Marathon Training Thread

[lambdacoug]

I saw your half is listed in this month's Runner's World as one of the top halfs -- but it appears to not be the flattest one around. Good luck training and enjoy it.

Yeah, it isn't called the hospital hill half for nothing. Running in all these 5k and 10k races has been a great way to get to know the city. This one will be a nice tour of downtown, the Plaza, Crown Center and the WWI memorial. Lots and lots of hills...

Sent from a Jelly Bean

[The_Douger]

Signed up today for the Thanksgiving Point Half at the end of April. Hoping to get between 2 and 2:15

[Parrot Head]

The Holiday Challenge really has me wanting to do a marathon this year. The hard part is finding one around here that works. The Seattle marathon is the same weekend as Thanksgiving, which is just really crappy timing (both for the weather around here and the fact that it's Thanksgiving). Portland is early October, which is not as bad, except there's no way I could be ready for that one given my work schedule. My best shot is Vancouver, which falling in mid-May is a pretty ideal weather/work schedule for me, but I just checked it out and the damn thing is $150. I'm not sure I can pay $150 to just go run around.

What about going down the road a little for the marathon in Track Town, USA. You might even be able to use the famed HFN in-home urinal.

After taking Nov. and Dec. off to give my leg time to rest/heal, I'm back at it. This week I'll start my training for the 1/2 in June. I'm not starting on anything structured right now. I'm focusing on starting slow. I've run 4 miles each of the past two weeks, and I'm going to bump that up to 6 this week. I just want to get to the point that I can start a bona fide training program by March 1, so I have 12 weeks to do the program. I'm looking to start with Hal Higdon Novice 1 which starts out at 12 miles in week one.

I saw your half is listed in this month's Runner's World as one of the top halfs -- but it appears to not be the flattest one around. Good luck training and enjoy it.

Btw, the Newport Marathon looks awesome. Is that race-week niku leading the way and did they Photoshop #563 into the pic with his early 90s tee and cargo shorts? And check out 800 on the left side -- I think she came over from a taping of Wipe Out because she forgot to remove her helmet.

[MarkGrace]

This is what I have:



About due for a new pair though.

[MarkGrace]

What about Newport, OR? A bit of a longer drive for you, but still manageable. June 1st, which is a great time to race in Oregon. And it's pancake flat.

Steelblue has been looking to do this one for years. If I were to do a summer marathon this is the one I would do. Its just not a great time of year for me.

Hmm.

The mrs. would prefer Vancouver, as there's a lot more to do. Just so spendy to go run around!

[OhioBlue]

My last two pair of regular-use shoes have been Mizuno Wave Inspires (the 8 and 9). I know shoes are a personal fit thing, but I don't know that there's a better combination of support, not too much cushioning (who likes running on pillows?) but enough, and good weight for its class.

[lambdacoug]

After taking Nov. and Dec. off to give my leg time to rest/heal, I'm back at it. This week I'll start my training for the 1/2 in June. I'm not starting on anything structured right now. I'm focusing on starting slow. I've run 4 miles each of the past two weeks, and I'm going to bump that up to 6 this week. I just want to get to the point that I can start a bona fide training program by March 1, so I have 12 weeks to do the program. I'm looking to start with Hal Higdon Novice 1 which starts out at 12 miles in week one.

[Pheidippides]

I checked out RoadRunner and the Rider 16 is what I wore when the rep didn't have the Inspire 9s on him. I liked those and would be tempted to go with them but I'd like to take the slightly more supportive Inspires for a spin.

Do you have the Duck-flavored Precision? I like the look of these!

Nope, I have these:

[Parrot Head]

I've been mostly in the Wave Rider 16, which I love, Love, LOVE for long distance hauls (I'll be running the Marathon part of the Disney in them). I was using some Saucony Ride 5s but hated them (I liked the original Ride and ran my second marathon in them, but have had nothing but problems with the 5s). Of the 220 miles I did in the challenge, I did probably 2/3rds in my Wave Riders.

I just bought a pair of Precision 13s (I can't find them on the website) which are what I'll use in the half marathon portion and for the Ironman in May.

When I'm truly racing I will use the Kinvara 3s for up to a marathon (that's what I ran St. George in) but with the increased mileage I felt I needed a bit more cushioning and support. I have not been sorry about that choice.

EDIT: The difference between what I'm running in and what MG is running in is that some of the overlays were removed and it's a bit lighter (I think my size 12s come in at about 10 oz, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I used to think that Mizuno was kinda gimmicky with their wave deal but I'm a big fan now.

I checked out RoadRunner and the Rider 16 is what I wore when the rep didn't have the Inspire 9s on him. I liked those and would be tempted to go with them but I'd like to take the slightly more supportive Inspires for a spin.

Do you have the Duck-flavored Precision? I like the look of these!

[Pheidippides]

Nice job on the run, Mol. If it made niku back off some, then big props to you for getting out on the road.

Also, niku, did you say you're wearing Mizunos now? Which model? Our local rep was supposed to bring some new Inspires to a group run recently but they didn't arrive in time so I tried out another pair. I want to give the Inspires a good test run to see if they would fit well for training, but I've tried the Elixir on a quick test and liked those also. Being cheap, though, I'm not quick to drop a lot of money on a new shoe when I know my Asics treat me well.

I've been mostly in the Wave Rider 16, which I love, Love, LOVE for long distance hauls (I'll be running the Marathon part of the Disney in them). I was using some Saucony Ride 5s but hated them (I liked the original Ride and ran my second marathon in them, but have had nothing but problems with the 5s). Of the 220 miles I did in the challenge, I did probably 2/3rds in my Wave Riders.

