Shades Marathon Training

Really cold here and we've had a bit of snow too. Went on my MWLR - 8 miles - 5 at MP and 3 at HMP - wanted to up the speed a bit as didn't get out for my tempo yesterday and I am doing the Brighton HM on Sunday. Have a coupld of small blisters on the end of my toes. Don't usually get them but I think my toes swell a bit in the cold and this is what causes them.

Mowzer - a big well done, but you must be mad. I was hoping for sub 4 hours in my first marathon, but going by your calculation, I would need to get 1h 30 or less in my (first) HM on Sunday and that is never going to happen! Agree though that we marathon virgins need to respect the distance and expected the unexpected. From all I've heard, there's a big difference between 20 miles and 26 miles and I guess the marathon is different to other distances as usually the first time you run the distance is in a race (compared to say my first 10k when I had run up to 10 miles in preparation). 

Good luck to everyone else doing Brighton this weekend. I've heard that the sea breezes can be quite tough. Hope it's not wet AND windy! ALso hope they get the distance right this year as I heard that last year it was more like 13.5 miles

I did the hill session, and it was tough but it was a good session.   I should have taken my HR strap, but below is the elevation with the first 1.5 miles or so being a warmup.

Emmy - you just need to tick over inbetween races, recovery runs followed by easy runs until you feel 100% again.   What's the race after the 50km?

I'm woefully unprepared for my double marathon at the weekend but I'm not concerned.  I never normally race this early in the year so I'm hoping to just enjoy the weekend.

KingKenny - don't cycle unless that is something you normally do, just rest and walking will be fine.

Iain - eek!! both sound like tough sessions. Personally I'd go for the 2nd option, a good test of pace control.

Sofaboy - I'm so pleased you had a good run  and confidence is restored.

Sleaver - your long run pace should be at least 60 secs per mile slower than your marathon pace, and preferably slower than that.   If you train at marathon pace by race day there is nothing left in the tank.   These threads are littered with very unhappy runners that ran their long runs faster than their marathons.

Slowkoala - that's not good re the blisters. If it happens in your race we'll need to sort that before marathon day.

Short run for me today to test a new pair of shoes for Saturday's marathon.  Suddenly realised last night that for 2 races I'd need 2 pairs of race shoes and I only have one pair on the go at the moment.

Sofaboy wrote (see)

well that was exactly what i needed after sunday's abortive 18 mile LSR (struggled with 10min pace, blew out after 7 miles, came home feeling wretched).

10 mile MWLR, kept to my 10min slow pace which felt like a nice stroll (how different to sunday, same pace!!) and then caned the last 7 miles at an 8:27 average. i know i should be sticking to the schedule but i was feeling great and kind of needed the pick me up. the thing was that even at that pace i felf like i could have done a few more miles.

wierd how your mood can change so much from one run to the next. i suppose as you get more experienced you get used to these fluctuations in performance, but as a newbie it's all very strange.

SHADES wrote (see)

Emmy - you just need to tick over inbetween races, recovery runs followed by easy runs until you feel 100% again.   What's the race after the 50km?

I'm woefully unprepared for my double marathon at the weekend but I'm not concerned.  I never normally race this early in the year so I'm hoping to just enjoy the weekend.

KingKenny - don't cycle unless that is something you normally do, just rest and walking will be fine.

Iain - eek!! both sound like tough sessions. Personally I'd go for the 2nd option, a good test of pace control.

Sofaboy - I'm so pleased you had a good run  and confidence is restored.

Sleaver - your long run pace should be at least 60 secs per mile slower than your marathon pace, and preferably slower than that.   If you train at marathon pace by race day there is nothing left in the tank.   These threads are littered with very unhappy runners that ran their long runs faster than their marathons.

Slowkoala - that's not good re the blisters. If it happens in your race we'll need to sort that before marathon day.

 

Short run for me today to test a new pair of shoes for Saturday's marathon.  Suddenly realised last night that for 2 races I'd need 2 pairs of race shoes and I only have one pair on the go at the moment.

Hi Shades - I was thinking of doing some tempo sessions but i'm worried about killing my legs.

Next race after this 50km is Malta Marathon.... next weekend 

@VR - I want to be the first to tell you.... I'm doing quadzilla 2014.

I am definatly NOT doing the 2014 Zilla 2015 however is another matter

Slowkoala - yes, but now I only have two pairs suitable for racing, I've got a few doubles to do this Spring so need 2 pairs.

Keith - do you use different shoes each day when running the Quad?

Emmy - there is nothing to be gained by trying to do tempo runs when you're recovering/preparing from marathons close together..

VR and I have a 40 mile ultra on the 23rd

Today I did my first run of the year returning on the back roads as I could just see the road, scared the traffic a bit though but such a joy to get off the main roads

40 miles? All in one go? 

I guess that i'm trying to work out what to do during the race weeks. After Malta there are no marathons planned until 6th April (Paris). I have 1 10miler on 3rd March and I was planning on trying to race it at Paris Race Pace (10.13mm).

I'm trying to work out which shoes to use for the london ultra this weekend. They're saying: road and trail are acceptable but be aware of the weather conditions. I'm not sure about London and there's nothing indicated on the website. I'm hoping it wont be too muddy!

Yes! all in one go! On a cycle path in Wales. I think i'm going to get bored!

Emmy - Good girl! You can do it! The Quad that is and this weekend. Good luck. perhaps find out from past race reports what other folk wore on their feet? 

I used different trainers for the 2 Quads I did. It does help.
                                       

Thanks VR - i'm definitely going to be asking for help nearer the time for advice! I think the doubles and triples this year will really help prepare my legs.

40 miles in wales?... you're both crazy

Emmy - you need those weeks for training especially as you want to knock out a PB or two

yeah i used 2 pairs alternating them each day, i was changing them immediatly post race before going into the pub tio avoid dragging mud everywhere

One pair is over 550 and the other is on erm 360. Getting a new pair on saturday though.

Keith M Stuart wrote (see)

I am definatly NOT doing the 2014 Zilla 2015 however is another matter

I was planning on having an eating session with you.... We'll have to do it at an upcoming Enigma instead!

Signed up for only the summer triple crown so far. Still got a full golden ticket to use though and i'm yet to plan my years racing.

Keith - and was that your Brooks GTS shoes that you use for racing?

Packing etc this morning, off at about 9am, back on line Monday evening or maybe Tuesday morning

the lower mileage pair is actually trance but essentially yes as i have only ever used Brooks GTS the last several years. God knows what i'll get on saturday though NB equivalents would be useful as the factory is kinda close to me after all

I do use my old ones for when i go down muddy routes or on the rare muddy race asthen its so simple to just throw them out afterwards instead of weashing them

looking forward to sunday, weather looks good.. knee still niggling but physio says good to go so i'm going!!

I want new shoes! wedding saving is very inconvenient

i can do royal parks half this year if i want as i got a spot via the ballot but i need to register by 5.30pm today. Thing is it's £46! Is it worth it for a half? Seems a bit steep - how much are they normally? Is there something really special about it which means that i should do it?