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Dr. Parrothead
Run SofaKing hard!
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Ran a 10k in June (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter GStrot
- Start date
Dude, you are so going to kill this HIM.pigskinliquors said:Wraith: Way to gut it out. No shame EVER in finishing a marathon. Great job!D_House and Nigel: Kick some ### this weekend! The_Third: Most awesome that you are drinking the marathon Kool-Aid_______________________________My Update
id a nice Brick (30/7) this morning. It was a little cooler with the temp at the start 71, and at the finish 74 degrees; winds were pretty low at approx. 10 MPH. My only goals were to get the miles in, and to keep my HR down. Both goals were accomplished!! The bike had the first 19 miles either with side winds or with the wind, and the final 11 into the wind. I averaged 20.8 MPH, had an AVE HR of 148 BPM
and my max (on a long hill, into the wind) was only 166 BPM =
The run also went pretty smoothly. I averaged 8:11, and my HR (AVE 163)stayed very low (for me!). My miles and AVE HR were:8:25 (152 BPM)8:18 (159)8:15 (162)8:13 (164)8:11 (167)8:00 (170)7:53 (174)Getting the last two miles in right at or under MP without my HR blowing up made me pretty happy. My legs feel pretty darn good; though it's a bit frightening to think that all I have to do in less than 4 weeks is virtually double my bike and run distances after trying to not drown for approx. 45 minutes. I have a loooooong ways to go, in a little time.
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
I was trying to do speed training tonight. It was 90 out when I started. I went out at dusk so it probably dropped to 85 or so by the time I was done. I set my Garmin for run .5 miles / rest .25 miles and did 5 sets. I did not have a pace goal so I had no idea how fast I was running during the run portion. I just ran until it hurt and it hurt. Avg HR was 153 and maxed at 176.
I hope this copy/paste translates.
Split
Hour:Minute:SecondTime
MilesDistance
Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:41:07 3.75 10:58
1 00:04:13 0.50 08:26
2 00:03:45 0.25 15:03
3 00:04:18 0.50 08:37
4 00:03:47 0.25 15:12
5 00:04:21 0.50 08:43
6 00:03:52 0.25 15:30
7 00:04:20 0.50 08:41
8 00:03:55 0.25 15:42
9 00:04:21 0.50 08:43
10 00:04:08 0.25 16:33
I hope this copy/paste translates.
Split
Hour:Minute:SecondTime
MilesDistance
Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:41:07 3.75 10:58
1 00:04:13 0.50 08:26
2 00:03:45 0.25 15:03
3 00:04:18 0.50 08:37
4 00:03:47 0.25 15:12
5 00:04:21 0.50 08:43
6 00:03:52 0.25 15:30
7 00:04:20 0.50 08:41
8 00:03:55 0.25 15:42
9 00:04:21 0.50 08:43
10 00:04:08 0.25 16:33
wraith5
Footballguy
:( I was thinking the same thing!
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wraith5
Footballguy
Great job!
SFBayDuck
Footballguy
I went through ITBS a couple months ago, the difference being that I had never experienced it until mile 2 of an 18 mile trail race, and it kicked in hard. So my experience is limited, but afterward as I tried to run again I found that the knee strap sure helped, as did icing and the foam roller to loosen it up. But during the race, it was pain management - and while I finished, the pain won a lot of the time.As for Vitamin I/NSAID use, obviously there's been some attention on the potential negative affects of taking with endurance events, particularly when combined with dehydration. Last year's 100K trail national champion, Erik Skaggs, suffered renal failure that was attributed to NSAID use during or after that race last year.. Dude looked like this afterward. Add on that the effectiveness of NSAIDs in treating pain and inflammation during and after endurance events has been questioned, most notably by a study done at the Western States 100, and it's kind of tough to justify taking Ibuprofen before a long race.Moreand
from me.
Been resting the IT band as much as possible the past 2 weeks. Swam + bike for cardio. Lots of stretches (every day), rolling (every day), and Ibuprofen as needed. Even done some strength training on some hip muscles. Occasional icing.
It's still giving me trouble. Reading up on other forums and general 'net research, this &*%$# thing could take a long-### time to heal. Tried to do just 3 miles on a treadmill on Saturday - stopped at 2.5 as the knee started hurting and I didn't want to keep pushing it. A freakin' treadmill at a 9:00 pace. With an IT band strap on said leg.
I'm worried (and now almost convinced) that this is not going to hold up over 26.2 miles on Sunday. Really really upset about this as I've trained all summer long. To the point where I started losing sleep over it last night.
