Marathon Training Thread

[ewth8tr]

There was no organization at the start. Worse than normal. Started about 10 minutes early. I was in an outhouse at the time. At aid station 1, they were out of powerade when I got there. Station 2 they were out of water and powerade, No station carrying any gu or gel. The after race party which in the past has been quite good was very lacking. It ended up being not that fun and definitely not worth the fee.

That sucks, hopefully it will be better this year. I already signed up for it, but it also fits perfectly into my marathon training schedule as well, plus like you said it's a scenic and fast run. I ran it 2 years ago in 2:14, so I'd love to get it down to under 2:00, but realisticly I am looking to run in it in the 2:05 range.

[Coach McGuirk]

That sucks, hopefully it will be better this year. I already signed up for it, but it also fits perfectly into my marathon training schedule as well, plus like you said it's a scenic and fast run. I ran it 2 years ago in 2:14, so I'd love to get it down to under 2:00, but realisticly I am looking to run in it in the 2:05 range.

Good luck with it. Hopefully they received more complaints than just mine and are making improvements.

After the 9 mile bike attempt, I got out for a run;

Activity Type: Running
Time: 00:41:06
Distance: 3.43 mi
Elevation Gain: 579 ft
Calories: 664 C
Pace: 11:59

[Teenage Dirtbag]

It's a very scenic and fast run. It is just hell on my knees and is not very well run at all. I told them last year I was not doing it again. I think I will stick to it. It has gone down hill every year I have participated, which has been 4 years.

I did it 3 years ago and it was ok. But for a $25 entry, I wasn't expecting much. If the same person that built their web site organizes the race, I fully understand why the race is going downhill. Their web site is an incomprehensible mess.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

I got an 11 miler in today. This George Costanza quote best explains what happened:

"And I begin to perceive this impending...intestinal requirement, whose needs are going to surpass by great lengths anything in the (running) realm. So I know I'm gonna have to stop. And as this is happening I'm thinking, even if I can somehow manage to momentarily...extricate myself from the proceedings and relieve this unstoppable force, I know that that bathroom is not gonna provide me with the privacy that I know I'm going to need..."

Damn you Betos!!!

[Coach McGuirk]

I did it 3 years ago and it was ok. But for a $25 entry, I wasn't expecting much. If the same person that built their web site organizes the race, I fully understand why the race is going downhill. Their web site is an incomprehensible mess.

That's the other problem. They upped the entry fee to $35 last year and again this year. Their swag is non existent, the shirt is crap, and now the run support and after party are crap. I can't figure out what I am paying for, except the school bus ride to the start, which is no pleasure cruise.

[ewth8tr]

I did it 3 years ago and it was ok. But for a $25 entry, I wasn't expecting much. If the same person that built their web site organizes the race, I fully understand why the race is going downhill. Their web site is an incomprehensible mess.

lol, no doubt, their website is a mess.

[cowboy]

OK, I haven't followed this thread at all, but I have a question for you expert marathoners.

I am running a half on Saturday (a week from today). I have never actually trained for a half before, even though I have run several, because I was always in the process of training for a full. Anyway, I haven't done as much as I would have liked to prepare for this race, but I did get in a 14, 13, 12, 11, 10 and many 7-9 mile runs. I am not your typical runner. I cross train. I only run one or two times a week.

So my question is, what should I being doing for exercise this week before the race? I was thinking of completely laying off of running and just sticking to the elliptical, swimming and probably my usual Tuesday spin class. And weight training? Should I just do upper body or should I cut it out altogether?

Here's my suggestion:

Monday: 30 minutes on the elliptical
Tuesday: Rest
Wed: 3 mile run easy pace
Thursday: 2 miles easy pace
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Race

[Teenage Dirtbag]

That's the other problem. They upped the entry fee to $35 last year and again this year. Their swag is non existent, the shirt is crap, and now the run support and after party are crap. I can't figure out what I am paying for, except the school bus ride to the start, which is no pleasure cruise.

The t-shirt I got from the half when I ran it is one of only 2 race shirts that I have ever thrown away. It was hideous. Any race that gives out Hanes cotton t-shirts nowadays is a race not worth doing. If it's not a tech shirt, I don't want it.

[marsupial]

Here's my suggestion:

Monday: 30 minutes on the elliptical
Tuesday: Rest
Wed: 3 mile run easy pace
Thursday: 2 miles easy pace
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Race

Thanks. That's a lot easier than I was planning. What is the theory behind the Tuesday rest?

[cowboy]

Thanks. That's a lot easier than I was planning. What is the theory behind the Tuesday rest?

You want to be as rested as possible. The only reason you run at all in the last week is to keep the edge on your cardio. You'll be amazed at the energy you'll have after a light week and a days rest.

[Coach McGuirk]

Improvement!

Activity Type: Running
Time: 00:38:09
Distance: 3.49 mi
Elevation Gain: 230 ft
Calories: 715 C
Ave Pace: 10:55

[ewth8tr]

I felt fine yesterday and last night, but for some reason when I woke up this morning, my left knee hurt. I'm assuming that I just slept on it wrong, at least I am hoping that is what it is. I tried to run this morning, hoping that as I loosened it up that it would go away, but after about a half mile it was still painful, so I cut the run short and went home and iced it and put an ace bandage on it.

[Pheidippides]

I've done two things to change my training program:

1. I now run in the mornings instead of at night. Somehow I find that harder mentally (although not really physically). Anybody else feel that way?

2. I have started a weight training program. It is heavy on the upper body but I do some leg work as well (although not on days before long runs).

[Mr Incredible]

Damn, 5K miles?

And I was all proud of myself for coming up on 500 miles...

[beelzebabette]

Here's my suggestion:

Monday: 30 minutes on the elliptical
Tuesday: Rest
Wed: 3 mile run easy pace
Thursday: 2 miles easy pace
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Race

I would have suggested something like yard work (or trip to the park) on Tuesday to keep busy and a walk with the kids Thursday, but I usually did better with two days rest for my legs to feel fresh. I was also probably never in as good a shape as Soup.

Good suggestion.