Let's Talk Marathons

Originally posted by fgump

Myrtle Beach in a month.  Been following the same Pfitz-Douglas 55/18 plan I used for Shamrock '09, Boston '10, and Charleston '13.  I've been sore this round, but able to hit most of my targets.  My one screwup is that I've really not been factoring in nutrition on the long runs like I should have.  I plan to dial that in over the next 4 weeks.  Mileage has really only peaked at like 52 miles, although next week is planned for 53, then 50, 34, and 43 race week (including the 26.2).  

I've been able to hold pretty much any pace I throw at the legs, and have been smart about resting when I needed to, moving runs around, instead of strictly adhering to the plan.  Net effect has been good.  With 4 weeks to go, I am at 73% of my planned miles for this 18 weeks (have run 600.5 of the expected 821.2 miles, which include the race itself).  That's pretty good.

I'm feeling more confident at this point than I did for Charleston 2 years ago, and I went just a tick over 3:15 on a windy, twisty course there.  Hoping the wind stays down for Myrtle, unlike last year.

Originally posted by d00d sore b/c of the plan? i looked it over and there are a few similarities with the Higdon plan. I didn't think the higdon plan had enough miles, though, so have added some here and there. it's funny that this time around (this'll be my 3rd standalone marathon), I don't feel nearly as beat up as when i was training for my first two (wrightsville beach '12 and boston '13), yet mileage is higher and efforts (intensity) are harder. what's your nutrition plan look like? i've had pretty good success with UCAN. one serving 30 mins before a long run, and another about halfway through. oh, and water.

Originally posted by qrkid

I am planning on a few.

Back training after a 1 year hiatus from activity. I think father time is catching up to me a little because I do not feel I am gaining fitness as quick as in the past. For this reason I have pushed my 1st race back about 5 weeks, Was originally going to race Tobacco Rd. Half but I am now planning on just using it as a training run and going to try and race 5 weeks later at the Flying Pirate HM in Kill Devil Hills.

I use my own plan for training but tend to utilize idea's from Renato Canova and Tom Schwatrz when putting it together.

I am planning on a marathon debut later this year. Sounds funny that I will be making my 1st attempt at a marathon at my advanced age. At the moment I am leaning towards having a go at the Richmond Marathon in mid November. Will come up with my own plan for that as well.

Originally posted by fgump

 

Sore 'cause I'm getting old!  Plan's fine.  Nutrition will be a Gu gel every 5 or so miles depending on how I feel, and alternating water/gatorade until the gatorade stops going down, then water.  

Originally posted by louiskie

Ha, y'awl know what I've been up to (everyone who has responded to this thread so far). Here are my thoughts:

- Training for only one event (a run) has been so much easier time-wise than trying to constantly squeeze in a workout here and there for 3 disciplines. Having said that, I have relatively modest goals for my first marathon so not stressing too much. But having said that, I am pretty competitive with myself so I have secret goals :-)
- Father time has caught me too. I am plain old slow these days. Its a little sad but again, running was never something i really prided myself on so I am not too worried (I first ran more than 2 miles by choice in college- before that was various sports but no running for the sake of running).
- Not feeling very beat up at all, except for my ongoing ligament issue. Everything else feels OK- far less beat up than when training for my one-and-only IM race several years ago.
- qrkid, your training looks strong to me! If you don't race TRM though, you don't get as much biltong! Slacker!
- fgump, your training looks strong to me!
- d00d, your training looks strong to me!
What is left to do? Last 6 or so big weeks of training and hopefully I can extend the time to pain in my leg. Endurance-wise I feel like I can plod along all day on those long, slow runs!

Originally posted by qrkid

d00d you better eat a cheeseburger. I know I am getting old and my memory is not what it used to be (shut up Louskie) but I remember your wife being pretty slim.

Originally posted by louiskie



Not sayin' anything other than you're treading on very thin ice Daryn, commenting on d00d's wife :-)

Originally posted by d00d



rules are rules. i may have to eat that cheeseburger.

btw, i'm joining the ranks of the m40-44 ag this year...i guess i should expect the mind to start failing? :P

Originally posted by d00d



rules are rules. i may have to eat that cheeseburger.

btw, i'm joining the ranks of the m40-44 ag this year...i guess i should expect the mind to start failing? :P

Originally posted by smoom



I was going to write a smart reply to that but I forgot what I was going to say.

Originally posted by qrkid

d00d

Is there a particular reason you do the yasso's?

Originally posted by d00d



qrkid, they're on the plan i'm following, but more importantly, i've done them in the past and feel that they help increase strength and mental fortitude. i also like to do them as a general way to monitor fitness gains during a marathon training cycle.

Originally posted by louiskie



You mean:

qrkid, they're a way to show slower people just how freakin' fast I am ;-)

Originally posted by d00d



stop traveling so much and put in the work to get faster, you bum! :P

Originally posted by smoom

Oh I rock the yassos. I really like some of the other Dr. Seuss workouts as well... spooties, snoggles, cruffets...

Originally posted by louiskie



Lol. I find I am better at yodeling than yassos. Its like the woodchuck thing:
How many yaks can a yodeler yasso if a yasso yodels a yak?