Weekly Mileage

[rosy1020]

Ok, ok, I know it's probably too late now but I'm just curious what everyone's weekly mileage totals are looking like these days. I'm doing well with my long runs but up until these last few weeks I haven't been as consistent with my weekday shorter runs as I would have liked. Right now I'm trying to keep weekly mileage between 30-35 miles. I'm wondering if that isn't enough though? Any experts wanna weigh in?

Thanks,
Kristin

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I think your weekly mileage is fine if you are up to that. I think you have a faster pace going so you should be strong.

I've never done that much as weekly numbers and I've made it. A lot slower than you, but I've made it.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Your weekly mileage is great. No worries for you!

I know some of the books and marathon plans show people doing averages in the 40's but I think those are really hardcore serious competitors.

My mileages waffle between 30 and 50 this year. So it looks like this: 30-40-36-44-30-48. Next week is my highest week in the program with a whopping 50 miles scheduled. We will see if I actually get all those miles in. Then a three week taper with mileages from the low 30s to mid 20s.

However, I am training for Goofy. Most of the "normal" people training with me stay in the 30s the whole time except for next week which is 42.

Thats probably way more information than you wanted but I hope it makes you feel better. You are right where you should be.

Cecilia

 

[gatorphipps]

Are you doing Goofy or the marathon?
For the marathon, you are fine in weekly mileage. I personally do around 30-35 run...but I also bike and dance.
If you are doing Goofy with double LRs, then your milage may be higher.
IMHO you risk injury if you go higher. There is just no need for it. It wears your body out...now maybe if you were trying to win the thing.....

 

[AmyBeth68]

Great question . Your mileage is fantastic. I think you have nothing at all to worry about!

My mileage isn't as high as others'. My body can't really handle the excessive pounding so I have to supplement with a ton of XT. I'm training for goofy (makes sense right ). I'm doing a double weekend LR...half distance sat/then LR sunday. I didn't come into marathon training with the base I should have due to my long recovery from the injury I had last year during marathon training. So i'm being very conservative with my training...with the ultimate goal of showing up healthy and dealing with the tired legs during the race .

Here's what it should have looked like if I stuck totally to the plan my running partner and I developed. Every other week was pull back so I could allow my muscles to heal and prevent injury. Unfortunately I got sick one weekend and the weather here has been brutal so on some weeks I didn't actually hit the totals..."best laid plans" as they say! This is close to accurate...I didn't go back and actually add up the miles. Also..keep in mind that my sat half distance is actually a fast walk/run...I plan to just totally take it easy for the half . Aiming for a slow and easy half and hopefully a decent full of under 5 hours (goal is 4:30).

25/20/28/20/31/20/34/20/37/let the taper begin

I'm on the fence about the 9/18 weekend. Not sure I should risk injury and do the b2b that weekend. Yes...I know this looks like light mileage. Check back with me after the Goofy and I'll let you know if this was a critical error or a smart move . I do two additional days of cardio (biking, elliptical, ski machine) and 6 days per week of Pilates. Why am I feeling TERRIFIED!

 

[scoolover]

If it makes you feel better, I have run 4 times this month and am doing the Goofy. My long run is 18 miles and my longest back to back is 6.55 and 13.1. If we were to compare, you are in great shape.

 

[ScoJo15]

I'm the furthest thing from an expert, but my personal experiences have left me with the philosophy that if you can run a 14 mile long run...you can do a marathon (or Goofy for that matter). Unless, of course, you are trying to qualify for Boston or finish with a first digit less than 4. I personally run my LR's around the 9 mpm mark and will be running with Amy...taking it easy during the half and shooting for a nice finish in the 4's for the full.

This has led me to structure the training this year with the idea that it's better to be a little conservative with the miles, totally avoid injury and show up at the race with very fresh legs. 26 or 13+26 is going to feel like doo doo afterwards anyway, regardless if you run 50 miles a week or 25.

I'm sure there are a bunch of people who would disagree with me...but hopefully I'll come back after Goofy with a very positive report, after running a very enjoyable half and full (and not have pushed myself to the limit in the three months prior).

Sooo....long story short....i think you are totally fine with your mileage and you'll have a very successful run!! Good luck!!

 

[drdelsol]

Another if it makes you feel better...Last 2 months with everything going on family wise I'm happy if I can get in 15 miles/ week total. This week so far -0.

 

[rosy1020]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your posts! This being my first full, I just wanted to get an idea of what is realistic. I guess I'm prepared pretty well physically but now I'm starting to have that mental game going on where I'm questioning just how well I can do. Of course my #1 goal is finish but I'm competitive by nature and so I secretly have some time goals that I'd like to see myself get to. Scott and Amy, I'm hoping to be in the 4s with you all. Under 5 is my goal but my secret goal I'm pushing for is 4:30 so maybe I'll be seeing you en route I have done an 18 mile LR and a 19 mile LR so far and felt pretty good on both of them. Injury wise I'm doing great so far. I'm always in a little discomfort the evening after the runs but it's always gone by the next morning. My only source of concern, like I said earlier, is that I haven't stuck to meeting my weekday short run goals. I haven't done much speed or tempo work at all...just tried to get the miles in when I could. Hopefully this won't come back to hurt me but I'm just telling myself I'm doing ok for my first one and if I get through this (make that WHEN I get through this) then if I want to do another I'll start focusing on my pace and things like that.
Thanks for the awesome advice and encouragement! Can't wait to get back to the USA and I'll see you all at WDW in just a few weeks!
Kristin

 

[skfulkers]

Kristin--I think you'll be fine. My training for Disney is peaking at 33 miles per week (next week). I've only been running three days a week since returning from a knee injury, so I've been cross training and lifting a lot, too. I actually feel stronger for this marathon than any of the others.

Don't worry about the speed and tempo work. I worried about this before my first one, too, since I did most of my runs at the exact same pace throughout each week. I was just fine. The LR really is one of the biggest things that can make or break your marathon experience. It looks like you've gotten in the miles, you won't have anything to worry about.

One other thing--don't beat yourself up too much over the time goal thing. It's amazing how you can run every LR at the same pace and marathon day can be completely different. For my first, I trained for four months at one pace and on marathon day, I ended up running the marathon 20 minutes slower than I anticipated. The crowds, the extra 6 miles, weather conditions--everything can change what you're used to in training runs. Just make sure to enjoy the race and don't watch that clock too closely.

I know you probably realize all of that, but just thought I'd add two cents from my past experience. Good luck with your last few weeks of training!

Steve