Elliot Thoreson

Elliot Thoreson, 73 years old, has a goal of completing ten Twin Cities Marathons with a time consistent to this year's finish: 5 hours and 57 minutes. Chalk off No. 6, in which he participated earlier this fall in Minnesota.

Elliot, with two angioplasties behind him, has turned his life around and made himself a demigod of senior health and fitness. He loves the training and the actual event, and explains that a marathon takes on a life of its own.

Elliot begins training about three months before the marathon. His weekly long walks start at 12 miles and increase in distance every 10 days to two weeks. A month before the marathon, he is doing several 20 mile walks and possibly two 25 mile walks. Elliot's weekly mileage average is about two to three times the distance of the race for which he is training. His workouts for the week consist of a long walk, a day each of hill work, intervals, maintenance walking, cross training of his choice, and, or course, a day off. Elliot has a short taper of no less than ten days before a marathon, but explains that it works well for him with no injury.

This training schedule is familiar to those who have readies themselves for a marathon. Elliot adds ne more factor. He does yoga for 40 minutes a day to enhance his breath control, help his focus, and maintain flexibility. He finds that yoga is the factor that helps him maintain focus on correct technique for long races. It increases his abilities in a way that standard training cannot.

Elliot has a proven track record. He has completed six of his ten Twin Cities Marathons, he has participated in the Grandma Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota, and he's finished several half-marathons including Las Vegas and Robie Creek.

Elliot says his endurance is good, so now he will concentrate on his speed. He always keeps a goal ahead of him, and he works consistently to reach his goals. Thank your for your fine example, Elliot. You live up to your name of Thoreson, son of Thunder!