Back On The Bus: Looks Like I’ll Be Racing Ryan Hall

That’s right, a press release from Ryan Hall’s sponsor, Asics, indicates that the 2:06 marathoner will be targeting the 2009 ING NYC Marathon. We will be racing each other.

Of course, in a way we’re on the same team. We’re both coached by Terrence Mahon, the Mammoth TC coach and head of Run Mammoth, the coaching service that has prepared my program. But being on a team in running is a bit different than in other sports. If you’ve run on a cross-country team you know that, yes, it’s a team event but it’s not like the team members aren’t dying to beat one another.

OK, so indeed one will be able to measure how far I am behind Hall in NYC with a sundial, but apparently I have additional threats to consider. Like Justin Nyberg, a staff writer at Outside Magazine who is blogging on his preparation for the NYC Marathon, just as I am. He too is on the Run Mammoth team (thanks to Asics, we both have temporary access to the coaching of Mahon and brain trust). Nyberg is shooting to go under 2:40.

I’m a big fan of Outside, but that will not deter the inevitable smackdown between the two of us through New York’s five boroughs. (I request age-grading and a head start).

Check out Nyberg’s Q and A with our exceptionally skinny teammate:

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/fitness/

Follow former 2:38 marathoner, and current editor-in-chief of Inside Triahlon magazine, TJ Murphy as he trains for his return to the marathon at the 2009 ING New York City Marathon. TJ will be getting “back on the bus” of marathon training with the guidance of elite coach Terrence Mahon under the Asics Editor’s Run NYC Marathon program. Learn more about Terrence, his athletes and his programs at www.runmammoth.com.