That’s all fine and dandy but how were the poops this morning?Checking in with your weather on the ground in Richmond. SI 125 and will stay near there through morning. Temps should stay within a few degrees of 65 and humidity is to drop slowly. Going to be sunny.
Vibes are good.
First off don’t be scared, based on your half PR and your training sub 3:25 is a lock with decent race day conditions if you just continue what you’re doing and then taper.2.2x my HM time puts me smack at BQ cutoff (3:25). Which would be a 30+ minute PR for me.
I'm scared.
Almost all of my running this year has been easy (which was also true before my HM time, so at least it's apples-to-apples). Anyone have an 8-week "slow plodder to BQ" marathon plan???
I don’t know what adjustments would work best for you going forward, but if I were in your position I’d try to maintain the volume you’re currently putting in and add a tempo effort in each week anywhere from 4-7 miles at HM PR pace. I’d try to get 2-3 20 milers in as well.
Signed-up for Houston. Hotel booked. Going to try to BQ. Bought the magic shoes (last year's model, $100 off, but still $180, ugh).
I had more-or-less decided to not run street marathons anymore (since I hate them so much), but the stars are aligning: Not injured. Best fitness ever. I can qualify in the age 50 category (for 2024 Boston), despite still being 49 at the time of my qualifying race.
2.2x my HM time puts me smack at BQ cutoff (3:25). Which would be a 30+ minute PR for me.
I'm scared.
Almost all of my running this year has been easy (which was also true before my HM time, so at least it's apples-to-apples). Anyone have an 8-week "slow plodder to BQ" marathon plan???
No advice on the plan, but you are in phenomenal shape. Looking forward to seeing what you can do out there
And, 8 weeks away you say...is it supposed to be in the 60s and windy?![]()
Nice work Richmond guys.
@bushdocda went out and ran a smart half marathon as he continues his training for his marathon.
@pbm107 had a tough day, and we have all had those. Of course, his tough day would be dream for just about all of us. Keep your head up and I hope the ankle heals quickly.
Can't wait for a race report from you guys at some point.
This is where you and I disagree a bit. I think one 20-miler is plenty. Maaaaaaybe two. They just take so much out of you that I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.I’d try to get 2-3 20 milers in as well.
I think 20 milers do more for people mentally than physically. I'd argue an 18 miler with the last 4 miles at a pace a bit faster than MP will do more than a slow 20 miler.This is where you and I disagree a bit. I think one 20-miler is plenty. Maaaaaaybe two. They just take so much out of you that I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.I’d try to get 2-3 20 milers in as well.
I can see that, like everything in running it depends. For the way I run my 20 milers, they don't really take too much out of me but I typically run them slower.This is where you and I disagree a bit. I think one 20-miler is plenty. Maaaaaaybe two. They just take so much out of you that I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.I’d try to get 2-3 20 milers in as well.
For both the physical and mental aspects, that's why I like to push out to 21-23 miles on a couple of training runs. With those, time-on-feet at a slow pace isn't too far off the full marathon at race pace.I think 20 milers do more for people mentally than physically. I'd argue an 18 miler with the last 4 miles at a pace a bit faster than MP will do more than a slow 20 miler.This is where you and I disagree a bit. I think one 20-miler is plenty. Maaaaaaybe two. They just take so much out of you that I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.I’d try to get 2-3 20 milers in as well.
Yeah, neither is the recovery time…For both the physical and mental aspects, that's why I like to push out to 21-23 miles on a couple of training runs. With those, time-on-feet at a slow pace isn't too far off the full marathon at race pace.I think 20 milers do more for people mentally than physically. I'd argue an 18 miler with the last 4 miles at a pace a bit faster than MP will do more than a slow 20 miler.This is where you and I disagree a bit. I think one 20-miler is plenty. Maaaaaaybe two. They just take so much out of you that I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.I’d try to get 2-3 20 milers in as well.
I guess this means none of us can use the "I wasn't in optimal shape when I ran my race" excuse.
I can.I guess this means none of us can use the "I wasn't in optimal shape when I ran my race" excuse.
That guy is my spirit animal.
It's all about the recovery. For me, the first real long one in the cycle requires several days to get right again on the other side, but that's also seemed like a good time to hit the reset button before the trek towards peak. My follow up's in the 19-21 mile range don't require nearly as much recovery time as the first one - I even fast finished one in the last cycle and was doing 800 repeats 3 days later. For those that don't recover as quickly a different approach is optimal.
Yes. For my last marathon I had 16oz of Tailwind with me. I took a long drink at every aid station. I also ate a couple of chews at each mile marker until I just didn’t want it anymore. About mile 15 if I remember. I then dumped my water bottle and belt with my wife at mile 20 ish.Fueling.