I'll be going out to give it a shot and not giving up now. The day of, I'll load up on some Ibuprofen / Aleve before hand. Wear the strap. Focus on shorter strides, and going at a slow, even pace as best I can. And of course, lots of stretching. Hope I can get through this and not a 'DNF'.
If anyone has any last minute suggestions for working through / staving off IT band pain this close to race time, I'd love to hear it. Don't care if I have to duct-tape, popsicle stick, and tennis-ball it at this point.
Of course that being said, I do take Advil regularly before runs to deal with my PF during training, but do try not to when I'm doing 4+ hour runs. And a guy I know who's finished top 15 at WS100 each of the last couple of years pops 10-15 Aleve during the race and hasn't had any issues, and swears by it to help him manage the inherent pain that comes with running for 18+ hours.
Only specific advice I have is to watch the downhills - I found that the eccentric contractions involved with running downhill exacerbated the IT band more than flats or uphills - if your race has some big downhills, maybe consider walking them to help you hold up for the duration. Good luck!
pmbrown_22
Footballguy
Quality workouts guys. Keep up the good work. For most, this is some of the best days to run as the weather is getting cooler, but not too cool. For those where it is still hot, hold on a bit longer and things will get better.
There are a lot of racers this weekend. Good luck everyone.
-----------------
Last night I did 7 easy miles. Averaged about 9:00 a mile. Tonight is 7 more miles with 2 of those at MP pace as a "dress rehersal". It is supposed to rain, so we will see where that goes. SRD tomorrow and some shake-out miles on Friday before heading out.
Not sure if I will be in here tomorrow, so good luck to everyone again and I will see you on the flip side of the weekend. I will try to get in here sometime after the race with a mini-update.
Have a great day all.
There are a lot of racers this weekend. Good luck everyone.
-----------------
Last night I did 7 easy miles. Averaged about 9:00 a mile. Tonight is 7 more miles with 2 of those at MP pace as a "dress rehersal". It is supposed to rain, so we will see where that goes. SRD tomorrow and some shake-out miles on Friday before heading out.
Not sure if I will be in here tomorrow, so good luck to everyone again and I will see you on the flip side of the weekend. I will try to get in here sometime after the race with a mini-update.
Have a great day all.
The_Man
Footballguy
Good luck, PMB. You are going to have a great race!
IvanKaramazov
Footballguy
I'm going to have to set aside time on Monday to read all of the incoming race reports from this weekend.
gruecd
Footballguy
Good luck, pmb!!!
No kidding. And I've still got a gazillion Chicago RRs to read from my friends over at RWOL. Heaven help me....
SofaKings
Footballguy
Going to run with my 11yo. Her first race as well.
pigskinliquors
Dr. Parrothead
Good luck, pmb!!!No kidding. And I've still got a gazillion Chicago RRs to read from my friends over at RWOL. Heaven help me....
on your 
It's going to be a great weekend of racing. Can't wait. 
Ned
Footballguy
mr. furley
Footballguy
gllllllllDarrinll40
Footballguy
Good luck to all the racers this weekend.
UPDATE
I just returned from the surgeon's office and, with the exception that it is possibly a double hernia, it is good news. I am having laparoscopic surgery on Monday.
I should be able to walk within the week and run well before New Years Day.
UPDATE
I just returned from the surgeon's office and, with the exception that it is possibly a double hernia, it is good news. I am having laparoscopic surgery on Monday.
I should be able to walk within the week and run well before New Years Day.
IvanKaramazov
Footballguy
Did 10 miles after class at LSD pace. The last few were quite a bit harder than they would have been a few weeks ago. Everything felt basically fine until mile 7 or so, and then my legs went sort of semi-dead all of the sudden. Oh well.
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3.1 miles @ 9:57 pace this morning. Legs are starting to feel the accumulation of miles. Broke 50 miles today for the month. I believe my best month this year was in the low 60's. I'm either going to have a huge break thru next spring or end up retiring.
Currently at 14 runs in 13 days. If we don't get rain this evening, I may try to bank another run.
Currently at 14 runs in 13 days. If we don't get rain this evening, I may try to bank another run.
wraith5
Footballguy
Workhorse
Footballguy
I thought Dock Ellis was dead.
Ned
Footballguy
I'm really starting to come to the realization that I'm not a distance runner. I don't have the discipline for it. :realitycheck: I'm thinking I may just stick with 5k/10k races next season after I get this HM over with.
