Marathon Weekend 2016

[Ariel484]

I'm usually 4 hours for the 20 miler--and I need it. Honestly, especially for slower paced people like myself, it's good to have that time when you want to quit and pack it in but you learn to fight it on the long run. So aside from just "time on my feet" it's time fighting with my brain if that makes sense. Knowing "I don't want to but I still can" is a nice boost come race day.

Same here. My 20-miler last year ended up being just about 4 hours.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

I'm on the Hanson plan that tops out at 16 miles (about 3 hours). I was on the same plan last year and PRed by 28 minutes. (Just so you don't get the wrong impression, I'm still about an hour off BQ.)

 

[DopeyBadger]

Another Wine and Diner just back here. I was planning on that being a long run weekend, but obviously that was a bust. So I felt I had to redeem myself, and get going with training for this full, so yesterday I did my longest run to date, 16 miles! I'm sort of blown away that I actually did that, but also blown away that I have to do another 10 on top of that.

For those of you who have trained for a full before, what was your longest run before the actual marathon?

The key is that you don't want to exceed more than 3 hours of running (during training) - in general. I realize for some slower paces you might have to. I've just read that going past the 3 hour mark can result in your body being more susceptible to injury so it is not recommended - and you don't necessarily gain anything physiologically going that long (other than time on your feet). Again, this is probably a little different if you have a slower pace, so others can chime in with more expert advice. good luck.

I'm usually 4 hours for the 20 miler--and I need it. Honestly, especially for slower paced people like myself, it's good to have that time when you want to quit and pack it in but you learn to fight it on the long run. So aside from just "time on my feet" it's time fighting with my brain if that makes sense. Knowing "I don't want to but I still can" is a nice boost come race day.

Essentially, @CamColt this is what it comes down to. The debate as to whether it is better to teach the body/mind to be able to run for 4-7 hours, or whether training for a longest period of 3 hours is physiologically sufficient. My advice comes from the physiologic standpoint, as little seems to be gained physically from doing exercise longer than 3 hours and the risk of injury rises dramatically. However, I do understand the counter (mental boost and time on your feet).

I personally feel this mental edge could be accomplished by doing more Saturday/Sunday runs if you have the time for it. If you decide to max at 3 hours on Sunday, then you could do a max training run of 1.5 hours on Saturday to reduce the freshness you are coming into Sunday's run with. This means you'll hit the same level of tiredness as the fresh Sunday, just sooner, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary out on the road the 2nd day. However, there is a HUGE caveat with this information. A training plan should be viewed like a symphony. Rather than solely focusing on the brass or woodwinds, we need to remember how all the instruments come together to create the beautiful music we desire. Be careful using what I say and focus on the 1.5 hour Saturday run and 3 hour Sunday run, but forgetting the importance of the rest of the week.

For me, I've maxed at the following...

1st Marathon - 20 miles x1 (3:34) (max per week 26 miles) - Time 4:50
2nd Marathon - 20 miles x2 (3:03, 3:07) (max per week 48 miles, Dopey training) - Time 4:35
3rd Marathon - 20 miles x4 (2:50-3:24) (max per week 31 miles) - Time 4:20
4th Marathon - 17 miles x1 (2:46) (max per week 42 miles, Dopey training) - Time 4:27
5th Marathon - 20 miles x2 (3:14) (max per week 43 miles) - Time 4:58
6th Marathon - 16 miles x3 (2:28) (max per week 60 miles) - Time 3:38

My 6th marathon was BY FAR the best experience I have ever had running a race. Never felt overly tired and finished very easily.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Just finished my La Porte Bridge Series Half Marathon (Texas) in 1:49:55 (PR)...finally under 1:50! And this was a tough run with the 2nd highest (i think) bridge in Texas...it was uphill for like 1.5 miles - both ways, in the snow, with a headwind, alligators on both sides and ill tempered pelicans!

View attachment 135360

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[SarahDisney]

I know it's a little soon, but since the Avengers Half Marathon is technically over ...
WE'RE NEXT!!

