6.29.2008

Common sense

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.

14 comments:

Runner Susan said...

I've been hearing that voice too, David. Don't listen to it, run away from the voice.

Darrell said...

The swimming is was keeps me a runner rather than a tri-er. Swimming is only easy if you're part fish.

Joe said...

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!!

CewTwo said...

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)...

21stCenturyMom said...

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.

21stCenturyMom said...

I meant 9 weeks because the week before the big event you should only 6 or 7 miles.

Jank said...

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.

Unknown said...

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.

Tiggs said...

I triple dog dare you to tri. You'll be hooked!

jeanne said...

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!

jeanne said...

and p.s. susan: you know you want it!!!

peter said...

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).

Rich said...

Dude! Your a veteran at this already. You don't need 26. You don't need to prove anything. You da man!

Rae said...

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!