Marathon Plan
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mlb929
Posts: 1,974 Member
I'm 5 weeks out from my marathon, it's my second, and my first I finished, but with injury and this one I really want to "run" the whole thing, not walk/run as I did to finish before. I'm doing the same one again.
I've done my training runs, have already ran 20 miles on 4 previous occasions, I did 20 miles today, have another 20 miles in 2 weeks, then begin to taper.
I follow the Run Less/Run Faster plan, which is 3 intense training runs per week and 2 days of biking. I had to miss one 20 mile run, and took 3 weeks off for only cross training because of fear of a stress fracture if I didn't change up. I worked really hard those 3 weeks, pool running, biking, elliptical and have done well with maintaining my fitness.
I ran a half marathon last week with a friend, she begged me to do it with her, then got sick and wasn't able to do it, I did it anyway. I turned out to be a trail run, which I wasn't aware it was going to be, I hate trail runs. For 5 miles we ran down the middle of railroad tracks, 5 miles were on rough uneven gravel roads, and 3 miles were on paved roads, with one horrific hill. The terrain was tough on me not being used to it.
I felt beat up all last week, finally got into the massage therapist yesterday. Felt pretty good going into today. My 20 miles went well. I felt pretty danged good about it overall. I was training at MP + 20 seconds and finished at MP+12 seconds overall. I worked hard to keep it within pace.
However, my concern, that 20th mile was tough. They have never been tough like that before. I worked hard to keep my paces w/in training of the long slow distance and did pretty well. This was the first time all summer the temps were lower - started in 60's finished in high 70's, several weeks ago I finished at 85 degrees (yuck). But now it has me doubting myself and my training. If mile 20 was that hard today, how am I going to get past that to get 6.2 more miles in. The course is great, those last 6 miles are relatively downhill (mile 25 is slightly up then back down over an overpass on a bridge).
I know I'm just doubting myself and my training, but could really use some words of advice or encouragement.
I've done my training runs, have already ran 20 miles on 4 previous occasions, I did 20 miles today, have another 20 miles in 2 weeks, then begin to taper.
I follow the Run Less/Run Faster plan, which is 3 intense training runs per week and 2 days of biking. I had to miss one 20 mile run, and took 3 weeks off for only cross training because of fear of a stress fracture if I didn't change up. I worked really hard those 3 weeks, pool running, biking, elliptical and have done well with maintaining my fitness.
I ran a half marathon last week with a friend, she begged me to do it with her, then got sick and wasn't able to do it, I did it anyway. I turned out to be a trail run, which I wasn't aware it was going to be, I hate trail runs. For 5 miles we ran down the middle of railroad tracks, 5 miles were on rough uneven gravel roads, and 3 miles were on paved roads, with one horrific hill. The terrain was tough on me not being used to it.
I felt beat up all last week, finally got into the massage therapist yesterday. Felt pretty good going into today. My 20 miles went well. I felt pretty danged good about it overall. I was training at MP + 20 seconds and finished at MP+12 seconds overall. I worked hard to keep it within pace.
However, my concern, that 20th mile was tough. They have never been tough like that before. I worked hard to keep my paces w/in training of the long slow distance and did pretty well. This was the first time all summer the temps were lower - started in 60's finished in high 70's, several weeks ago I finished at 85 degrees (yuck). But now it has me doubting myself and my training. If mile 20 was that hard today, how am I going to get past that to get 6.2 more miles in. The course is great, those last 6 miles are relatively downhill (mile 25 is slightly up then back down over an overpass on a bridge).
I know I'm just doubting myself and my training, but could really use some words of advice or encouragement.
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Replies
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How intensely were you pushing yourself on the half marathon? I suspect you're probably feeling a little beat up after that. Maybe this is a good time for an easy week?
You mentioned that the temperatures went down, did anything else change (sleep, nutrition etc) . My tri coach is always hammering on the old "trust your training" mantra, one less than optimal run shouldn't be messing with your head.0 -
Thanks Brian thats probably exactly what I needed to hear. I've never really thought of it that way.0
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