By Brendan M. Cournane
Brendan M. Cournane has provided speed and endurance training for thousands of runners for endurance events. Cournane, who has run at least 80 marathons on six continents and in all 50 states, is a practicing attorney. He welcomes your questions and comments.
• Set a long-term goal and have short-term goals along the way to measure your progress.
• Find a coach or training program that suits your needs. Look for compatibility in philosophy, flexibility, time constraints and cost in helping you reach your training needs and goals.
• Train to your current level of fitness. Honestly assess your recent history of physical fitness, not where you were in the past, nor where you will be in several months.
• Periodically reassess your progress toward your long-term goal. Short races provide objective evidence. Use these results to modify your goals as necessary.