re: Official Running Log/Marathon Training Thread

Running my marathon in 2.5 hours

12th time doing the distance, 6th stand alone. 4th time doing this specific race

19:20 baby, you guys were right, feels good man

Can't help but be a bit disappointed, but this was always going to be the most likely outcome - since I went under 10 hours at Ironman Florida in November and then went 4:42 at Ironman 70.3 in December, I didn't have much time to train - only 7 weeks peaking at 55 miles, compared to last year where I did an 18 week plan peaking at 70 miles. Not only that, but living in Miami makes it very difficult to run miles at or above marathon pace since its always hot and humid, so getting in quality miles was also difficult.

I didn't really come in with any goals or pacing plan, just play it by ear. I did 2:59 on this course last year in horrible weather, and with perfect weather this year I felt maybe I could PR.

The course has 3 parts, Miles 1-9 which are mostly flat and downhill, then the hills from Miles 10-18 and then downhill Miles 19-25 before an uphill finish. I was ahead of where I was last year after the first 9 miles, but fell behind on the hills (another downside of Miami, its flat so getting elevation is tough). I felt maybe I could salvage my race at Mile 19 when the downhills start again, which is where I was able to put together the miles I needed a year ago to go under 3 hours, but it didn't happen this year - my legs just weren't strong enough this time. I actually slowed down in the downhill section in Miles 19-25 where last year I sped up. A strong marathon is all about strong legs and that's where my short 7 week 55 miles per week build left me out to dry, where the 18 week 70 miles per week build last year gave me the leg strength I needed.

That 2:59 last year came at a cost, where I went into Ironman Texas woefully unprepared for the bike because I cut out biking to achieve those 70 mile weeks. This year I made sure to still get my biking and swimming in(which is why I did 55 mile weeks instead of 70+). Hopefully the trade off will be a much better showing at Ironman Texas. And since I didn't kill myself today, I'll be able to jump into IMTX training sooner rather than later.

Today was my 2nd run with Alphafly 3s and they just aren't for me. Just don't think they work well with my stride and foot strike pattern. As soon as I was able to today I ordered a pair of Metaspeed Sky Paris's which I will wear for the rest of my races this year and relegate the Alphaflys to tempo workouts.

One last thing, my Garmin HRM data was wrong. No way I averaged a 143 heart rate. I ordered a new strap because my last one was reading low, the new one is doing the same thing. Gonna have to call Garmin to find out why, but I think it has to do with cold weather interference.

Yes it was, was worried early in the week cold would be an issue but it ended up perfect.

I will say though, while thrilled with the time I was still slightly annoyed. Apparently I got second in my age group by like 6 seconds though I have no recollection of anyone being remotely close to in front of me for the last mile or so. Maybe I was just too locked in to my own pacing but seems crazy I could be that oblivious. I also had some in the tank because after going through the 2 mile mark at 12:00 and feeling really good I knew the only thing that could screw it up at that point was a full body crash out so I kind of coasted in the last mile. Oh well, goal met and that was the main thing.

I think they picked out every hill possible in auburn to run up. Alcohol thing is a city issue I’m pretty sure, not sure race could do anything about it. Still cool to finish on the 50 in JHS.

Thinking about jumping into the Chicago 50k with no training. I ran three half-marathons last year but outside of that I don’t run longer than an hour once a week.

Probably a terrible idea.

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19:20 baby, you guys were right, feels good man

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heck yea!

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So where I'm at now is either take a long break from running or continue here and possibly try a marathon.

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That's the continuous devil on one shoulder and angel on the other. If you want to keep running, I really don't recommend taking a long break with no mileage. At least keep some kind of baseline maintenance mileage because it sucks trying to rebuild after you give it up completely.

Of course I'd just sign up for another race

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Having been training pretty decent for about 6 months for a 5k with prob 5 or 6 recent weeks in the low 30s miles wise how long and how much training would i need to get through a marathon? Longest run i did leading up was 11 miles.

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You could probably do a 16 week block and be fine. I've never done a marathon but I can tell you most plans have the longest run somewhere between 18 (Hansons maybe?) and 22 miles. I can tell you that a sub 4 marathon is going to be a piece of cake compared to a 19:20 5k. VDOT gives the equivalent as a 3:05 so a sub 4 would just be a matter of getting your mileage up

Looking at some upcoming marathons, is 1260 elevation considered hilly over 26 miles?