Run Your Dreams - Cam

Please allow me to introduce you to Cam, an outfitter at Fleet Feet Syracuse, who would like to share his Run Your Dreams experience.

Cam got his start in running because of karate as a 6 year old. When he was a junior in high school, he started running exclusively. While at Liverpool High School and Oneonta State, Cam was a middle distance runner competing in the 400m up to the 10km.

After he graduated from college and started working at Fleet Feet, he set a goal of running a half marathon in a time fast enough to qualify for the NYC Marathon. He set a goal of 1:16:59 knowing 1:19 would qualify him for NYC.

Once he had his goal time in place, he concentrated on mentally preparing for the goal. He then structured a physical plan himself. The plan included:

1. Monday- Easy run or off day
2. Tuesday - Tempo pace
3. Wednesday-2 runs, easy run in the morning, easy run in the evening
4. Thursday - Short sprints with easy mileage
5. Friday - 5K and 10K race pace
6. Saturday- Repeat of Wednesday
7. Sunday - long run at a 6:20 to 7:50 pace

He set this plan up for 8 weeks averaging 62 miles per week. Of those miles 40-60 of them were under the race pace goal.

Then 6 weeks out he targeted 8 miles at race pace.

He went into this training not being overly concerned if he missed a workout. By doing this, he was able to avoid injury. He didn’t run through pain like he did in the past.

On race day, everything fell into place. At the 10 mile mark he was where he needed to be. To help with a strong finish, he verbally said out loud, he was going to do this. When others heard him saying this, the group he was running with started encouraging him.

1:16:58 was his finish time. 

Cam was able to Run His Dream. What is your dream in 2024?