First Marathon scheduled for October 2020

Ditto's to not needing prep races.
My 1st marathon was after only having done 1/2 marathons on end of Half ironman triathlons.
Few 10-15K's were in the yearly mix for fun.
Probably only 2 months between those events, so a couple recovery weeks after, and a couple taper weeks prior - probably had 1 solid month to get mileage in training up. On a tight schedule.

Since you likely know the glass was merely the "straw", you must have had a good load already building up to hurt your back.

Have you figured out why it was at breaking point already?
Are you doing any stretching/strength routines to keep balanced?
Are you doing a hard load training program, or minimum or slightly above? (I could only do 3 runs a week, I became master at minimum)

I think the major thing a prep race would help with if unfamiliar - is the excitement that can occur causing you to start out too fast at the beginning.
The bane of many new to marathons - starting out too hard for not even that long, using up precious glycogen stores at higher than intended intensity, and hitting that wall later.

I already had GPS usage going on, so confirmed and held to my pace. No wall hit. And no additional carbs eaten.
My only problem was thinking I felt pretty good enough, and sat on someone's floor that afternoon working on their computer, cross-legged, which I can barely do anyway and usually don't. Huge knee pain next day.

pondee629 wrote: »

Updating for the month of June on my way to the Atlantic City marathon in October, 18 runs, 71 total miles, a long run of 7 miles. However, after the last run of the month (4 miles) I strained my back taking a glass out of the dish washer. Kinda sucks getting older. Going to be off the road for several days until the back gets better. Hope it's not too long.

I’m also scheduled to run Atlantic City (postponed from this past spring). Which event are you running? Do you know if they’ll still hold the race? I ask because Broad Street Run (in philly) was just cancelled for October. They moved it to a virtual race.

pondee629 wrote: »

hist_doc wrote: »

pondee629 wrote: »

Updating for the month of June on my way to the Atlantic City marathon in October, 18 runs, 71 total miles, a long run of 7 miles. However, after the last run of the month (4 miles) I strained my back taking a glass out of the dish washer. Kinda sucks getting older. Going to be off the road for several days until the back gets better. Hope it's not too long.

I’m also scheduled to run Atlantic City (postponed from this past spring). Which event are you running? Do you know if they’ll still hold the race? I ask because Broad Street Run (in philly) was just cancelled for October. They moved it to a virtual race.

This one: https://www.acraceseries.com/event-information It's a yearly event in October. I've been told that a decision is pending and that all registrants will be notified via e mail when it is made. I guess no news is good news. The one for which I registered was always scheduled for October. Not sure about the one rescheduled from the spring. Hopefully, if cancelled, I'll be able to move to next year's run. I hate "virtual" races. Just a glorified training run.

I've done many of them, even done some PR's. Depends on how well someone can push themselves without others around.

But generally the support is terrible. Water tables non-existent, start times delayed, no crowds at the end cheering, no traffic control, no massage table or treats laid out.

pondee629 wrote: »

OK, so I need a push to get restarted, Signed up for a virtual race(run). The Routes 1-9 George Washington Bridge to Cape May Ferry, October 1 through December 25, 175 miles total, or about 60 miles a month. Just slacked off since my Marathon was postponed and needed to get going again. Sailing with my brother next week so this all begins on 10/5.

I’m in the Philly area and will virtually train with you if you’d like. All of my races were moved to a virtual platform.