Director of Olympic Marathons

October 24, 1999

Page 2 of 6

EZguest543: What are some of your fastest times and where did you perform them at?

Julia Emmons: My fastest 10K was 39.43, and I performed it at the Pepsi national race back in 1980. And that is certainly not fast by national standards. My fastest marathon was 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 26 seconds, and I did that at the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. By those times, it is obvious I am not a national class runner.

Workout: I'm interested in marathons. How long does one normally have to train?

Julia Emmons: That depends a great deal on how long you have been running. In my own experience, I had been running for a number of years before I tried it. I prepared for 6 months, and I went on to do 20 marathons. I think that it is very important to respect the marathon system, and to work up slowly by adding a mile every two weeks. It's also important to just take the time necessary to get strong enough to do it without injury.

Charlotte: Do you specialize in certain types of marathons? Or have you participated in all lengths of marathons?

Julia Emmons: All marathons are 26.2 miles. It's a standard marathon. There are other long races that are even longer than 26.2 miles, and they are called Ultra Marathons. I have never done that.

Kat: I'm getting ready to run for a cross-country triathlon, and I run 5 miles about three times a week. I'm going to be running in a 10-mile race soon. What is the quickest way to get in shape for it quickly?

Julia Emmons: If you are going from 5 miles to 10 miles I would recommend taking the time necessary to build up, or you do run a real chance of injury. There is no way to cut corners when increasing your distance. So the answer is be careful.

Darnel43: Is there a difference in how marathoners train as opposed to regular track and field athletes?

Julia Emmons: Yes, the difference for marathoners is that you make usually one long run a week, and that is the secret to your training. If you are working up to your first marathon, I have just described how you do that. If you like to do marathons as a distance, you probably should only do two of them a year. They are very taxing on your body. A track and field athlete is a totally different kind of athlete. Their training does not consist of the long, slow distance that is required for the run of the mill marathoner. You need to be specific as to what kind of track and field athlete. They have very intense seasons where they not only run, but they do a number of drills on the track, which most marathoners do not do. They also work out in the weight room a lot, which marathoners do not do as much.

Ash: Where can I find information on surfaces best suited for beginners, and recommended running shoes to go with these surfaces?

Julia Emmons: The best surface is a soft surface like grass, a wood chip running trail, or a dirt trail. Many of us do not have those available. The next best surface, although not ideal, is asphalt. The worst surface is concrete. Unfortunately, many of us find ourselves having to run on concrete. If that is the case, choosing your shoes wisely is even more important. There are dozens of wonderful running shoes on the market. In order to choose the shoes best suited to your own particular feet, I very strongly recommend that you talk to the expert personnel at a running specialty store. That is the only way you will likely choose the right model of shoe for your foot.

Page 2 of 6