Coach for Cash Contest
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Here's the idea behind the 'Coach for Ca$h' contest. I plan on running the National Marathon in Washington DC on March 20th. The goal, run 2:24:59 or faster.
However, to do a little experiment along the way, I figured I would use this blog to host a contest for anyone that would be interesting in 'coaching' me to my goal.
The Reward: You get $250 if I run 2:24:59 or faster.
The Bonus: for every :30 faster than 2:24:29, you get $100. So...
2:24:59 - 2:24:30: $250
2:24:29 - 2:24:00: $350
2:23:59 - 2:23:30: $450
2:23:29 - 2:23:00: $550 ... and so on.
The Reason: To have a little fun. To get some interaction and involvement. To give someone, anyone, a shot at putting their ideas and philosophies to use - and win some cash in the process.
The Setup: From now until Friday, December 18th, I will be accepting training programs for the training block of January 4th through race day (March 20th).
As entries come in, I will post the plans to the blog for viewing by all visitors. Plans will be posted under anonymous names, unless the person submitting wants their name attached.
However, when submitting your plan via email to me initially, I will ask you to supply me with your real name and email address - along with the preferred anonymous nickname to use when posted publicly.
I will not require coaching history, credentials, running background, or anything along those lines... this contest is open to ANYONE!
During the week of December 21st, once all the entries have been collected and posted, the visitors of the site will then get to vote on what program they want me to use to prepare for the National Marathon. The poll will be posted for about a week and the winner will be contacted.
Once the program starts up, I will post daily updates of how the training is progressing... everything will be documented here - on this blog.
The time line (subject to change):
Submissions due by: December 20th.
Voting starts: December 21st.
Winner announced: December 28th.
Program length: January 4th - March 20th.
The Details: I am not looking for a hands-on coach or a babysitter. You can live 2500 miles away... that's fine with me if your program is good enough to win out! If you submit your program and win, the amount of communication will be dictated by you. A weekly email or frequency along those lines is fine with me... unless you, as the winning 'Coach', deems otherwise.
Also, as you are formulating your plan to submit... you can cookie cut, or you can try to develop a highly specific, individualized plan... whatever you think it is going to take to win the vote.
I will answer any questions you have in order to design your plan... either publicly in the comments section below, or via email.
Preparation of fitness: This the program will start up January 4th... not exactly leaving a ton of time until race day. So, in the meantime, I will be laying the foundation of base work... consisting of steady mileage and a weekly AT tempo run. Once again, you can track my training here.
By the start date, I will be in good enough shape whereas I will be running in the range of 75-90 miles a week by that time, doing one AT tempo run per week as noted, and will be ready to train at whatever level of mileage or intensity is noted in the program.
My Background: I personally see the most success with my running when doing roughly 85-95 miles a week. I ran 2:26:47 last year (2008) at the Columbus Marathon - you can read my race recap here and see all my splits here.
For additional insight, you can view my last 2 years or so of training by clicking here.
More importantly possibly... my PRs are as follows - with the year that the time was achieved (I can provide you with links to the races below if need be):
800m: 1:52 (2003)
1500m: 3:56 (2000)
3k: 8:35 (2007)
3k Steeple: 8:54 (2003)
5k: 14:44 (2003)
5m (road): 24:38 (2008)
10k (road): 31:22 (2006)
1/2-thon: 1:09:53 (2008)
Marathon: 2:26:47 (2008)
Points of importance: Please take into account... I live in Cleveland, OH - this block of training will take place during the winter (lots of snow and many days with highs in the mid-20s - at best), some consideration should be paid towards that. I live 1/4 mile from the Cleveland Metropark system, with miles and miles (100+ if you count how it dumps you into the CVNP) of trails, bike paths, etc. I also have access to top notch 200m and 300m indoor tracks.
I have no problem with getting up at 5:30am to train. I have a large number of potential training partners, ranging anywhere from 2:17 to 3:00 in the marathon, and another handful of 15:00-16:20 5k types.
I have a wife and a 3 year old son. I have a career... and do travel regularly (typically down South... so a positive as it's a chance to get to a warmer climate during the winter months).
Races during the training block will be discussed once a winner is announced... please keep races in mind as part of the program, but don't work them in specifically.
Disclaimers (subject to change):
- If there are 5 or less training program submissions, I have the right to call off the contest.
- I may submit my own program into the mix, however, it will not be posted anonymous like the others.
Send all training program submissions, via email, to: timothybudic[at]yahoo.com
* Timothy
However, to do a little experiment along the way, I figured I would use this blog to host a contest for anyone that would be interesting in 'coaching' me to my goal.