Perhaps this is placebo. But on my ultras, drinking caffeinated Tailwind really seemed to keep me fueled and energized. How do I do this on a marathon? A half cup of water at water stations isn't going to be enough. Do I just run with a handheld? Have my wife meet me on the course with a bottle?
I know a couple others here are believers of this (@MAC_32 , for one), but one of the better ways to simulate this is to run those long runs on tired legs. The "Higdon weekend" is running an SOS workout on Saturday (tempo, intervals, whatever) to get the legs tired and then run long on Sunday. Since your legs aren't starting out fresh, it's basically simulating the last part of the marathon, not the first part. You also don't need to do 20 miles on the long run to accomplish this. Run a tiring workout on Saturday then run 16 on Sunday. And if you aren't feeling fatigue after the first 10-12 miles, then pick up the pace for the last 4-6 miles.It's all about the recovery. For me, the first real long one in the cycle requires several days to get right again on the other side, but that's also seemed like a good time to hit the reset button before the trek towards peak. My follow up's in the 19-21 mile range don't require nearly as much recovery time as the first one - I even fast finished one in the last cycle and was doing 800 repeats 3 days later. For those that don't recover as quickly a different approach is optimal.
20-milers don't take much out of me, at least at the pace I run them. I did one a couple of weeks ago and ran another 10 miles the day after. Did I feel spry after? No. But I also wasn't hobbled.
As with most people, the problem for me isn't the first 20 miles. It's the last 6. I'm not sure how I prepare for that, except to just fuel right (been thinking about this), and just try to beat through the problem with fitness.
Get really hungover and run a 10k race the next day.It's all about the recovery. For me, the first real long one in the cycle requires several days to get right again on the other side, but that's also seemed like a good time to hit the reset button before the trek towards peak. My follow up's in the 19-21 mile range don't require nearly as much recovery time as the first one - I even fast finished one in the last cycle and was doing 800 repeats 3 days later. For those that don't recover as quickly a different approach is optimal.
20-milers don't take much out of me, at least at the pace I run them. I did one a couple of weeks ago and ran another 10 miles the day after. Did I feel spry after? No. But I also wasn't hobbled.
As with most people, the problem for me isn't the first 20 miles. It's the last 6. I'm not sure how I prepare for that, except to just fuel right (been thinking about this), and just try to beat through the problem with fitness.
Start practicing now to see what works and what doesn't. I'd avoid carrying any extra weight if at all possible, but I would if not doing so would be detrimental to my race.Fueling.
Perhaps this is placebo. But on my ultras, drinking caffeinated Tailwind really seemed to keep me fueled and energized. How do I do this on a marathon? A half cup of water at water stations isn't going to be enough. Do I just run with a handheld? Have my wife meet me on the course with a bottle?
Yep you need to tailor your ultra approach to a shorter faster race. A little caffeine and soon cookies, we can work with that.Fueling.
Perhaps this is placebo. But on my ultras, drinking caffeinated Tailwind really seemed to keep me fueled and energized. How do I do this on a marathon? A half cup of water at water stations isn't going to be enough. Do I just run with a handheld? Have my wife meet me on the course with a bottle?
And one other thing @Zasada ....
Your volume is already pretty substantial. But, if you start to add some quality (SOS, speed, tempo, intervals, etc), make sure you don't also increase your volume. If anything, back off just a bit so you can really get something out of the workouts you do.
You're consistently in the 65ish mpw range. You just had 2 slightly higher mileages the last couple weeks. I'd consider backing down to 55-60 if you do 1-2 SOS runs per week. You have an incredible base at this point. Work your anaerobic system these next few weeks.
But if you start doing those workouts AND increase volume, then that's a recipe to struggle and/or get injured and not get the most out of that quality.
My $.02 from a retired marathon runner.
Yep you need to tailor your ultra approach to a shorter faster race. A little caffeine and soon cookies, we can work with that.Fueling.
Perhaps this is placebo. But on my ultras, drinking caffeinated Tailwind really seemed to keep me fueled and energized. How do I do this on a marathon? A half cup of water at water stations isn't going to be enough. Do I just run with a handheld? Have my wife meet me on the course with a bottle?
This is something to practice a bit. I hate handhelds but don’t mind a couple little bottles hooked on my waist band or in good compression pockets.
More fuel the week prior, more fuel the night before and a plan to execute on raceday will give you the most ‘coverage’ if your stomach turns mid race. And the strategic timed use of caffeine gels or a handoff bottle (Mrs Z = Kipchoges hero Claus) is a great idea IMO.