I had 8x400m repeats on the calendar today, but I was afraid to do any real speed work with the knee issues from last week still fresh on my mind. So I decided I'd compromise and do the 2.35mi loop in my neighborhood at 8:15-ish pace. Figuring it was slower than 5K pace and a tad longer than the total distance of 8x400m.
Happy with myself that I'm playing it smart, I did my usual warm-up and took off. First half mile I looked at the Garmin and saw I was running at 8:05 and felt really good. Long story short, I felt so damn good I found myself pushing it more and more for the last 1.75 or so....
1 - 7:35
2 - 7:13
last 0.35 at 7:03 pace
I feel almost invigorated after that run, but ashamed all at the same time. I'm like a dumb dog that sees a rabbit and can't control myself and takes off.
I had 8x400m repeats on the calendar today, but I was afraid to do any real speed work with the knee issues from last week still fresh on my mind. So I decided I'd compromise and do the 2.35mi loop in my neighborhood at 8:15-ish pace. Figuring it was slower than 5K pace and a tad longer than the total distance of 8x400m.
Happy with myself that I'm playing it smart, I did my usual warm-up and took off. First half mile I looked at the Garmin and saw I was running at 8:05 and felt really good. Long story short, I felt so damn good I found myself pushing it more and more for the last 1.75 or so....
1 - 7:35
2 - 7:13
last 0.35 at 7:03 pace
I feel almost invigorated after that run, but ashamed all at the same time. I'm like a dumb dog that sees a rabbit and can't control myself and takes off.
IvanKaramazov
Footballguy
Nothing wrong with being the guy who consistently places in his AG in local 10Ks. I enjoy distance running, but part of the reason why is that a) I have absolutely no genetic background for speed and it's extremely hard for me to develop it and b) I have an exceptionally high tolerance for the mental tedium that you have to put up with for distance. For example, doing 15 miles on a treadmill doesn't bother me at all.If you've got speed -- and you do -- and you've tried distance and decided you don't like it, just do what you enjoy.
Ned
Footballguy
I've enjoyed the Sunday longs. Every single one of them since August. So far I've been able to tone back the pace on Sunday's because the distance itself has scared me. I have 9 on Sunday and I'm worried about making it. Each Sunday is a new PR (distance wise) for me. So it's easier to hold back to a 10min pace and be good to go. Maybe I just need to get more experience with it before I write it all off. I'm just really struggling with dialing back these shorter runs. I understand the reasoning behind taking them slower, but when I'm in the heat of the moment, all logic goes out the window.Your talk about doing the 20 or 22 miler around a track really stuck with me. I find it incredibly fascinating that you'd be able to shut your mind off and do 88 laps without losing it. You are a patient man!
turkishharem
Footballguy
Also doing the Detroit Half Marathon 13.1, and I'm really looking forward to the race. I don't have a Garmin or a target yet, so I'm just going to take it as it comes and focus on trying to learn enough over the winter to be more methodical about it next year.
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
AWESOME!!!!
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
I'm really starting to come to the realization that I'm not a distance runner. I don't have the discipline for it. :realitycheck: I'm thinking I may just stick with 5k/10k races next season after I get this HM over with.I had 8x400m repeats on the calendar today, but I was afraid to do any real speed work with the knee issues from last week still fresh on my mind. So I decided I'd compromise and do the 2.35mi loop in my neighborhood at 8:15-ish pace. Figuring it was slower than 5K pace and a tad longer than the total distance of 8x400m. Happy with myself that I'm playing it smart, I did my usual warm-up and took off. First half mile I looked at the Garmin and saw I was running at 8:05 and felt really good. Long story short, I felt so damn good I found myself pushing it more and more for the last 1.75 or so....1 - 7:352 - 7:13last 0.35 at 7:03 paceI feel almost invigorated after that run, but ashamed all at the same time. I'm like a dumb dog that sees a rabbit and can't control myself and takes off.
2Young2BBald
Footbaldguy
Hope I didn't miss the chance to wish you GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!!!!
tri-man 47
Footballguy
To all the weekend racers - I hope you do great!!! Here's hoping for good conditions and for each of you having a good race day.
multiple
multiple
turkishharem
Footballguy
Agreed - that is thoroughly excellent. Hope you guys have a great time!2Y - Thanks for the synopsis of the event. I think that it is really cool that we'll be running from one country into another country and back again.I'm also looking forward to reading the updates from everyone else. I can't help but think that "borrowing" your experiences will be a valuable mental training tool.prosopis said:
Juxtatarot
Footballguy
Nike VaporThey stay on well and are decent sound-wise.bentley said:
Edit: One downside is they don't seem to last long. In a few years I'm on my third pair. I usually don't suggest buying warranties but I would for these...if you use them enough they will go bad.
