Perhaps the only thing more boring than watching someone run the first 23 miles of a marathon, is watching (or hearing about) them training for one. Even gruesome tales of chafing and lost toenails can’t keep the interest of non-runners. If you’re one of those people, please feel free to ignore this and similar posts in the future. You won’t hurt my feelings. I promise.

I’m registered to run the New York City Marathon Nov. 2 and my training officially began this past Saturday.

Below are some stats about me, personally and as a runner. (They’re pretty mediocre, but that’s sort of the point: an ordinary person running extraordinary distances). You can track my training mileage, pace, etc. at the website for Nike+ which I’ll update weekly using my Nike+ Sportband. I’d like to invite other marathoners and half-marathoners who use on-line journals to send links, and I’ll post them with mine.

I’ll also post a topic pertinent to distance running each week for everyone to discuss.

This week, I’d like to talk about running form. Most experienced runners will tell you that good posture while running is important for efficiency and reducing the risk of injuries. Stand up straight, relax the shoulders, keep your hands pumping straight forward, etc.

Then came the spectacle of Romania’s Constantina Tomescu-Dita, who won gold in the Women’s Olympic Marathon Saturday. Tomescu-Dita’s arms churned and swirled in ragged, energy-sapping fashion every step of the 26.2-mile course. So here’s a question: Is good running form overrated? Or is Tomescu-Dita an exception to the rule? I’m going with the later.

Now about me . . .

Name: Cindy Billhartz Gregorian

Age: 42

Height/Weight: 5-foot-6, 135 pounds.

Number of previous marathons: 6

Training program: Self-tailored, 11-week schedule that includes running only 4 times a week (more on this later)

Slowest finish time: 1999 Chicago Marathon, 4:56

Fastest finish time: 2004 St. Louis Marathon, 4:09

Expected NY finish time: 4:10

Pre-training running schedule: 6.5 miles three times a week.