As disastrous as last year's marathon was and my overall lack of adequate mental prep there was one key variable I nailed. We crossed the same point in the course at miles 7, 12, and 16 so I had my wife handoff 1/2 honey jam sammys on each pass. I chose the spot because on the mile 7 and 16 passes there was a water stop about 90 seconds after, so I only needed to carry the sammy for any length of time going one direction. Doesn't help your specific situation (different race), but just something to chew on, pun unintended.I think my preferred approach would be the Kipchoge one. Will see if I can figure out the logistics of that.
There will be 3500 of my new friends toeing the line in Arizona and I just hope to be one of them crossing the finish line to hear Mike Reilly call me an Ironman. It will be his last IM called on US soil so that will make it that much more special. My wife completed IMAZ in 2013 and she has been the best sherpa/lifegueard/caddy a guy could ever have. Anyone that endeavors an Ironman needs a pretty solid support system and I know I would never be close to getting this done without her backing me 1000%. She is volunteering at the finish line later in the evening with the hope that she gets to put the medal around my neck. We have friends and family coming into town for the event and it should be a big ol' party in Tempe. I mean what else are they going to do while I'm out there on the course?! They don't do bib numbers until check in so here is the IM tracker app link below. Thank you ALL for your support and inspiration and BMF-ery that has kept me going this past 2 years!! Cheers Ya'll!!
Get some!The long awaited Ironman Arizona is this Sunday. It's taper week and probably for the best as my 58 yo body needs a break from all the training I've been up to especially the last 3 months. This will be my first IM as I was supposed to do IM California last year but it was cancelled due to a "cyclone bomb," (that was a good call). I have had a great year of training and feel very confident going into the event, especially the swim. I have made great progress in that discipline even tho I'm still super slow compared to most triathletes.There will be 3500 of my new friends toeing the line in Arizona and I just hope to be one of them crossing the finish line to hear Mike Reilly call me an Ironman. It will be his last IM called on US soil so that will make it that much more special. My wife completed IMAZ in 2013 and she has been the best sherpa/lifegueard/caddy a guy could ever have. Anyone that endeavors an Ironman needs a pretty solid support system and I know I would never be close to getting this done without her backing me 1000%. She is volunteering at the finish line later in the evening with the hope that she gets to put the medal around my neck. We have friends and family coming into town for the event and it should be a big ol' party in Tempe. I mean what else are they going to do while I'm out there on the course?! They don't do bib numbers until check in so here is the IM tracker app link below. Thank you ALL for your support and inspiration and BMF-ery that has kept me going this past 2 years!! Cheers Ya'll!!
Tracking Joe Wagner in the IRONMAN® Arizona. Check it out!
https://rtrt.me/ulink/IRMA/IRM-ARIZONA-2022/tracker/RY37JFCG/focus

It's feeling fine, thanks for asking. Just being lazy this week, I might try to get out when I get home from work. I am not sure what caused the ankle pain during the race, I did roll my ankle about 6 weeks ago, but I felt like I got over that quickly. Perhaps since the Alphaflys are less stable than my trainers it may have exposed a weakness in the ankle. The bright side is that my legs feel great as I didn't stress them because of the ankle discomfort.@pbm107 How is the ankle?
I wasn’t able to watch, but I followed closely online. My protégée, Ashley, and I have been very aware of the time needed to qualify for nationals (D III) and are committed to getting her there next fall (along with setting a new school record). My accounting student at powerhouse North Central came in 29th overall in the men’s race. He actually led his team …first time he’s done that (in his final collegiate race). The team, however, came in with a disappointing 7th when their goal was top 3.Morning race fans. 10am ESPNU will have the college cross country championships on. Most years it’s been really good coverage of both women’s and men’s races.
Shouts to the paceboss @SteelCurtain heading out in Philly tomorrow.
I’ll be testing out a banged up pinky toe this morning that I blasted off a dumbbell on Thursday night (while stretching not lifting). Other toes feeling better so I needed another one to **** with me.
Happy weekend all.
The races were very different and good watches.I wasn’t able to watch, but I followed closely online. My protégée, Ashley, and I have been very aware of the time needed to qualify for nationals (D III) and are committed to getting her there next fall (along with setting a new school record). My accounting student at powerhouse North Central came in 29th overall in the men’s race. He actually led his team …first time he’s done that (in his final collegiate race). The team, however, came in with a disappointing 7th when their goal was top 3.Morning race fans. 10am ESPNU will have the college cross country championships on. Most years it’s been really good coverage of both women’s and men’s races.
Shouts to the paceboss @SteelCurtain heading out in Philly tomorrow.
I’ll be testing out a banged up pinky toe this morning that I blasted off a dumbbell on Thursday night (while stretching not lifting). Other toes feeling better so I needed another one to **** with me.
Happy weekend all.