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2Young2BBald
Footbaldguy
Some quick logistics for you guys doing Detroit on Sunday. Parking, bathrooms and staying warm before the start are important things. Last year, we parked in the bottom of the Cobo garage and it was perfect. Entering off Jefferson was slow getting in, but once in, there are several bathrooms, its nice and warm and only about 3 blocks from the starting line. We discovered a bathroom upstairs near the People Mover stop that had a short line. Plus, you don't need bag check as you can come back to your car and either head home OR stay and watch the finishers. The Doubletree has a coffee bar on the first floor if you need a coffee after (my wife & I make a habit of this after 1/2s). Getting out of Cobo, jumping on 375 out of Downtown is a snap. Another good spot would be Ford underground, but last year they screwed that up and didn't open in time. The start corrals were a bit of a zoo last year. They were well marked, but a bit tough to get in to. I assume they'll fix this a bit for this year.
Dexter & TH, more than likely, my wife & I will be down there to watch at a few spots (tunnel exit and finish) & I'll look for you guys.
Dexter & TH, more than likely, my wife & I will be down there to watch at a few spots (tunnel exit and finish) & I'll look for you guys.
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
To all the weekend racers - I hope you do great!!! Here's hoping for good conditions and for each of you having a good race day.multiple
Go get em folks!!!!!!!!
Ned
Footballguy
To all the weekend racers - I hope you do great!!! Here's hoping for good conditions and for each of you having a good race day.multiple
pmbrown_22
Footballguy
Hey guys. Thought I would pop in just for a bit today and say thanks for the well-wishes. It seems to be shaping up for a good day for me. Low is supposed to be 43 and a high of 69 now. I am feeling good right now and resting today. Shake-out miles tomorrow and then we are off.
------------------
Ned - I think you are doing fine and pacing was always one of the hardest things for me to get when I started out. As far as the mileage goes and pace, I always tell people that it is kind of a hurdle thing that goes on when you are starting out for longer distances. The distance is mental and one you reach certain "hurdles" ( 5, 8, 10, 13... miles) then you know you can do it and it is a confidence thing. To coincide with pace, you will eventually figure it out and it gets easier. I still have a hard time with pacing the short distances, but once you keep at it for a time it will get easier. And like me, it may take a couple of years to figure it all out.
------------------
Ned - I think you are doing fine and pacing was always one of the hardest things for me to get when I started out. As far as the mileage goes and pace, I always tell people that it is kind of a hurdle thing that goes on when you are starting out for longer distances. The distance is mental and one you reach certain "hurdles" ( 5, 8, 10, 13... miles) then you know you can do it and it is a confidence thing. To coincide with pace, you will eventually figure it out and it gets easier. I still have a hard time with pacing the short distances, but once you keep at it for a time it will get easier. And like me, it may take a couple of years to figure it all out.
Nigel
Footballguy
My final training run is in the books, a two mile tempo run at 7:47 pace witgh a slow half mile on either side - a short run but damn I felt GREAT. Thre really is no in between for me, either I it's either awesome or awful, no matter how long the run. Hoping for the best Sunday.
We were planning on driving from Boston to Newport Sat. evening and staying at a hotel a few miles from the race but I couldn't stand to miss my son's 7:00pm hockey game, so we're just going to get up at 5:00am and drive down the morning of. The parking situation sounds like a bit of a hassle, a lot a few miles away with shuttle buses. I called a bread and breakfast a quarter mile from the start and offered the lady $50 for a parking spot for the morning, and she bit. And my wife is going to suck it up and do a 3 hr. round trip drive to pick up our numbers Friday. Another huge I'm all about making the morning of as stress free as possible. Weather looks perfect too - can't wait to get on with it.
We were planning on driving from Boston to Newport Sat. evening and staying at a hotel a few miles from the race but I couldn't stand to miss my son's 7:00pm hockey game, so we're just going to get up at 5:00am and drive down the morning of. The parking situation sounds like a bit of a hassle, a lot a few miles away with shuttle buses. I called a bread and breakfast a quarter mile from the start and offered the lady $50 for a parking spot for the morning, and she bit.
