Hang on, this is all over the map…
Rock ‘N’ Roll Full Training
It seems like all week people have been asking me how many miles I am running on Sunday. I started to freak out a little because I didn’t know. I have all my long runs scheduled in Outlook, but last week, Zoë and I did 16 instead of 17, and I was beginning to think that would throw us off.
I just took a look and we are going to be okay. I am changing it a little. Jeff Galloway’s long runs go from 14 to 17 to 20 to 23 to 26 and then taper, and then the marathon. But everyone I’ve talked to says 26 is not needed. We’ve done 14 and 16. I think I will change 20 to 18 and 23 to 20 and 26 to 23. Then taper. I hope that is OK. What do you think? (Zoë, that means we have 18 next weekend, FYI.)
This Sunday, I will be running 7 with buddy Chelsea. I’m not sure who else will be meeting up with us just yet, but I’m excited to run with Chels since this will be her longest run to date! I’m also going to run 5 or so on Saturday before the sun comes up because I’m going to a 9-hour scrapbooking event where I will be sitting, sitting, sitting, and eating, eating, eating. Oh, and chatting, chatting, chatting.
Today’s Run
This morning, I ran outside before it began raining. The first mile was HARD. My legs were heavy and slow. I always start slow. I glanced at the time when my watch rang after Mile 1 and it showed 10-something. I’m learning what my body likes and it likes to warm up. By mile 2, I felt better (as usual) and saw an 8:xx pace every time I looked down the rest of the run except for on one hill. That definitely made me feel good because while I was pushing myself, I wasn’t dying.
I was curious to see what my different paces were when I got home, but my Garmin is somehow set on Multisport and all I have is the average pace for the total run of 3.35 miles (9:06). Not bad, but I was annoyed that I couldn’t dissect my stats.
Yesterday’s Fail
I was going to run during lunch yesterday. It never happened. I had on my running socks and sports bra all morning under my work clothes, and everything. But my boss came by my office and asked if he could take me to lunch. Well, that was nice! So, of course, I went to lunch and I tried not to talk about running too much. (I had my sports bra on for the entire rest of the work day. Ugh. Not fun times.)
Do you talk about running a lot? I do. It drives Mr. T crazy. I know that if the tables were turned, it would drive me crazy, too. But I can’t help it! Any advice? How can I stop blabbing away about marathons and paces? I have no self-control. Plus, I’m like Austin Powers when he comes out of the cryogenic unfreezing process: I have no inner monologue.
Wednesday’s Run
On Wednesday, I met Mel for a lunch run. I forgot to set my Garmin on the windowsill to find a satellite, so we killed time while AJII searched, and Mel took our picture. Later, I discovered I also forgot to switch it from “bike” to “running.” Argh! All this biking is screwing me up!
Team White Hats, Blue Jackets! |
Then we were off chatting away and running. Our topics ranged from Boston training (which she is running in 17 days!!!) to potty training. What do you talk about on your buddy runs?
Mel was practicing running and shooting so she can capture Boston on the move. What do you think? |
The weather Wednesday started out overcast, but changed to a dense mist halfway through. We were getting soaked and the cold drops were pricking our faces. Since we discussed taking some “action” shots on our favorite bridge later, we joked that the mist was just photo-shoot prep. Our skin will glow and be dewy! We tried to stay positive about the weather because, well, this is Seattle after all.
18 comments
I've only done 3 full marathons but I don't recall going further than 20 for my first. I might have done a 21-22 for a subsequent one but no further than that. Oh, I used a Hal Higdon plan for my first and second marathons.
The schedule I use tops out at 32km/20mi and I do two runs that long. For me the biggest challenge was getting over the fear of the last 10km. During my 2nd 32km run in my first marathon training I did an (inadvertent) extra 2km. It was just enough to get over the psychological barrier for me. I know my program doesn't recommend over 20 just because it can increase the risk of injury. I think you guys will be fine dropping the mileage down. If you find that you can run more after the fact just do it again next time (because 1 marathon is never enough!). End spiel. :)My best running friends and I talk about everything. And that means we know way more than we probably should about each other.
I haven't done a marathon yet, but a lot of the training plans I've looked at only go up to 20 or 22 for the long runs. I'm sure you'll be fine.I'm bad for remembering to put my garmin in the right mode.
i know you will do great. believe in yourself…i know i believe in you. and i am constantly talking or reading about running. i don't know if it drive anyone crazy…but, at least, i know i am talking about something positive.
