Elite woman by April 2006

Fi at the Running Inn

27/05/2006 at 11:50

I'm a pt/coach, but I want motivation/inspiration from others for my own goal of becoming an elite female marathon runner (ie sub 3:15)...anyone else want to achieve this goal? I'm running Cardiff in October.

Fi at the Running Inn

27/05/2006 at 11:51

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Pantman

27/05/2006 at 13:16

I was talking to Mrs Pants about the possibility of her doing this just the last few days. But we opted for her leaving it for next year now - might be a bit tight this year.

But I will direct her to this thread...

Fi at the Running Inn

27/05/2006 at 13:44

Actually Pantman - just returned from a slow 10 miler and some thinking. Same here. Will be v tight for me. If I was my client I'd say it will take a year...But if you make the A in SMART (the acronym re: Goals - specific, measurable, achieveable, realistic, timed etc..) Aspirational and the R rash, rare, raving mad... then it might just happen. Look forward to Mrs Pants's input.

Mootoppers

27/05/2006 at 14:11

I can but dream!!

Pammie*

27/05/2006 at 16:07

We can but dream

Fi - What's your best time for the marathon, and how long have you been running for, not that i can offer much advice, considering the furthest i've done is 15 miles. But am gearing myself up towards Dublin.
Not that i'm at anywhere near that standard.

LOK

27/05/2006 at 17:17

I'm all for encouraging women to be their best

i'll never ever ever be an elite runner
but i hope you don't mind me posting

the more women that show the world that we CAN and do take sport seriously the better imho

have you read Radcliffe's autobiog?

good on you for setting a challenging goal and going for it!

LOK

27/05/2006 at 17:18

i presume the thread title should read 2007 though?

Tigger's mate Roo

27/05/2006 at 21:26

Hi Fi,
I'm going for the same goal, probably at Abingdon, which is the same day as Cardiff, but is also the British Masters champs. I may have talked to you at the FLM expo ? I'm a W50, and was aiming for 3:15 there, but failed miserably. My plan is to concentrate on speedwork - three hard sessions or 2 + a race per week till mid- July, then back to the high mileage.

Have you looked at Mike Gratton's hard training thread In the FLM section ?

Fi at the Running Inn

27/05/2006 at 23:33

Great to see all these responses. LOK - love that. And, yes, 2007 - you're correct! Tigger's mate: sounds like a good plan and it's very possible we met at the Expo, we were stand 176. Doesn't matter about FLM... keep striving. Re: Mike Gratton's thread, yeah, I've checked it out. Worked wonders for Hilly et al. I wish I could follow that sort of schedule, but kids, business etc mean I can't/choose not to. And actually lots of miles have had a detrimental effect on me in the past (I've done an ultra and just got slow with lots of miles). But I believe that it's an individual thing. Whether it's miles or intensity, psychology or phsyiology that works - we're all different. I don't think there is an absolute other than hard work and focus. I bet that every elite woman has a different schedule, but they'll all say they worked hard and wanted it badly.

Fi at the Running Inn

27/05/2006 at 23:35

Pammie - cards on the table: PBs are: 3:29 Connemara 2003; 1:35 Reading Half; and 42:49 Brighton 10k...so still a bit of work to do...

28/05/2006 at 08:54

Hello!

My long term goal is to get to the other side of 3:15 too! It always seemed a rather distant goal, but I exceeded my expectations at FLM this year with 3:15:49, so it must be possible.

My previous marathons have been:

3:54 - FLM 2004, on 4 runs per week, average 26 miles/week! One 20 mile run.
3:33 - Edinburgh 2005 on 5 runs per week, average 36 miles per week. 4 x 20+ mile runs
3:15:49 - This year's effort was on 5 runs and 2 swims per week, 44 miles per week, 7 20+ mile runs.

I'm planning to run Berlin marathon in September, but will see how the next few weeks go before daring to pin my hopes on a sub 3:15 there - I'm still not sure I've fully recovered from London!
If not then next April will be my attempt at it.

28/05/2006 at 08:56

TmR - as a W50 your task is far greater than mine (I'm 35) - RESPECT!!

Fi at the Running Inn

28/05/2006 at 09:18

K9 - Brilliant times - you'll do it. What an improvement. I'll be on a v similar schedule to your 3:15:49 one. What sort of swimming - easy or club/training session?

28/05/2006 at 09:29

Hello again!
My swimming wasn't anything as organised as a club or training session! - just lots of lengths for a time an effort similar to what I would have been doing if I'd been running instead - usually 1 to 2 miles.

I had a problem in January with my left knee - ITB I think, and really used the swimming as a means to maintain fitness whilst resting my knee. However I got to really enjoy it so carried on, and swam most Mondays instead of a recovery run, as it really loosened up my muscles. Also swam most fridays instead of a rest day, or if any other niggly injuries seemed to be rearing their ugly heads.

28/05/2006 at 09:34

Not sure what to do to get to the other side of 3:15 though!
My working hours and commitments are a problem - Oh to work 9 to 5!!
I suspect I'll need another significant jump in mileage to get to the next level, and I'm not sure I'll have the time for Berlin this year - hence the 'real effort' may have to wait until next year.

I roughly followed the RW sub 3:30 schedule by the way, but with more 20+ mile runs

Plodding Hippo

28/05/2006 at 09:55

Good luck ladies

loking at who is on here, i have no doubt you will all make it

Johnny J

28/05/2006 at 10:11

Hippo
If I post on here does that mean I'll do sub-3:15 too? Actually I only want 3:30.
JJ

Plodding Hippo

28/05/2006 at 10:13

JJ
tee hee
since when are you a laydee

28/05/2006 at 13:29

can we tempt you Hippo?

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