I’m not really following a strict training plan at the moment and seem to be flitting from week to week, just making stuff up as I go along. Although I’m signed up for the Shamrock Marathon in 8 weeks time (and actually a whole host of other races before marathon day!), the training I’m doing is geared towards just enjoying and completing the 26.2 mile race.
After my slack December I left it too late to run a great Spring marathon, so I’ve decided to not put too much pressure on myself and shoot for a comfortable sub-3 hour finish instead.
Looking back at last year’s running log, I started 2007 with two months of mileage around 250 miles. For the other 10 months I peaked at only 148 miles – quite a dramatic reduction and definitely a factor towards my lack of endurance base right now.
[click on the small graph for an enlarged view]
My last three weeks training have been weeks of 34, 38 and 38 miles respectively. If I can increase again by the magic 10% mark, I’ll hit 42 miles for the week and will have recorded over 150 miles in a month for the first time since February 2007. Luckily, with a 25k race on Saturday (15.5 miles plus any warm up/cool down I may do), I’ll only be looking to log about 24 miles in the remaining 5 or 6 days – very achievable and a definite must-do.
So, with that in mind, I plan to run 3 or 4 days leading up to Saturday’s race, bike a couple of evenings to compliment my running and continue with the Essential Abs Program where I’m about to start Week 5. Then, depending where I stand after the race, I’ll run again on Sunday. Hopefully it won’t need to be too far…..
Note: Graph and stats provided by RunningAhead.com – home of my online training log.
This is the most casual I’ve ever heard anyone speak of marathon training. That’s not a knock.. I’m kind of jealous that you’re able to talk about it like this.
Hey Eric,
My tone wasn’t intended to be casual. I still have the utmost respect for the classic 26.2 mile distance, but with the marathon just 2 months away, I have to face facts and admit it’s not going to be a PR attempt. Completing the race will still be a challenge and I definitely don’t want to record my first marathon DNF 🙂
The real eye-opener came when I looked at my running log from last year. At the exact same stage in my Marine Corps Marathon training I’d already completed 2 x 20 milers, 2 x 18 milers and 2 x 17 milers. I haven’t made it past 14 so far!
As nonchalant as I may have sounded, the next 8 weeks are crucial to another marathon finish and critical to success in a PR attempt later in the year.
Thanks for a great comment,
–Steve
Huh… I was actually admiring that maybe there would be a time that a marathon wouldn’t sound so crazy. But, it sounds like you are just as respectful (for lack of a better word) as me. Just sounded like you may have made it to a place where the marathon wasn’t as scary a distance. That, to me, is a very cool thought. But, maybe it’s not a rational one. I didn’t mean to demean your effort or commitment. Not at all.
Hahahaha, I like how you put that: “A casual sub 3-hour marathon.” 😉
But seriously, I do get your point & think you are just being realistic & smart about how you’re going about preparing for the Shamrock, especially given your recent mileage & overall preparation over the last few months.
Looks like you’re running this marathon as a way to stay in shape & keep up your marathoning fitness, right? And then perhaps next time, you’ll go for a PR, if that’s what you truly want to do next! As Castaway/Mister Scott (of http://run-a-bout.blogspot.com) likes to say, “Everyone’s training goals are their own.”
I think that your approach to this race shows that you possess real “racing/marathoning wisdom” as well as solid self-mastery/knowledge. You’re taking all of the factors into consideration, & I commend your approach.
When someone’s as experienced of a marathoner as you, it must feel great to know you can just “wing it.” (Please know that I’m not being sarcastic; I mean that in a good way!) Since you’ve “been there, done that” training routine so many times before, it be somewhat freeing to freestyle/improvise things! 😉
I’m very interested to hear about your Shamrock marathon experience, especially since, if I recall correctly, it’s one you enjoy & have run a few times before. And I think you said it’s also a relatively flat course as well, which makes it a good one to run for first-time or beginner level marathoners as well. Am I remembering all of this correctly? (See, I do pay attention! 😉 )
BTW, great job with your core/strength training exercises this time around! You’ve been really dedicated, & are an inspiration to the rest of us.
Enjoy the holiday today!
-C
Whoops, I meant to write “comfortable sub 3-hour marathon.” If only it sounded so comfortable to me, then I’d really be in some great shape, eh!?! 😎
Just playing around…….