The Country Music Marathon is 10 weeks from tomorrow. Our runners and walkers at Hammock have entered the critical 10 weeks till race day stretch. We have a couple people on and just off IR right now (Barbara L. on, Patrick R. back in the game) and others who are just cranking up their training (yours truly among them). We have plans for our Team Hammock Spirit Station (we'll keep you posted), and the ever-important after-party. I'm checking to see how much Led Zeppelin will charge to play again for the after-party. I think that would be really a cool thing.

As the player/coach for Hammock's Country Music Marathon team (think Will Ferrell in the soon-to-be-released movie Semi-Pro), I thought I'd pass along a couple of tips I've learned from my years of being a running geek. As I am neither a sports trainer, nor a physician, I will stick to general principles and link to real experts.

1. Can I start training now? Yes. With a couple caveats. I would dissuade anyone from starting now and running your first half-marathon, but for joggers and regular runners, the schedule on a couple of the below sites can get you fit enough to run in 10 weeks. Or, just walk it.

Most training regimens for the half marathon are around 16-17 weeks. Marathon Rookie is one I'd heard of, and probably the gold standard for beginners is(Jeff Galloway's) method. There are plenty of others.

I actually googled "10-week 1/2 marathon training" this morning and found a link to a local runner who has a site called Pet Peeving. He has a 10-week schedule that assumes a base of running already, and is focused on him finishing the Country Music Marathon. Ben (he's also a marketing guy who is studying the idea of pet peeves in marketing) we wish you well. His site is based on the principles of Marathon Rookie.

2. Register for the race at http://www.cmmarathon.com. Do it now. This thing is not exactly Hannah Montana ticket popularity, but it's a big deal.

3. Have good enough shoes to train and race in. I like Team Nashville because owners Terry and Robert are serious about running and it reminds me of running stores like Moss Brown and Co. that I grew up with in Georgetown, that emerged in the aftermath of the jogging boom of the 1970s. Talk to them about training. There are places that will x-ray your feet. This gives some people great comfort. I think it's a bit gimmicky. Note about Team Nashville, they don't sell Nikes and some other brands of shoes. They don't talk about Nikes and some other brands of shoes. You can ask them why, but I've never dared. If you aren't in Nashville, find a good store. Stores that have stuff piled everywhere and aren't overly slick are likely a good store. Stores with teenagers that are wearing fake athletic uniforms may not be good at helping you choose shoes.

4. Don't stress out. As important as mileage is rest from running, sleep, good eating. Basically live your life. If you can work up to running 10 miles or running/walking 10 miles before the race by yourself or with a friend, you can finish 13.1 miles with 22,000 other people around you and your friends and neighbors cheering you on.

5. The Country Music Marathon is a first-class event. It's fun to race. It's also fun to watch. I've watched it many times, and am amazed at how great a time it can be. Team Hammock will be as focused on the off-course events as the on-course events.

6. Do some good with it. You can harness your training to raise some money. At Team Hammock, we are assembling an online tool that will allow us to raise some money for causes we support. There are plenty of good ones out there.

7. Don't run through injuries. Seriously. At this stage of your life, Coach isn't going to play you because you're gutting it out. Orthopedic surgery is expensive. Soreness is to be expected. Pain and suffering isn't. It's better to err on the side of being smart. Don't think other people care if you aren't training. If you really get hurt, you're always welcome at the Hammock Spirit Station.

8. Have fun.