washingtonpost.com > Photo

Training for a marathon

Lenny Bernstein was disappointed by his marathon time. But if the 51-year-old, for whom running is a middle-age obsession, got the same professional training as elite athletes, would he improve?

At some point, most recreational athletes wonder: How good could I be if I had what the pros have? My own coach. Superior physical training. Top-of-the-line equipment. The most talented athletes are identified as early as middle school and channeled to elite programs where, justifiably, they receive the best of everything. But what if the worst athletes had the best coaches?

At some point, most recreational athletes wonder: How good could I be if I had what the pros have? My own coach. Superior physical training. Top-of-the-line equipment. The most talented athletes are identified as early as middle school and channeled to elite programs where, justifiably, they receive the best of everything. But what if the worst athletes had the best coaches?

Sean McCormick

At 51, Bernstein had trained for seven marathons in five years -- with friends, with a charity, with an online program and with a local running group. His personal best before he teamed up with professional trainers, was 4:33, which put him in the bottom 40 percent of the 50-54 age group. "I have always felt I could do better," Bernstein writes.

At 51, Bernstein had trained for seven marathons in five years -- with friends, with a charity, with an online program and with a local running group. His personal best before he teamed up with professional trainers, was 4:33, which put him in the bottom 40 percent of the 50-54 age group. "I have always felt I could do better," Bernstein writes.

Sean McCormick

Matt Centrowitz, coach of the American University track team and two-time Olympian, agreed to help Bernstein train for 14 weeks before the National Marathon. Their track workouts are designed to help Bernstein increase speed and learn to hold a pace.

Matt Centrowitz, coach of the American University track team and two-time Olympian, agreed to help Bernstein train for 14 weeks before the National Marathon. Their track workouts are designed to help Bernstein increase speed and learn to hold a pace.

Sean McCormick

Helen Beven, a specialist in physical training, works with The Post's Lenny Bernstein. Bernstein set out to see if top-notch training with professionals would help improve his marathon time.

Helen Beven, a specialist in physical training, works with The Post's Lenny Bernstein. Bernstein set out to see if top-notch training with professionals would help improve his marathon time.

Sean McCormick

Bernstein, shown here during a workout, started training at 206 pounds on his 5-11 frame. Dropping some weight was part of the plan -- research shows that each pound lost saves about two seconds per mile over the course of a marathon.

Bernstein, shown here during a workout, started training at 206 pounds on his 5-11 frame. Dropping some weight was part of the plan -- research shows that each pound lost saves about two seconds per mile over the course of a marathon.

Sean McCormick

As they began their training regimen, Beven told Bernstein that a stronger body, from shoulders to calves, would help him run faster and delay fatigue during the race.

As they began their training regimen, Beven told Bernstein that a stronger body, from shoulders to calves, would help him run faster and delay fatigue during the race.

Sean McCormick

Bernstein's training with Beven involves exercises meant to strengthen his core, improve balance and boost explosiveness in his legs.

Bernstein's training with Beven involves exercises meant to strengthen his core, improve balance and boost explosiveness in his legs.

Sean McCormick

Bernstein stretches amid some of the 10,000 others who ran in Washington's National Marathon in March.

Bernstein stretches amid some of the 10,000 others who ran in Washington's National Marathon in March.

Sean McCormick

"I cross the starting line and to my delight, the 14 weeks of training kick in immediately. I run faster than I ever have, with less effort," Bernstein writes. But around mile 20 he became dehydrated and struggled in the final stretch of the 26.2 mile race. He finished in 4:39:12 -- six minutes slower than his previous best. A month later, however, Bernstein finished the Boston Marathon in 4:27:12.

"I cross the starting line and to my delight, the 14 weeks of training kick in immediately. I run faster than I ever have, with less effort," Bernstein writes. But around mile 20 he became dehydrated and struggled in the final stretch of the 26.2 mile race. He finished in 4:39:12 -- six minutes slower than his previous best. A month later, however, Bernstein finished the Boston Marathon in 4:27:12.

Sean McCormick

Gallery Credits:
Text Editor Kathleen Hom

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content.

This Story A Dreamer's Run: Can professional training improve a middle-age runner's marathon time? Article \| Washington Post fitness columnist Lenny Bernstein is a middle-age runner who wanted to improve his marathon time. Will training for his next marathon with professional coaches and experts help him finish faster? Transcript: Post Magazine: Marathon training with the pros Bernstein on training for a marathon Training for a marathon This Story Marathons: What happens before the starting line Article \| Overcoming obstacles -- physical, mental and spiritual -- is the essence of marathon running. The 30,000 participants in the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon have conquered heat, humidity, hills, fatigue and in some cases injuries to reach the starting line of the 35th annual "People's Marathon." Still... Brief history of a long race Interactive Graphic: Is your body ready? Marine Corps Marathon Coverage 2010 Route Your Photos: Marine Corps Marathon and Training Training for a marathon		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
» This Story:Read +\|Watch +\|Talk +\| Comments » This Story:Read +\|Watch +\| Comments

© 2010 www.washingtonpost.com