Since I am going to be writing a lot about it over the next few months, I thought it would be helpful for you to know a little bit more about the University of Calgary Marathon Training Program. So here is a a bit of history and information about the club:

The U of C Marathon Training Program – formerly known as the Honolulu Marathon Program – is western Canada’s longest running program of its kind.

The training schedule is designed to guide even a beginner runner through the process of training for a half or full marathon, ending with the option of taking part in a destination race, the location of which changes yearly. While the program is geared towards first-time marathoners, many runners return year after year to participate as alumni and continue to benefit from the coaching and community that has been built around the program.

The season-long training package includes two coached runs a week, a lecture series and other group events, some that involve training and some that are just for fun.

I first learned about the program while working as a freelance writer and photographer in Calgary in the fall. I was hired by the U of C active living department to write a series of stories for their Winter 2015 Active Living Guide. Between interviews and photo shoots I ended up spending a lot of time with members of the program and it was an assignment I really enjoyed working on.

At some point I must have let it slip that running a marathon was something I was interested in doing “some day,” because a few months later they approached me and asked if I was interested in participating in the program and blogging about it while I did. They wanted someone to journal the process of training for and running their first marathon.

Everything I write here will be my full and honest opinion. I will be sharing the good, bad and the ugly of my experience regardless of what that might include (I’m sure there won’t be too much ugly, but I’ve been told that long races can be a bit hard on the feet).

When I first got the idea in my head that I would run a marathon some day I don’t think I imagined doing it like this, but I am already glad I am. We are just over a month into the program and I am going to spend the next few weeks catching you up to all we have done so far. After that I will be posting a more “live” account of where I am at in my training.

If you are interested in finding out more about the program check out my Links Page.