re: Official Running Log/Marathon Training Thread

OK.


Shin splint pain isn't as bothersome as it was. Shortening the stride and increasing my cadence helped tremendously. Spoke with a running coach who is also a PT last night. He said everything looks good as far as my form, arches, shoes, etc, etc.

I ran 2.5 miles Monday and 2.75 yesterday. My 5K is this Saturday. Need a game plan. I plan on resting from now until Saturday with no further training. The race is at 8AM CST and registration starts at 7AM. I plan on getting there early as I have never done this before and need to get oriented. What do I eat the night before? I assume not to eat anything that morning? What about hydrating before, during, and after? What about prepping right before the race (walk some, sprint some)?

This is a road course and it's relatively flat for Birmingham, Al. My training course is similar with 120ft of elevation gain. I've been averaging 9:30 for the first mile and 10+ for the subsequent miles. Honestly, at 45 and never having run before ever, I'll be happy to finish alive and not last......

Oddly, my left foot has gone to sleep the last two times out at 2+ miles. I changed the lacing on that shoe and it helped a bit. Plan on changing it again (skipping more eyes) and seeing if that helps.

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What do I eat the night before? I assume not to eat anything that morning? What about hydrating before, during, and after? What about prepping right before the race (walk some, sprint some)?

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I think if you want to carb up, general start two nights before the race. That said, I don’t think carbing up for a 5k is necessary. Eat whatever you want, maybe just keep it light and something that won’t upset your stomach. Pre-race meal is totally dependent on your personal preference. If you can eat before, then eat...just nothing heavy. Some people prefer running fasted, if that’s you then do that. I wouldn’t make any changes to normal routine for the sake of race day (for an new runner’s 5k, obviously higher level runners have set pre-race routines). Consistency is your friend. I think generally you want to start hydrating two days out. Personally, I drink at least 4 32oz bottles of water every day...so hydration is usually a non factor for me. Pre-race, do some walking or light jogging and dynamic stretching...maybe throw in some high knees, butt kicks, glute activation exercises. Personally I just walk at an increased pace before a race, but that’s bc the races I’ve done are in Nola and I had parked about a 15/20 minute walk away from the start area.

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This is a road course and it's relatively flat for Birmingham, Al. My training course is similar with 120ft of elevation gain. I've been averaging 9:30 for the first mile and 10+ for the subsequent miles. Honestly, at 45 and never having run before ever, I'll be happy to finish alive and not last......

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Typically a negative split is “best”, but do whatever you’re comfortable doing. That’s the best advice. You’ll find the adrenaline of race day and getting past people kick in and you’ll likely finish faster than you though you would.

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Oddly, my left foot has gone to sleep the last two times out at 2+ miles. I changed the lacing on that shoe and it helped a bit. Plan on changing it again (skipping more eyes) and seeing if that helps.

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Probably need to loosen the laces. Tight enough to lock the heel down, loose enough to not cut off circulation to your toes.

I’m a complete amateur with very little experience, but everything I’ve told you is from reading countless articles and forum discussion on the r/running subreddit. Good luck with the race!

did my Adidas Bostons tonight for my intervals. fricking awesome. thanks, BRM

Did my first ever 10k today. Finished at 48 minutes, which I'm perfectly happy with.

Good job buddy! Gotta love that race day endorphin rush! Now enjoy yourself (and get your long run in tomorrow, haha)

Next 5K is late October. Need some ideas on training going forward and working to improve my time. I was thinking of starting the C2 10K program which is 6 weeks long.


ETA: Got the official results. Just under 28 mins on the chip timer! I was secretly hoping I could get to 27 mins. 12th in my age group and 63rd overall. Totally pumped.

Got the 5k intermediate plan and the app. I’ve been using Map My Run, but it looks like that doesn’t integrate with the app. Is there another recommendation?

Ran a 10k with my wife yesterday.

Stuck with her on this one, shes coming off of a DNF at the Lake Degray Olympic Triathlon and running is her arch nemesis in the swim/bike/run so I wanted to make sure she stayed on track and hit her goal of less than 1hr10min.

We did it in 1:02, she got first in her age group which was a huge confidence boost for her. It got me last in my age group , but that wasnt what I was after on this one.

Next up will be the Logjammer half marathon on December 8.

I had no desire to run 13.1 miles after yesterday, but the more I do the long-ish distances, the further I want to go.

Speaking of, what's your Marathon plan top out at as far as long run and how many weeks before your race is this? I'm weighing options for doing the La Marathon in January once my goal HM is complete at the end of next month.

I'll hit three hours to three hours and thirty minutes 4 times with the last one three weeks out. So however far I get on those. There's potential to run farther than a marathon on each. That being said, the important long runs for me are the strength building long runs like I did today.

@ AS96 Good to hear. Sometimes you'll get these folk that think you should be doing 180 SPM on 10 min. per mile training runs regardless of gait or speed. That is bad advice. Glad to have you in the thread.