I just bought a pair of Precision 13s (I can't find them on the website) which are what I'll use in the half marathon portion and for the Ironman in May.

When I'm truly racing I will use the Kinvara 3s for up to a marathon (that's what I ran St. George in) but with the increased mileage I felt I needed a bit more cushioning and support. I have not been sorry about that choice.

EDIT: The difference between what I'm running in and what MG is running in is that some of the overlays were removed and it's a bit lighter (I think my size 12s come in at about 10 oz, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I used to think that Mizuno was kinda gimmicky with their wave deal but I'm a big fan now.

[MarkGrace]

Nice job on the run, Mol. If it made niku back off some, then big props to you for getting out on the road.

Also, niku, did you say you're wearing Mizunos now? Which model? Our local rep was supposed to bring some new Inspires to a group run recently but they didn't arrive in time so I tried out another pair. I want to give the Inspires a good test run to see if they would fit well for training, but I've tried the Elixir on a quick test and liked those also. Being cheap, though, I'm not quick to drop a lot of money on a new shoe when I know my Asics treat me well.

That's what I've been using for the last few months. Mine are a neutral shoe called Wave Rider 15. Love 'em.

[Parrot Head]

Nice job on the run, Mol. If it made niku back off some, then big props to you for getting out on the road.

Also, niku, did you say you're wearing Mizunos now? Which model? Our local rep was supposed to bring some new Inspires to a group run recently but they didn't arrive in time so I tried out another pair. I want to give the Inspires a good test run to see if they would fit well for training, but I've tried the Elixir on a quick test and liked those also. Being cheap, though, I'm not quick to drop a lot of money on a new shoe when I know my Asics treat me well.

[Pheidippides]

Thx man. I did my 16 miler this morning. It was 45 degrees and raining (sometimes a downpour). It was miserable weather and at the end of the run I was cold and wet, but my shins were doing fine. My legs were pretty much shot but I know the shin bone wasn't hurting.

I think the shin issues I was having the past week might have been due to some work I did in the backyard, coupled with the running miles I'm putting in. I patched up my fence and spent 3-4 hours bending over/squatting and then did a 11 mile run. Probably not the best thing to do and it might have just exhausted the muscles. In any case, I think I'm good for now. I'm taking it a bit lighter the next two weeks (skipping a couple shorter runs) because work is not allowing me to get out much, which might be good as well.

I suspect you're right. I had a miserable run on the 2nd after playing basketball on the first (stupid, I know). I just don't do anything other than running/cycling/swimming when I'm in major endurance mode.

Today was miserable for running.

[Moliere]

Good luck, Moliere. You've had your share of shin stuff, and in my own (more moderate) way, I can relate. I'm really rooting for you to get to this marathon healthy and ready to go!

Thx man. I did my 16 miler this morning. It was 45 degrees and raining (sometimes a downpour). It was miserable weather and at the end of the run I was cold and wet, but my shins were doing fine. My legs were pretty much shot but I know the shin bone wasn't hurting.

I think the shin issues I was having the past week might have been due to some work I did in the backyard, coupled with the running miles I'm putting in. I patched up my fence and spent 3-4 hours bending over/squatting and then did a 11 mile run. Probably not the best thing to do and it might have just exhausted the muscles. In any case, I think I'm good for now. I'm taking it a bit lighter the next two weeks (skipping a couple shorter runs) because work is not allowing me to get out much, which might be good as well.

[OhioBlue]

I read an interesting bit in Runner's World that said a lot of shin issues are due to core weakness, as such weakness leads to instability and undue stress in the legs. That resonated with me because historically I paid little attention to my core, other than the occasional set of crunches or situps. Now, I devote a fair amount of time to building up the core (planks, back lifts, various torso twists, etc.). It's made a big difference in stamina on my bike and, I think, with running as well.

From my reading, this definitely comes up quite a bit when shin pain, particularly medial shin pain, is the topic. There's so much research out there on different causes of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome and tibial stress reactions/fractures that it's probably best not to presume that core weakness is a sole or even primary causal factor. However, since everything is connected, and since a lot of current understanding points to rotation and torsion of the tibia (as well as related bending moments) as key culprits in medial shin pain, and since that kind of rotation is at least moderated by muscles in the glutes and hips/core area...it follows that strengthening these is at least worth a try and likely to make someone a stronger runner if nothing else. Best case is that stronger core/hip muscles and gluteal stabilizers keeps an otherwise potentially injurious chain of movements and forces from happening, and voila: Happy runner.

Here are some snippets from an abstract of a recent article examining 'proximal influences' on medial shin pain (MSP): "This case-control study investigated fourteen runners aged 18–40 years old with a history of unilateral MSP and fourteen runner controls. Three dimensional lower quarter kinematics were captured as runners ran on a treadmill. Specifically, peak hip internal rotation (IR), frontal plane pelvic tilt (PT) excursion, and knee flexion were examined... Groups were similar in age, mass, height, and training mileage. Subjects with a history of MSP demonstrated significantly greater frontal plane PT (P = 0.002, Effect size = 0.55) and peak hip IR (P = 0.004, Effect size = 0.51); and less knee flexion (P = 0.02, Effect size = 0.46) than the control group."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3414067/

If you're not already doing them, I might recommend at least trying some core stuff, some lunges and one-legged squats (w/o weights), and a good hip routine (I use the 'Myrtl' routine). Again, even if the cause of your shin stuff is more directly attributable to some other factos(s), there seems to be a lot of people out there suggesting that consideration of these 'proximal' factors can help.

Good luck, Moliere. You've had your share of shin stuff, and in my own (more moderate) way, I can relate. I'm really rooting for you to get to this marathon healthy and ready to go!