Sounds like you have a good plan for your training! I don't think 26 would be necessary either, but I've only ran 1 marathon and am training for my second (May 14). I am also running Seattle RnR full (that will be my 3rd). I talk about running all the time. I'm sure I drive people crazy. But we went out to lunch today and I noticed a woman with a t-shirt from a local race, I had to ask her about it and we chatted away about races and running while our hubbies talked about beer haha. I think it was a win win convo for us and them.
There's really no need to do a 23, the most I usually go is 22, unless I really want to rack up the miles. And let's face it, I'm not exactly doing that right now – ha! Your body just takes a lot longer to recover once it gets over 20, unless you consistently do 20-milers each weekend (I know a guy who does, actually. Kinda hate him! :)).Have a great weekend!
This is the 1st I've heard of doing a full 26 in training as part of a program! I think you'll do fine with your revised one. Maybe knowing how you'll feel for 23 will give you more confidence to push harder towards the end? You'll do awesome either way.I actually don't talk about my running much unless someone asks. I've had enough not so positive replies to what little I've said to keep it to myself. I have a few people I know I can talk to about it, but besides my husband, I don't get to see them very often.Keep up the awesome work with your training!
I ran 22 miles before each of my first two marathons and did 20 before my last one and that was my longest run for the marathon I have coming up. I've been told that you don't need to do more than 22. Running 22 was important for me before my 1st marathon because I was okay mentally at 22 miles and I had enough to overcome the inevitable wall and get through to the finish. If I'd only done 20, I would have fallen apart earlier and it would have been harder to finish. I wouldn't do any more than 22 because, really, 22 and 23 is the same thing and you're just going to hurt more and possibly risk injury more.A lot of plans I've seen and probably what I'll do for my next few marathons anyway is run 18, 20 and 20-22.I talk a lot about running with my running friends – upcoming races, previous marathons, how are training's going, things like that. Quite a few of my fellow runners, for some reason, don't have kids, but when I run with a fellow parent, our kids is always a good topic as well.
Prior to using the Galloway plan, the most I have ever done is 22 before a marathon. I think with Galloway, it is more of a mental edge thing. If you have done the distance before you KNOW you can do it again. I have done it both ways, you would probably be fine stopping at 22. LOVE the Galloway method, remarkable difference in recovery and the way you feel post-race!
I'd be careful with anything beyond 20-miles, especially if you're dealing with any sort of minor injury or are prone to injury issues. My first training plan only went to 20-miles as the longest run, and I didn't have a lot of training injury issues. Second time I went with a different plan that went up to 23, and although the 23-mile run went well, I don't think I really recovered from it as I kept training, and I ended up injuring my knee. I'm not sure that the 23-mile run set me up for the injury, but looking through my training log I think it contributed. I personally think 20 is plenty, but I'd try and do 20 a couple times. I'm certainly no expert, but that was my experience. Regardless, best of luck with the rest of your training!Went to see MY RUN as well. Really thought it was well done. Posted a review on my blog too if you're interested.
I”m no expert since I've never done a full yet… but I don't remember ever seeing a plan that had you do the full 26 before race day? I think you'll be fine lowering that.Girl, I talk running all the time!! It's addictive, all-consuming some days!
I did my first marathon in November. Our training plan had 2 2o's on it, but for my new training plan I am doing a 23. More for the mental aspect. I was fine until mile 20, but the last 6 stunk….Good luck!
Hi! I would love to join you and Chelsea on Sunday! I have actually been chatting with her on twitter, so we virtually know each other 🙂 see you tomorrow.
See you in the AM Megan!
I wish I could join you guys for a run!!!I've run 20 and 22 before my marathons-but those are like marathons for me with my crazy work schedule….
I apologize in advance for any grunting that may or may not occur before we get going tomorrow Am. And thank God it takes you a while to warm up too, I am slooooow on the uptake, I am realizing
A 22 or 23 mile long run is good enough. Galloway is pretty much the only one who suggests a full 26 miles before race day, but he also suggests interspersing walking with your running to prevent injuries (because there is a higher risk of injury when running longer). I think your changes sound smart. Good luck!And I constantly talk running. I can't help it…
I remember reading somewhere the reason for the lack of runs over 20 in most training plans had to do with the increased risk of injury. On the other hand, having done a couple of those things, I think mentally, it you can do 22 or 23, the last few miles become pretty easy. I know it was a big mental issue for me at my first marathon hitting 20 miles and thinking that I had never run further before, *but* I still had a 10K left to go!