And my wife is going to suck it up and do a 3 hr. round trip drive to pick up our numbers Friday. Another huge I'm all about making the morning of as stress free as possible. Weather looks perfect too - can't wait to get on with it.
wraith5
Footballguy
Ivan you are now one of my heros. I thought a lot about your marathon time on Sunday, and while I'm not there yet, I really do want to be. As gruecd noted to me on Friday, "You need to get your head right" with the marathon distance - and he's 100% right. So I'm working on developing that mental toughness and confidence. And I have a plan.Nothing wrong with being the guy who consistently places in his AG in local 10Ks. I enjoy distance running, but part of the reason why is that a) I have absolutely no genetic background for speed and it's extremely hard for me to develop it and b) I have an exceptionally high tolerance for the mental tedium that you have to put up with for distance. For example, doing 15 miles on a treadmill doesn't bother me at all.If you've got speed -- and you do -- and you've tried distance and decided you don't like it, just do what you enjoy.
wraith5
Footballguy
I just bought some ear bud covers at the Chicago Marathon Expo - I will have to look tonight to see what they are called. I used them during the race and this morning and they worked very well. The nice thing about them is that you can replace your ear buds without having to replace these. Did a nice & easy 4 miles this morning at a 9:20 pace. Quads are still tentative but improving. Planning to bike tomorrow and get out for an 8-10 miler this weekend.bentley said:
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE RACERS THIS WEEKEND!!!
Mario Kart
Footballguy
Just keeping a running tally for myself (wisconsinmidwest) :
Run 1 - Sep 30 = 12.5 laps in ~32:00
Run 2 - Oct 1 == 8 laps in 18:45
Run 3 - Oct 3 == 10.5 laps in 25:50
Run 4 - Oct 5 == 9 laps around my block in 34:00 ((3.30 miles))
Run 5 - Oct 7 == 9 laps around the track in 22:30 (bad run)
Run 6 - Oct 12 = 10.5 laps (3/4 additional walk between) in 25:34
Run 7 - Oct 14 = 10.5 laps in 25:46
61 track laps at 400m (15.25 miles) +3.3 extra miles
Run 1 - Sep 30 = 12.5 laps in ~32:00
Run 2 - Oct 1 == 8 laps in 18:45
Run 3 - Oct 3 == 10.5 laps in 25:50
Run 4 - Oct 5 == 9 laps around my block in 34:00 ((3.30 miles))
Run 5 - Oct 7 == 9 laps around the track in 22:30 (bad run)
Run 6 - Oct 12 = 10.5 laps (3/4 additional walk between) in 25:34
Run 7 - Oct 14 = 10.5 laps in 25:46
61 track laps at 400m (15.25 miles) +3.3 extra miles
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The_Man
Footballguy
Ivan you are now one of my heros. I thought a lot about your marathon time on Sunday, and while I'm not there yet, I really do want to be. As gruecd noted to me on Friday, "You need to get your head right" with the marathon distance - and he's 100% right. So I'm working on developing that mental toughness and confidence. And I have a plan.
I'm still pretty new to this, but almost everything I've read indicates that approaches like FIRST are good for tri-training and for running shorter distances, but they just don't seem to work for a full Marathon. If you're going to train for a marathon, you have to embrace the tedium and recognize that lots of long slow miles are the best way to get ready. A year ago, I never could have conceived that I would truly enjoy something like a two-hour, 16-mile run. Now, I finish a run like that basically not even winded (because I'm running it so slowly) and love every minute of it.Naturally, some people aren't going to find this kind of training fulfilling - in that case, focusing on shorter distances that require you to train more intensely for shorter periods of time might make sense.
I'm nursing a sore hammy today - it was tender during yesterday's 6-miler and kind of cramped at the end - and so didn't run. Planning to run 5 on tomorrow's scheduled rest day so that I'm just flipflopping my off days instead of missing a run.
Nigel
Footballguy
Please share. I also envy IK's mental toughness. The entiety of my long runs is spent thinking about when thit will be over, and I know that's not a good thing.Ivan you are now one of my heros. I thought a lot about your marathon time on Sunday, and while I'm not there yet, I really do want to be. As gruecd noted to me on Friday, "You need to get your head right" with the marathon distance - and he's 100% right. So I'm working on developing that mental toughness and confidence. And I have a plan.
Ned
Footballguy
GL! I think you're going to surprise yourself.My final training run is in the books, a two mile tempo run at 7:47 pace witgh a slow half mile on either side - a short run but damn I felt GREAT. Thre really is no in between for me, either I it's either awesome or awful, no matter how long the run. Hoping for the best Sunday.We were planning on driving from Boston to Newport Sat. evening and staying at a hotel a few miles from the race but I couldn't stand to miss my son's 7:00pm hockey game, so we're just going to get up at 5:00am and drive down the morning of. The parking situation sounds like a bit of a hassle, a lot a few miles away with shuttle buses. I called a bread and breakfast a quarter mile from the start and offered the lady $50 for a parking spot for the morning, and she bit.
