BuckeyeBama
You are stronger than you think.
- Joined
- May 29, 2013
I've not run Dopey, so can't speak to that part, but I can say I don't have a base of 25 miles/week, more like 15-18. I'm no speed demon to be sure, but that amount of running has allowed me to complete 5 halfs and 4 fulls (including a Goofy Challenge). I think the amount of mileage that someone runs is highly variable depending on the individual's abilities, age, fitness and their goal for the race. If we are talking about building up endurance to be able to sustain Galloway interval running for a half marathon, then 25 miles per week as a base is more than is likely necessary (and for me as a 50-year old woman could be a recipe for injury) if your goal is simply to complete the race and remain injury-free. Now, if you are training for a marathon/Goofy/Dopey event, then the base miles would need to be higher. I also think if you have a time-goal that is important to you, than an increase in miles along with a plan to increase pace is essential as well but that's different than just a plan to increase endurance and finish a half marathon.
And as has been said on this forum many times, "we are all an experiment of one" and what works for me may not work for you.
I agree with all of this, but a 25 miles/week base is the accepted base to minimize injuries when preparing to run a marathon. There is a lot of science behind that number. For those who are likely to become injured running more that 25 miles/week as a base, the marathon should be removed from your race repertoire because the race provides a far greater risk than the base.
And age has little to do with our distance limits. Things like weight and genetics are far greater factors. Age does limit the intensity of our training, but not the distance. But, as you said, we are all an experiment of one.