Track Bob's Half Marathon Training: Week 1

Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

Yes I'm torturing myself again, but this time it's for a great cause. It's called Team Challenge. I'm training for another half marathon for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation this July 19th in Napa, California.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. One point four million Americans suffer from Crohn's or colitis and as many as 150,000 of them are under the age of 18. My cousin suffers from Crohn's, so this is something that personally affects me.

I'm honored that the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation has made me the honorary Chairman for the Napa to Sonoma half marathon. This also means that I have to resume my running and weight lifting workouts. By nature, I am a hockey player. I'm used to quick bursts of energy, resting, more bursts. Running is a different animal all together. Each week until the race, I'll share with you guys my workout routine and how much my body has changed. I just ran the Atlanta ING half marathon in one hour 49 minutes, and I want to beat that time! I'm starting out on a bad note, however, with a slight tear in a muscle in my side. I was told I can run if I can stand the pain. Hey, I'm a tough guy (ha!), so I'll press through it. Plus, my wife is running the race, and she pushes me anyway.

My workout plan this week:
Monday: 3.5 mile run, weights
Tuesday: 35 minute tempo run (gradually build to a sprint for 2 minutes and slide back down to a jog by 35 minutes), weights
Wednesday: 3 mile run, weights
Thursday: 7 mile run, weights
Friday: Rest. Actually, driving to SC beach for vacation.

Next week it gets worse. I'll let you know how this week goes!

More about Team Challenge:

Most people go day-to-day not knowing when their disease will strike again. Team Challenge gives runners and walkers of all levels a chance to help get lives back on track. Participants train for a personally rewarding and exciting endurance event, while raising funds for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research. For more information, click here.