The Reward: You get $250 if I run 2:24:59 or faster.
The Bonus: for every :30 faster than 2:24:29, you get $100. So...
2:24:59 - 2:24:30: $250
2:24:29 - 2:24:00: $350
2:23:59 - 2:23:30: $450
2:23:29 - 2:23:00: $550 ... and so on.
The Reason: To have a little fun. To get some interaction and involvement. To give someone, anyone, a shot at putting their ideas and philosophies to use - and win some cash in the process.
The Setup: From now until Friday, December 18th, I will be accepting training programs for the training block of January 4th through race day (March 20th).
As entries come in, I will post the plans to the blog for viewing by all visitors. Plans will be posted under anonymous names, unless the person submitting wants their name attached.
However, when submitting your plan via email to me initially, I will ask you to supply me with your real name and email address - along with the preferred anonymous nickname to use when posted publicly.
I will not require coaching history, credentials, running background, or anything along those lines... this contest is open to ANYONE!
During the week of December 21st, once all the entries have been collected and posted, the visitors of the site will then get to vote on what program they want me to use to prepare for the National Marathon. The poll will be posted for about a week and the winner will be contacted.
Once the program starts up, I will post daily updates of how the training is progressing... everything will be documented here - on this blog.
The time line (subject to change):
Submissions due by: December 20th.
Voting starts: December 21st.
Winner announced: December 28th.
Program length: January 4th - March 20th.
The Details: I am not looking for a hands-on coach or a babysitter. You can live 2500 miles away... that's fine with me if your program is good enough to win out! If you submit your program and win, the amount of communication will be dictated by you. A weekly email or frequency along those lines is fine with me... unless you, as the winning 'Coach', deems otherwise.
Also, as you are formulating your plan to submit... you can cookie cut, or you can try to develop a highly specific, individualized plan... whatever you think it is going to take to win the vote.
I will answer any questions you have in order to design your plan... either publicly in the comments section below, or via email.
Preparation of fitness: This the program will start up January 4th... not exactly leaving a ton of time until race day. So, in the meantime, I will be laying the foundation of base work... consisting of steady mileage and a weekly AT tempo run. Once again, you can track my training here.
By the start date, I will be in good enough shape whereas I will be running in the range of 75-90 miles a week by that time, doing one AT tempo run per week as noted, and will be ready to train at whatever level of mileage or intensity is noted in the program.
My Background: I personally see the most success with my running when doing roughly 85-95 miles a week. I ran 2:26:47 last year (2008) at the Columbus Marathon - you can read my race recap here and see all my splits here.
For additional insight, you can view my last 2 years or so of training by clicking here.
More importantly possibly... my PRs are as follows - with the year that the time was achieved (I can provide you with links to the races below if need be):
800m: 1:52 (2003)1500m: 3:56 (2000)
3k: 8:35 (2007)
3k Steeple: 8:54 (2003)
5k: 14:44 (2003)
5m (road): 24:38 (2008)
10k (road): 31:22 (2006)
1/2-thon: 1:09:53 (2008)
Marathon: 2:26:47 (2008)
Points of importance: Please take into account... I live in Cleveland, OH - this block of training will take place during the winter (lots of snow and many days with highs in the mid-20s - at best), some consideration should be paid towards that. I live 1/4 mile from the Cleveland Metropark system, with miles and miles (100+ if you count how it dumps you into the CVNP) of trails, bike paths, etc. I also have access to top notch 200m and 300m indoor tracks.
I have no problem with getting up at 5:30am to train. I have a large number of potential training partners, ranging anywhere from 2:17 to 3:00 in the marathon, and another handful of 15:00-16:20 5k types.
I have a wife and a 3 year old son. I have a career... and do travel regularly (typically down South... so a positive as it's a chance to get to a warmer climate during the winter months).
Races during the training block will be discussed once a winner is announced... please keep races in mind as part of the program, but don't work them in specifically.
Disclaimers (subject to change):
- If there are 5 or less training program submissions, I have the right to call off the contest.
- I may submit my own program into the mix, however, it will not be posted anonymous like the others.
Send all training program submissions, via email, to: timothybudic[at]yahoo.com
* Timothy
2 comments:
There is no need for a structured plan.
True, and I completely agree in many aspects.
That is how I 'trained' for the Columbus Marathon in 2008. I had a great block of unstructured training, about 10 days out, I said... I'm fit NOW, I need to find a race. CBus worked out logistics wise, so bingo.
However, that doesn't lend itself to an opportunity like this... I want this to be educational as well as interactive, thus the contest. To try something different, from a new angle.
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