IvanKaramazov
Footballguy
"Mental toughness" isn't really the right term. Running slow/comfortable for long distances isn't that hard, even if you're tired at the end. It's just that you're out there for a long time and the boredom makes it feel worse than what it really is. I'm sure a big part of the reason why it feels easier to run on race day is because of all the sources of stimulus you're surrounded by: a new course, the spectators, the runners you're passing or being passed by, the hottie in the running bra who you stay 20 ft. behind for half the race, etc. I think I just have a relatively easy time letting my mind wander and not getting bored as badly as other people do. It's more of a personality trait than anything I've developed, but it does happen to fit with distance running.
Nigel
Footballguy
I think this is spot on. I'm a self-conscious person by nature (sometimes painfully so), which does not lend itself well to mind-wandering during long runs. Not sure there's much I can do about it.
2Young2BBald
Footbaldguy
There is, you can harness it. I am planningNigel said:
and use to drive myself nuts. Now, I embrace it. In some mad way, I enjoy studying course maps and visualizing races before they happen, or during them to keep my mind occupied. Read a great article in triathlete mag over last winter that talked about increased success rates achieved by those that took the time to visualize what success looks like before trying to achieve it (including race success). There was a VERY cool study they drew from NASA prior to the first moon launch that keyed upon how they could position the first astronauts for success (and it came back to visualization). Over time I have learned that success doesn't mean PRs or hardware (although I try like hell for both). It is about trying new things and having fun doing it. So, in race I think about fuel & water, but I also think about how many times around the track it is from mile marker X. I take in the scenery (physical (the sports bra chick) or natural (the trees changing color this past weekend)). I think about getting that medal around my next and how good whatever post race meal is going to be. I'll mentally adjust my FF line ups, come up with trade ideas, etc. One more piece of advice if you run with an iPod (or plan to race with it). Leave it at home. I no longer race with one and appreciate, now, what I was missing. For training, I'll do it now and then, but it is not a vital piece of equipment anymore. This is supposed to be fun, not work.
wraith5
Footballguy
Did you really just refer to running at 7.5 minutes/mile for 2 hours as "so slowly"?? 1) :finger: (usually reserved for tri-man, but you earned that one pal!)The_Man said:wraith5 said:Ivan you are now one of my heros. I thought a lot about your marathon time on Sunday, and while I'm not there yet, I really do want to be. As gruecd noted to me on Friday, "You need to get your head right" with the marathon distance - and he's 100% right. So I'm working on developing that mental toughness and confidence. And I have a plan.Nothing wrong with being the guy who consistently places in his AG in local 10Ks. I enjoy distance running, but part of the reason why is that a) I have absolutely no genetic background for speed and it's extremely hard for me to develop it and b) I have an exceptionally high tolerance for the mental tedium that you have to put up with for distance. For example, doing 15 miles on a treadmill doesn't bother me at all.If you've got speed -- and you do -- and you've tried distance and decided you don't like it, just do what you enjoy.
2) This highlights a dramatic difference in our summer training & results. 16 at 8.5/mile would be a real challenge for me. You're going way faster and apparently doing it with less effort. And I don't think we started the year in significantly different conditioning. My recent health issues aside (I'll see in a few weeks if that is really a factor or not, once we get a freeze or two) that's amazing. And worth some further thought on my part.
3) I'm not ready to bail on FIRST yet - their studies contradict what you observed regarding the marathon distance. Tho I agree with you that it's a great plan for triathletes (which will be my focus next year). Gruecd is sharing the Pfitz stuff with me so I'll take a look and decide my training plan once I lay out all of my race goals for next year.
4) When you really cut down to it, my biggest problem when it comes to the marathon is that I don't think I believe I can run the whole thing. I've tried 6 times, and not come very close. I get out there and all kinds of negative thoughts pop into my head. And sure enough, I find myself walking. Even when I've trained through 20 miler after 20 miler, I choke on race day. And that's a mental problem.
So my plan for the marathon distance is simply to run slower. If I can get through the distance, at 10 min/miles or whatever, I will have some success to start building my confidence on. I don't care if it's going out on my own and running 26 miles just to DO it, but if I'm going to run marathons in the future, the next one has to accomplish this.
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