 

[margitmouse]

The key is that you don't want to exceed more than 3 hours of running (during training) - in general. I realize for some slower paces you might have to. I've just read that going past the 3 hour mark can result in your body being more susceptible to injury so it is not recommended - and you don't necessarily gain anything physiologically going that long (other than time on your feet). Again, this is probably a little different if you have a slower pace, so others can chime in with more expert advice. good luck.

Is this even for run/walkers? Even at my best predicted time I'm at a 5.5 hour marathon.... So not clear how this ( max 3 hour training) translates to preparing me or others like me for the marathon itself. Pardon my ignorance!

Sorry- wrote this then saw some of the other responses, but I'm going to leave my question because I'm curious how this is handled by slower runners! Thanks!

 

[DopeyBadger]

I know it's a little soon, but since the Avengers Half Marathon is technically over ...
WE'RE NEXT!!

WaHoo! This is the exciting time as corrals come out, merchandise is released, and the course is finalized!

 

[Z-Knight]

Is this even for run/walkers? Even at my best predicted time I'm at a 5.5 hour marathon.... So not clear how this ( max 3 hour training) translates to preparing me or others like me for the marathon itself. Pardon my ignorance!

I don't know how that applies to run/walkers - I think @DopeyBadger above seemed to imply that it might be for all as well. Obviously if you plan on 5.5 hours then only doing 3 might not be enough - even from a mental standpoint you probably won't be satisfied with your "long" run, and may have doubts later. I think though, that after 3 hours it just becomes a metal boost at best, and the physiologic effect is minimal. As long as you are keenly aware of your body after that point, then you are probably safe to continue a little longer. It seems like the 20 mile (average) max run people seem to do for marathon training equates to about 75% of the total distance. So if you maxed out your run at around 4 hours you would probably be on par for the 5:5 hour goal.

I'm not a doctor or a running expert, but I play one on the internet. (I've not run a marathon yet).

 

[JClimacus]

I just finished my last race before Goofy - a half marathon in Newburyport, MA. Strained my calf at mile 8 - I don't think it is too bad but it caused me to run with a hitch - and missed my sub 1:40 goal by 2 secs: 1:40:01. Ouch! But I did PR by 4+ minutes. Hopefully I'll only have to be off it for a couple of days. Next stop Goofy!

 

[SunDial]

Just finished my La Porte Bridge Series Half Marathon (Texas) in 1:49:55 (PR)...finally under 1:50! And this was a tough run with the 2nd highest (i think) bridge in Texas...it was uphill for like 1.5 miles - both ways, in the snow, with a headwind, alligators on both sides and ill tempered pelicans!

View attachment 135360

Man that is a bridge. Congrats on beating that bridge.

 

[margitmouse]

I'm not a doctor or a running expert, but I play one on the internet. (I've not run a marathon yet).

Thanks for the eloquent and humorous response!!!

 

[derekleigh]

I know it's a little soon, but since the Avengers Half Marathon is technically over ...
WE'RE NEXT!!

As you said, Avengers weekend is over! Never too soon!

 

[Berniemgr]

Put in 23 miles yesterday - on the treadmill no less. It was a crazy busy weekend, so only time to run was 4 am. I had no intent to run in the dark at that hour. Yeah, it's a girl thing.

Our local weather guy has been working on a 12 week long range forecast theory. It's still not peer reviewed and passed all scientific tests, but it's gaining traction due to its accuracy. Currently calling for mild temps the week of Jan 3 with chance of midweek rain and cooler temps to close the week. Highs in low 70s and lows in low 50s. Www.weather2020.com

 

[DopeyBadger]

I just finished my last race before Goofy - a half marathon in Newburyport, MA. Strained my calf at mile 8 - I don't think it is too bad but it caused me to run with a hitch - and missed my sub 1:40 goal by 2 secs: 1:40:01. Ouch! But I did PR by 4+ minutes. Hopefully I'll only have to be off it for a couple of days. Next stop Goofy!

Way to go! Great improvement!

 

[SarahDisney]

Awesome job on the PR, @JClimacus ! It may not have been exactly what you wanted, but you came pretty darn close (and if you think about it, unless you ran the tangents perfectly, you probably did run 13.1 miles in under 1:40)!
I hope your calf is back to 100% soon.

