First Marathon scheduled for October 2020

2

Replies

  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Knee has not gotten any better and am taking some time off the road. Still a year out from my proposed Marathon but really don't like not running. The only time it doesn't hurt is when I'm running, but afterwards I can tell I'm not doing myself any favors.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,749 Member
    How old are your shoes? When my shoes get worn, I start getting knee pain. That can be from running shoes or my everyday walking around shoes.

    If your knee has been hurting for several weeks and it isn't your shoes, then go to a PT and get some exercises that will help strengthen the muscles that support the knee. Watch out for squats and lunges. If they are done wrong, they will make the knee pain worse.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    So, long story short: I got hurt, I got sick, I got lazy, I got fat, I got disgusted, I got back to work. Starting slowly with rowing and the elliptical, followed by some light lifting. Still time but it's going to be a trial. According to Hal Higdon's Novice Supreme Training program I don't have to get back on the road until 3/22. Prepping for that to happen.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, long story short: I got hurt, I got sick, I got lazy, I got fat, I got disgusted, I got back to work. Starting slowly with rowing and the elliptical, followed by some light lifting. Still time but it's going to be a trial. According to Hal Higdon's Novice Supreme Training program I don't have to get back on the road until 3/22. Prepping for that to happen.

    I wasn't following this before, but so long as you're back at it: I wouldn't wait 3 weeks to start. It's funny how easy it is to fall behind in marathon training.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    edited April 2020
    OK, so the official start date of my 30 week plan to the 10/18/2020 A.C.Marathon was 3/22/20. Started unofficially on 3/9
    with a 7.75 mile week with two days of rowing in the gym (We all remember gyms, right?).
    Then a 10.5 mile week, no gym work, no wonder why, right? 4 days on the road, long run of 3.17
    Then a 12.55 mile week, 4 days with a long of 3.6;
    Then a 11.19 mile week with a long of 3.6;
    Then a 12.30 mile week with a long of 4.0.
    Scheduled for 4 runs a week gradually increase total distance and that long Saturday run. I figure I've started two weeks ahead, am ahead of the program, but not so aggressive that I'm still uninjured.
    If anyone is interested, I'm keeping a more up to date diary on the Long Distance Runners group.

    Registered for the marathon and booked the room for the weekend, paying for both, today.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    First full month is now done. 17 runs, 54 total miles, long run of 5 miles
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    edited May 2020
    Congratulations, this is huge!!! I ran my first Marathon in February and the feeling of crossing that finish line is an unbelievably empowering, proud one! It was one of the proudest, most amazing moments of my life behind having my kids, college graduation, and getting married.

    I don't have a treadmill and haven't been on one in six years but I can't stand them. To me, it's like saying "I'm a rower" and using a rowing machine after picturing that canoe; it really is just not the same experience.

    Lastly, you sound like you have a great plan!!! I don't know you but I'm so happy for you!!! So many of these people here have helped me with great advice. I am running Marathon #2 on September 26th and this time it's a trail run. And yes, I agree with previous poster that you will nail this! Best of luck to you and enjoy it! Last thing, when I went out for my 20 mile training run, I was having second thoughts about even running the Marathon because the 20 mile training run was so difficult for me; I hobbled the last four miles of it. But...on race day the excitement takes over. Training (in my opinion) is so much harder than running the Marathon so if you push through that long training plan (and not too hard), you really will nail this!!!
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    "Training (in my opinion) is so much harder than running the Marathon " This I have experienced first hand. About three years ago i ran a Half Marathon, training on line with a live coach. During training I had to struggle to maintain an 11 minute, or so, mile pace. Came the race and I averaged 10:30. The 10:30 miles felt easier than the training 11 minute miles. \Now I'm just getting my base miles in before I start Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon 18 week Program, around June 14. the race is scheduled for October 18. Thanks for your kind words and support.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    With week 10, and coincidentally the second full month, ends. For the week; 4 runs, 3.1, 3.5, 3.6 & 6 miles for a rounded total of 16.2 miles and 66 miles for the month on 17 runs. Two more weeks of base building before the novice Marathon training begins. Then we hope the 10/18 race goes on as scheduled.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    edited June 2020
    Well week 12, and the base building of my Novice Supreme Marathon Plan is over. For the week (Number 12) 4 runs: 3 miles, 3.2, 3.45 & 6. 15.75 total for the week. Higdon's Novice Marathon Training starts next week, Monday, (today) graduation from base building. Hoping the October race stays on. We now start to seriously increase my weekly long run.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Got word that the Woolworth double I was thinking about doing on Labor Day, September 7, (moved from Memorial Day), has been cancelled. I'm running out of prep races before the October Marathon. If that stays up.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    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.
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    Got word that the Woolworth double I was thinking about doing on Labor Day, September 7, (moved from Memorial Day), has been cancelled. I'm running out of prep races before the October Marathon. If that stays up.

