Running: First Week of Spring

[OakLeaf]

Are you going to run over 26.2 in training?

I've read that many marathon plans don't have you run more than 20 miles prior to event day. Does your plan have alot of 20+ training runs?

Magic 8-ball training plan says..... All signs point to YES.

Seriously, I read recently that one of the strongest predictors of hitting "the wall" is not having done more than 20 in training. To me - knowing nothing but my own body - that seems kind of "no duh." Going out and trying to race 33% farther than I'd ever jogged just seems crazy to me.

I've got the time, what's the down-side? As long as I'm being careful about injury prevention, which I'm trying to be. Seven and a half weeks to race day gives me time to hit 26.2 in training a couple of times, anyway, before I start tapering.

Which speaking of injury prevention, I couldn't find my regular Stick yesterday so I pulled out my spiky stick, and when I was done with my legs, I started rolling my feet out. OMG. That was the missing link. I feel so much better!



Ack, Susan, fainted? Yikes! Do you have any idea why? That doesn't sound good.

[artifactos]

I'm new to running (and triathlons), and today was my farthest run yet: a 5k. In 29 minutes or so.

[colby]

Magic 8-ball training plan says..... All signs point to YES.

Seriously, I read recently that one of the strongest predictors of hitting "the wall" is not having done more than 20 in training. To me - knowing nothing but my own body - that seems kind of "no duh." Going out and trying to race 33% farther than I'd ever jogged just seems crazy to me.

I've got the time, what's the down-side? As long as I'm being careful about injury prevention, which I'm trying to be. Seven and a half weeks to race day gives me time to hit 26.2 in training a couple of times, anyway, before I start tapering.

I think once you have done a couple of marathons you know what your body needs, but there is a HUGE mental victory of KNOWING you can make the distance. Even if the benefits are only psychological, positive thinking is HUGE during a long race.

For me, my longest long run needs to be about 22-24 miles for my brain to switch over. For my first couple of marathons, I did only do 20 miles, and that was okay, but I don't feel like I RACED the distance, I just WENT the distance. Which was okay with me then, but isn't now.

For Ironman, I do only run about 20 miles as my longest long run. It might be up to 21 or 22 with warm-up/cool-down miles considered. I guess in that case you know that racing is going to be entirely different than training, so it's a matter of building endurance to carry you, and running long enough that you're confident you can jog, walk, shuffle, or crawl the last 4 miles if it comes to it.

RE: Running barefoot: I have been running in Five Fingers for about 5 weeks. The first week I did one run in them and wore them every day. The next couple of weeks I did every other run in them. Since then, I have done every run in them, including 2 runs of 14 miles. I have been listening to how my body recovers, and so far at this point my FiveFingers recovery time is the same as my body recovery time, but I do require extra stretching and attention to the ankles/calves (I have had to stretch my toes/top of my foot, too ). The first few runs were pretty painful (in a muscle sore way), then as I adjust my running posture I find I am using muscles like my adductors and glutes differently so they get sore, too.

I run on some concrete sidewalks, but mostly asphalt multi-user paved trails. Long runs I avoid as much concrete as possible and finish on grass. The Ironman run course is almost exclusively on asphalt, so I try to stick to it, even if I am not going to run Ironman in the VFFs.

[WindingRoad]

I ran a little over 4.5 today and it felt like 8 I suspect my shoes are getting old so I bought a new pair this evening. I'm starting to get achilles issues again so I'm taking tomorrow off. Tough run day.

[Deborajen]

I did a 2-mile run/walk with my dog today. She's building up mileage on the run/walks. My usual plan is for the run/walk to be an "easy run" but the dog wants to go, go, GO! So the "run" sections end up being more like speedwork. We did walk the last 1/4 mile because she was worn out. It was warm today - in the 70's. I think that took it out of her since it hadn't been that warm yet this year. I haven't been building up the long runs on the weekends like I'd planned to, but I might end up with a new PR in the 2-mile thanks to the dog!

[hammertime]

6 miles on the dreadmill tonight... good run for me.

[WindingRoad]

Started doing ice massages on my achilles and it feels better today but I think I will be taking a couple of days off. The PT-BF says to do them 2 - 3X per day, I'm gearing up for the second one now. Bought new running shoes last night, can't wait to try em out! Alas that will have to wait for a little bit.

