing around with the cool tools. I'm getting psyched!