    If you want to run a prep race, fine! But it's definitely not a necessity to define success or failure for your Marathon. I ran a full Marathon having never even seen one in my life, not a half...nothing but a 5k...no prep.races for me. I wasn't going to waste my money for anything less than a Marathon because I wanted it to be my first official race and medal. I ran my first official race on February 16th, a Marathon, without any inkling of what it would even be like...!!! Point is just get out there and train but don't put too much emphasis on a prep race because you can make your own 'prep race.' I am sorry about your back. I hope it feels better very soon.

    I'm running my first trail Marathon on September 26th and I've never run on a trail in my life. Father-in-law has run hundreds of different Marathon and he says I should try trail running before just jumping on one. Hhhhmmmm....maybe, but probably not. Ill train on pavement and show up race day for my trail Marathon. I'll probably fall 50 times and get back up to finish it off. This is my mindset, currently. Crazy, yes!!! I couldn't do it if I wasn't...!!! You can do this, you can do this!!!
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    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
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    As previously reported I hurt my back Wednesday July 1. Since then, for the week ending July 10, I did two runs of 3 (Thursday the 9th) and 6 miles (Saturday). Hoping to get back on track and stay there. Feeling better, though a little sore. Core exercises have been re-introduced.

    Thanks to LoveyChar and heybales for their thoughts. Not really sure why it went out but have reincorporated core and "runners" strength training. Using McMillan for those suggestions. Have neglected those and just running.
  • hist_doc
    hist_doc Posts: 206 Member
    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
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    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.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    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
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    From the Marathon web site: "After significant consideration of the state guidelines, talks with members of our community and city officials, and review of our course, the Atlantic City Marathon Race Series has made the difficult decision to cancel the in - person versions of our races for the remainder of 2020." On to 2021. I have no interest in a virtual race.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    So, news not withstanding, July was a slow month, what with getting hurt, my back, and extreme heat, 9 runs for 40 miles. Now on to increased base building for my first marathon in 2021
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    My Marathon will still be held at the end of September. It's Texas Trail Running Festival Marathon. The same people who are organizing it just held a race two or maybe three weekends ago, so I am pretty sure it won't get cancelled.

    I'm sorry yours was...
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    My Marathon - Texas Trail Running Festival Marathon is still happening this Saturday and I deferred it to June when the next one is set to take place. I'm so disappointed in myself.

    Anyway I wish you luck as I know you will do well. Keep us posted...
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    LoveyChar wrote: »
    My Marathon - Texas Trail Running Festival Marathon is still happening this Saturday and I deferred it to June when the next one is set to take place. I'm so disappointed in myself.

    Anyway I wish you luck as I know you will do well. Keep us posted...

    A Marathon in June in Texas sounds hot. (Not in the Paris Hilton way) Good luck.
  • LoveyChar
    LoveyChar Posts: 4,336 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    LoveyChar wrote: »
    My Marathon - Texas Trail Running Festival Marathon is still happening this Saturday and I deferred it to June when the next one is set to take place. I'm so disappointed in myself.

    Anyway I wish you luck as I know you will do well. Keep us posted...

    A Marathon in June in Texas sounds hot. (Not in the Paris Hilton way) Good luck.

    Oh yes, it will be hot! I ran Austin Marathon in February (16th) on a 72 degree day, no comparison. Hopefully there will be lots of shade... Thank you!
  • hist_doc
    hist_doc Posts: 206 Member
    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.

  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    So, started back up after taking too much time off after the marathon was postponed. Last week was spend on my brothers sail boat sailing the Chesapeake Bay. Yesterday 3.11 miles. I'm now 1.8% into my virtual race from the G.W. Bridge to Cape May NJ, 162 of 170 placement in "Palisades Park". It's a start. Eyes set on the Ridgewood NJ Woolworth Double Memorial Day 2021.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    With October gone, I am 63.61 miles into my 175 mile run (36.3%) from the George Washington Bridge to Cape May. 63 miles for my first month back ain't too shabby. Just about on schedule to make Cape may by Christmas.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    November done and now 140 miles to Cape May (84 of 206, 80% of the way there). 35 miles to go and 25 days to do it. Looking good. Keep on, keeping on.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    edited December 2020
    Finished the 175 miles (Saturday 12/12) two weeks early. yay me. Now to find something else to keep me on the road thought he winter.

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