Comments on: I’m Going to ROCK those 26 miles!

By: roni

roni — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:17:03 +0000

Thanks so much Michelle! I may actually ditch the Boot Camp and actually run on Saturdays. I’m going to read up a bit, let your advice soak in and revisit my schedule. I have a few weeks to figure it all out.

Thanks so much!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:12:55 +0000

Oops I should have said “more than two days off in a row”

Cheers!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:11:50 +0000

Hi Roni! I have seen programs and runners successfully train for a marathon on three days of running per week, especially those (like myself) who don’t plan on running a sub four hour marathon. I usually try to encourage people to run four days a week but you can do it on three. I would add the mileage to the days where you are only running three miles. The only other thing I might switch is taking three days off in a row. Generally speaking running programs ususally don’t have two days off from running in a row. Believe it or not after 48 hours you start losing running fitness. You may find (especially as your long run inreases) that it is tough to run that distance after a three day break. Could you switch Wed with either Thurs or Fri? I do crossfit to train on my off days (you would love it if you like boot camp) but be careful when doing bootcamp that you are easy on your quads and hamstrings. Taking one complete rest day is perfect. You are such an enouragement and I love your running mix I am heading out for an afternoon run with it as my new running mix!

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:26:55 +0000

I’d defer to Michelle on this, but I think three days a week may be tough — a good rule of thumb is only run longer than an hour once a week… so the week of 11/8 I’m worried about that 10 miler the same week as your 20 miler.

So to hit a typical 35 mile week, with a 12 mile long run , you’d need to run three other days for a hour , and one day shorter, say 30 minutes or so.

That being said, there are many many schools of thought on this — I love your plan’s long run schedule, although at this point in your running career I think you may want to target more than one 20 miler.

The boot camp cross training is great — and there are many runners who only follow the FIRST program (http://www.furman.edu/first/) and run three times a week while training for a marathon; however, the three workouts are all hard workouts, one a track workout, one a tempo run, and the other a long run.

If you find yourself on a long flight, or with a little time to kill, read the Glover book (http://j.mp/dvIZoK). It’s kind of old school, and it was written before the FIRST program existed, but it does cover the mechanics behind how these training programs are made.

You’ve clearly got the running bug, and you’re a great example to many many people — no harm will come from any of the advice you’re getting, and talking about running is always fun. except while actually running. then it is boring!

All the best.

By: roni

roni — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:33:07 +0000

Michelle – Thank for your advice! You know.. I was a little worried about my mileage not getting high enough on a weekly average.

Here’s my question… Can I increase the distances I run to total more milage or do you recommend adding another run altogether. Is there a difference?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:27:41 +0000

Hi Roni! Congrats on signing up for another marathon. As a fellow runner and marathoner I applaud your committment. That being said I have to agree and add to another post. The Hal Higdon I really is a bare bones get you to the race training program. He even states so in his book that he sends you slightly undertrained by eager and well rested and off you go! By cutting out some running you are peaking at only 33 miles per week and many weeks are less than that. I know that you ran with much less training last year but I would hate for you to get injured. After training many runners, the chance of injury when you are not properly prepared is high. I know that you are in awesome shape so check our runnerworld.com the magazine and website have a wealth of information. Most people heading into a marathon train an average of 30-40 miles in the eight weeks or so before a marathon. I would hate to see you get hurt racing so close to the marathon and not logging enough miles! Happy Trails!

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:25:38 +0000

Roni, I think your outlook is perfect — and I’m envious as I would love to not get caught up about my times on races that I’m not targeting. There are people who run Philly every year because they love the vibe — and I understand it’s possible to get a hotel so close that you can leave your room at 7:30am for an 8am start, which to me would be amazing. AsI love running, but I don’t love hanging out pre-race!

Vegas I think will rock as well — I’ve heard that the middle miles can be a bit tough mentally as you’re running through industrial areas, but I’ve yet to hear of anyone who said the middle miles of a marathon are easy. Heck, in New York running through Williamsburg can be pretty depressing. And I’m not just talking about dodging the young hipsters!

All the best.

By: roni

roni — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:21:00 +0000

Thanks for the feedback Greg! I didn’t think about it like that. I simply replaced a 12 mile and a 13 mile training run with the events. I don’t particular plan on pushing myself more then I would on my own. The way I think about it is free water stations and cheers. :)

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:15:57 +0000

Roni, I’m a long time reader, runner, weight watcher, etc.! You freakin’ Rock!

I know I’m buried here in the comments a little bit, but I’m a little nervous about your running that half two weeks before your marathon. I’d be nervous about a 10k then. Especially since you’re racing hard this time.

If you’ve got the mental discipline to take it super easy in that half, so be it, but Philly is a freakin’ party so I’d worry that you’d push hard.

Talk to some other runners, don’t take the advice of a random commenter! Now that you’re pushing it, let me recommend Glover’s “Competitive Runner’s Handbook,” which is a great read (amazon: http://j.mp/dvIZoK).

Best of luck you’re going to rock no matter what you decide, but consider a nice long run at home rather than Philly!

By: Brandi

Brandi — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:51:57 +0000

Who are you?? My dear woman…you are amazing :)