 

[Waiting2goback]

My plan is to head out for 90 minutes tomorrow (hoping for 7.5-8 miles, but the time is the big goal for tomorrow) and I am not excited. Weather forecast is for 40 degrees when I'm planning to leave the house. I'm just not in the mood for that cold. I've got my clothing all picked out, but most of my running clothing is in the laundry, so I'm mixing pieces that usually don't usually get mixed. Hopefully that won't cause any problems (I'm normally very specific about which base layers or tanks go under which shirts, but most of my base layers are in the wash and I'm left with one that I don't wear quite as often).

I'm hoping I wake up feeling a little more excited about the run.

I am having the same problem, I think. I have completely lost my motivation. Some days are better than others but for the most part I just don't feel like getting out there. I am pretty sure it is because it is getting dark at 4:30 so by the time I can get in my run at 8pm, it feels like midnight because it has been dark for so long by that point.

It hasn't been that cold yet. I am still running in shorts so that part is good. I am just so screwed because since I started back running about a month ago I am only up to 7 miles for a long run. I am still pretty much pain-free so that is good as well. Although I did go on the treadmill tonight and my right shin hurt. I am beginning to think the pain I was having a few weeks back was because of the treadmill. My goal for mileage this week is 30 so we'll see what happens.

Sorry for venting. I just see you guys talking about your long runs of 14+ miles and I am 1/2 that so I am so behind. It is stressing me out.

 

[Pleglech]

Looks like some good racing this weekend. Congrats all.

Regarding long run time, I was just having this discussion in a different group ... consensus seems to be that for the run/walk crowd, the approach is more like ultra training. That three-hour mark doesn't necessarily apply there (and IIRC, Galloway has you going a good amount of time beyond that). In any case, there are a lot of ways to go about this. But accumulated fatigue is real, and it's a powerful stimulus. So I'm generally of DopeyBadger's thinking ... go into your long run fatigued (but not to the point of injury), and there's no reason to worry about putting in 4-5-6 hour training runs.

 

[StarGirl11]

I am having the same problem, I think. I have completely lost my motivation. Some days are better than others but for the most part I just don't feel like getting out there. I am pretty sure it is because it is getting dark at 4:30 so by the time I can get in my run at 8pm, it feels like midnight because it has been dark for so long by that point.

It hasn't been that cold yet. I am still running in shorts so that part is good. I am just so screwed because since I started back running about a month ago I am only up to 7 miles for a long run. I am still pretty much pain-free so that is good as well. Although I did go on the treadmill tonight and my right shin hurt. I am beginning to think the pain I was having a few weeks back was because of the treadmill. My goal for mileage this week is 30 so we'll see what happens.

Sorry for venting. I just see you guys talking about your long runs of 14+ miles and I am 1/2 that so I am so behind. It is stressing me out.

If it helps my trainer didn't start revving up my miles for WDW last year (and usually doesn't really in general) until December. I don't think I saw a run on the other side of 10 until the first week of December (a 12 miler actually). And then it increased by two until right after Christmas topping out at 18. After that tapering started.

Late evening runs are hard (I run around that time somedays because of classes). Anyways just remember all these nights are for something.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Just finished my La Porte Bridge Series Half Marathon (Texas) in 1:49:55 (PR)...finally under 1:50! And this was a tough run with the 2nd highest (i think) bridge in Texas...it was uphill for like 1.5 miles - both ways, in the snow, with a headwind, alligators on both sides and ill tempered pelicans!

View attachment 135360

Congrats! That is awesome, and with snow and alligators! Seriously though, sub 1:50 is a great milestone.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I just finished my last race before Goofy - a half marathon in Newburyport, MA. Strained my calf at mile 8 - I don't think it is too bad but it caused me to run with a hitch - and missed my sub 1:40 goal by 2 secs: 1:40:01. Ouch! But I did PR by 4+ minutes. Hopefully I'll only have to be off it for a couple of days. Next stop Goofy!

Sorry to hear about the calf, but congrats on the PR!