There’s Little Time Left, so Start Training Now

May 3, 2010

The 34th annual Bellin Run is five weeks away. For those who have yet to begin serious training for the 10K (6.2-mile) run/walk, there’s still time, but the clock is ticking.

The 2010 Bellin Run will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 12. The run/walk winds through the streets of Green Bay and Allouez. It drew a record 16,746 registrants in 2009.

Bellin Run participants beginning their training at this late stage should focus their efforts on getting their bodies conditioned to finish the run/walk and not necessarily break any personal bests, said Nate Vandervest, a strength and conditioning specialist at Bellin Health Sports Medicine.

“It’s going to be a challenge to really break a personal best time or anything of that nature right now if you haven’t already been seriously training,” he said. “The main thing at this point in time is to just get out there and do something to prepare yourself for the June 12 race. Anything you do now is better than doing nothing.”

Vandervest advises easing into a training regimen, ramping it up as race day approaches.

“Start fairly simple, say, three to four runs per week,” he said. “Put in a mile or two each training day and add mileage each week as you progress. So, say you put in eight miles the first week, the next week you should amp that up by one to three additional miles and keep doing that up until race week. At this stage, that is the best training option for participants getting a late start in their training efforts.”

A minor tweak on the course this year is the inclusion of an additional wave start. There were seven waves of runners and walkers last year. The June 12 event will have eight.

“It’s a proactive move,” Bellin Run executive director Randy Van Straten said. “We’re adding another runner wave to accommodate continued growth and keep congestion in the start corrals to a minimum for the safety and overall enjoyment of our participants.”

The change will separate the stroller division from walkers, race organizers say. After six initial runner waves start the race, a seventh wave of strollers followed by an eighth wave of walkers will begin the run/walk event.

“It’s all geared toward making this an increasingly pleasurable experience for all Bellin Run participants,” Van Straten said.