[indigoiis]

4.3 hilly ones today for me. In the Brooks - I haven't worn the VFFs since the sprain.

[Susan Otcenas]

I think once you have done a couple of marathons you know what your body needs, but there is a HUGE mental victory of KNOWING you can make the distance. Even if the benefits are only psychological, positive thinking is HUGE during a long race.

I completely agree with this. I ran 13 miles twice in training before my half marathon. I really helped to KNOW that I was capable of it. It's the same reason I pre-ran the big hill on the Shamrock course. Knowing that I was perfectly capable of running a several-mile-long hill was a huge confidence builder.

[Susan Otcenas]

Got in 9.3 miles this morning. HR was a little high, but I'm fighting off a head cold. Trying to stay healthy, as I have a 10K race coming up this Sunday!

[limewave]

Just did 200 meter speed work.
I'm in pain.

[Aggie_Ama]

My longest run before my half marathon this weekend has been slightly over 12 miles. Last weekend I found the hilliest course I could and I felt amazing after 8 hilly miles. I am completely relaxed and excited about the run, I really think my training has been great. The bluebonnets are popping and the course should be gorgeous with wildflowers and central Texas' lost pines.

I have been running slow so I am conflicted on the pace group to get in. When I am hydrated and rested I think 10-10:30 is spot on (way down from my 8:30 days) but I don't want to push too hard. I haven't done much training at high intensity for long runs, we were told to keep the long runs at an easier pace. Actually I have never even used a pacer, so I am confused about how I will like that anyway.

I am craving fried food like a mad woman, I have been avoiding. I am not a chocolate girl, but fried food is my vice. 1 day and 20 hours to go!!

[skhill]

Today was my last "real" run before Sunday's half-- 6 miles, at a wind-slowed 9:25/mile. Friday I'm resting (but if the weather's nice, maybe a gentle bike ride) and Sat. is going to be a gentle 3 or 4 miles. I'm so excited!

My primary goal for the race is to finish. It should be under 2:15, barring some disaster; under 2:10 is a reasonable time to work towards; under 2:05 would be possible but unlikely. We'll see... My biggest worry is that I'll go out too fast, then run out of gas late in the race.

It's the first time for this half, and it sounds like some logistics problems are in the offing. They had way more folks register than expected, and finally had to cut it off at 2500 (that includes the 5k). Sounds like parking is going to be a major problem-- the organizers are asking everyone to carpool. Hopefully folks will keep a good sense of humor, while stuck in a pre-dawn traffic jam on a little country road...

[colby]

My longest run before my half marathon this weekend has been slightly over 12 miles. Last weekend I found the hilliest course I could and I felt amazing after 8 hilly miles. I am completely relaxed and excited about the run, I really think my training has been great. The bluebonnets are popping and the course should be gorgeous with wildflowers and central Texas' lost pines.

I have been running slow so I am conflicted on the pace group to get in. When I am hydrated and rested I think 10-10:30 is spot on (way down from my 8:30 days) but I don't want to push too hard. I haven't done much training at high intensity for long runs, we were told to keep the long runs at an easier pace. Actually I have never even used a pacer, so I am confused about how I will like that anyway.

I am craving fried food like a mad woman, I have been avoiding. I am not a chocolate girl, but fried food is my vice. 1 day and 20 hours to go!!

I ran with a pacer this last marathon and I liked it more than I expected. It gave me something to hang on to as I ran. That said, I preferred to walk aid stations and the pace group did not, so I had to catch up after the aid station if I wanted to stick with it (or get slightly ahead and let the pace group catch me). They also ran a pretty consistent pace up and down hills, while I preferred to go faster downhill and slower uphill. So, I'd say to stick with it for a little while if you want to try it, but do not be afraid to let them go - it doesn't mean you won't hit your target time range, it just means you might hit it differently. It's not like there's a 10:13 pace group, OR you might hit your stride later in the race and catch back up/pass them.

I missed my run on Wednesday due to travel, so I did both a bike and a run today. The bike was 6x60s intervals, and the run was 8x60s 8% hill repeats, so my glutes are crying a little bit. I did not run as fast as I usually do, but with the time change and eating on a weird schedule (not to mention the stupid treadmill) I just did whatever felt right. Surprisingly I didn't have heavy legs after biking, I just felt under-fueled. Good, because my brick workouts start soon!

Good luck this weekend to both of you racing! Looking forward to your reports.