If you don't run 26 miles among your training runs how do you know you can run 26 miles in a marathon?
Pretty simple question. So why do so many training plans top out at 20? I am making adjustments and adding 25% more miles to my long run schedule after having this discussion with Jeff Galloway yesterday. We met up for a "fun run" just up the street from me here where the marthonfest-ers assemble for their Saturday excursions.
Galloway was in town and led the troops on a 1.3 mile fun run that involved jogging for 30 seconds then walking for a minute. The whole running part was underwhelming but it led quickly back to the parking lot where Q&A was the real payoff.
Long runner. This morning I was fired up to go 15 miles. I wasn't really fit for it since I had probably the most wringing week in years and I kept waking up overnight. Nevertheless, I labored on in the 75-85 degree Florida humidity and got it done.
Too close for comfort. After my run I went down to Planet Smoothie for a Mr. Mongo Chocolate smoothie. There was a long line and lots of people with numbers written on their legs. I suspected I was in the vicinity of THOSE OTHER people. Sure enough, I wandered down the street to see the awards ceremony going on for a sprint triathlon in Baldwin Park.
I didn't see anybody I know but a young lady saw me and asked how we might know each other. She knew we had met before. Turns out we worked in the same building recently and for the same company seven years ago.
She had done her first tri and was pretty pleased with herself. I mentioned my aversion to swimming and she said that part was easy. I felt that feeling of being double-dared to do something. The voice in my head sounded a lot like Jeanne.
I quickly walked to my car and drove home.
My name is David (Dylan to some). I am a runner.
Record Book
200m - 0:45.14, April 2007
400m - 1:35.58, June 2008
800m - 3:34.62, July 2007
1200m - 5:33.2, September 2005
1600m - 7:35.7, January 2007
1 mile - 7:24.0, August 2005
5K - 23:26.1, August 2005 I-Drive/U-Run, Orlando
10K - 49:46.5, November 2005 Founders Day, Orlando
12K - 1:07:20, February 2005 Outback Classic, Orlando
15K - 1:22:23, September 2008, Miracle Miles, Orlando
20K - 1:46:09, Labor Day 2005, New Haven
Half - 1:50:24, December 2005, OUC, Orlando
Marathon - 4:46:44, November 2007, New York
400m - 1:35.58, June 2008
800m - 3:34.62, July 2007
1200m - 5:33.2, September 2005
1600m - 7:35.7, January 2007
1 mile - 7:24.0, August 2005
5K - 23:26.1, August 2005 I-Drive/U-Run, Orlando
10K - 49:46.5, November 2005 Founders Day, Orlando
12K - 1:07:20, February 2005 Outback Classic, Orlando
15K - 1:22:23, September 2008, Miracle Miles, Orlando
20K - 1:46:09, Labor Day 2005, New Haven
Half - 1:50:24, December 2005, OUC, Orlando
Marathon - 4:46:44, November 2007, New York
14 comments:
I've been hearing that voice too, David. Don't listen to it, run away from the voice.
The swimming is was keeps me a runner rather than a tri-er. Swimming is only easy if you're part fish.
Galloway is a pretty fasincating guy to sit and talk with...I had the chance to do the same at Rocket City in December.
The mileage thing on the long run is valid. For me, I've found linking that to R/W is key.
And I have a mongo experiment on just that topic in 6 days now...stay tuned, I'll write about it.
Glad you had a nice weekend after an awful week!!
I share the aversion to swimming. My ears are shaped so as to let water in very easily. If you have ever suffered from swimmer's ear, you'd understand my aversion.
Up to 15 miles already? That scares me. My schedule doesn't have me running that distance until the 8th & 9th weeks. I just finished week 3.
I have to admit that I like the long run and have been doing 12 to 14 miles every weekend. Except this one. I was out on a Jeep trip and there were some very steep steeps (so I ran 8 miles).
I have increased the scheduled miles over what was suggested, but I keep being told that a first Marathon should be run to finish - Especially for a Clydesdale runner (and that I am - Even though I am losing about a pound a week)...
Listen to the voice.....it's calling you.......
I agree that marathon training should have the last 8 weeks pegged for 15, 12, 18, 12, 20, 12, 22, 12. You need to go past the 20 mile wall in order to have a really good marathon. Otherwise you just don't know.
I meant 9 weeks because the week before the big event you should only 6 or 7 miles.
I'd skip straight to the "Triple Dog Dare", but I'm still in awe of your meeting Galloway. His book did great things for me and Missy.
I never ran more than 20 miles while training for my first marathon, but one of my long runs ended up taking as long as my first marathon.
I triple dog dare you to tri. You'll be hooked!
bwahahahahahahaha!!!! that young lady was channeling me. it won't be long now. you'll be buying a bike soon. trust me.
when i did galloway, he did indeed have us do a 26 mile run a few weeks before the marathon. i can't say it particularly helped me but then again i really didn't have a clue what i was doing.
sorta kinda just like now!
and p.s. susan: you know you want it!!!
It seems like you're in DC. Call me 202-297-4874 if you want to go long on the trails in Northern VA or around Georgetown (security on the fenced off Mall will probably make that a non-run).
Dude! Your a veteran at this already. You don't need 26. You don't need to prove anything. You da man!
I agree, I don't think 20 miles is nearly close enough to 26 to really let you know how well you might do. I like to do 23 as my longest LR, I figure that fits me within 30 mins of my finish time which seems pretty reasonable!
I can't believe you're already up to 15 so far!
Post a Comment