should i do this lsr or not

i am in the middle of a marathon training plan.

getting to the hard weeks-46 miles this week inc 2 speed/hill sessions

tomorrow I have a 18 mile run planned-longest so far was 17 miles last weekend but my legs really ache. the not a pain anywhere but an ache especially in my thigh muscles. Just go up 2 flights of stairs and the muscles burn like i had sprinted up them??

Is it normal to have this with increased millage and should I do the LSR? must admit it is the first run I can honestly say I am not lucking forward to, I can knock out 13 miles @7.45 pace week in week out and have for years in training but uping the distance is giving me beginers pains??

Should I miss the LSR, Should i knock off 1 of the 2 mid week quality sessions?

Any one gone through the same and can help

oh yes and also i have never hydrated on a run upto 15 miles under 2 hours but as the time / distance increase I am looking at hydrating during a run-just bought a camlebak 1.5l tried it on a 9 mile run the other day seems ok but a bit anoying any one have a better suggestion

could be too many hard sessions in the week.2 hill. sprint sessions and long run.are the other runs easy sessions and is the long run at a slower pace.

 could be a combination.........I personally think the long runs are the most important one in the week and would cut back on the speed sessions first......

options for long runs are to either take in a shop on route or doshorter laps than means you can drop into the house...or wear a camel back waist or back pack......

thanks both

Yes maybe too fast long run, My marathon aim?????

My HM training time is 1:35 is have run 10+ last year at that pace have not run a HM race for over a year, My 10k PB IS 41 Mins a couple of weeks ago.

I know most have a marathon goal then start training I was going to see how training went then set a goal as I go into tapper.

My LSR are run between 7:50 and 8:10 pace but as I said upto know the have been mostly 13 miles a few upto 15 miles and 1 17 miles

Agree with JeremyG on pacing (I'm also similar times to you both and 8:30 is around my long run pace).

One of the resons behind the training schedules is to run the long run slower on tired legs to simulate running faster on fresh legs.  So its not uncomon to have stiff legs at the start of it.  When its happened to me, I've tended to find my legs loosen up after a few miles.

As you have been running too fast you may be more tired than is good for you (i.e. over training). Why not plan a 20 mile route that involves running multiple laps (e.g. 5 x 4 mile loops, or 4x 5 mile loops) and you then have an escape option?  Half the battle in marathon training is reaching the start line fit & healthy - so no point pushing too far and risking injury at this point.

Also, for your other point about the camelbak - I have one that I use for runs over 15 miles, it does feel oddd at first but you do get used to it.  One trick is to turn the bladder upside down after filling with water, and then squeeze the air out through the drinking tube (i.e. squeeze the bladder whilst holding the bite valve open).  This will get rid of the annoying sloshing of water back & fore  whilst you are running.

Thanks again everone for the advice

good tip stutyr on the camelbak will try that next time

stutyr just reread your post, running LSR on tired legs simulates running faster on post tapper legs. got it !! the penny is starting to drop-only ways struggle with the theory of why run a LSR so much slower than marathon pace and how I can up the pace on the day.

Think my problem at the moment is I am running the LSR to fast-would be pleased with first marathon in just under 3:30 so 8:00 pace am running LSR at this.

Delayed todays LSR 18 miles will run it in the morning will stick to 9:00 pace, if I can always found this slow and find my running style chages and feels awkward

I wouldn't say you need to go as low as 9:00 as I know what you mean about style. 8:20-8:40 should be fine.

ok did the run in 8:32 avarage pace. Was a hilly route 1,400 feet of climb so felt quite difficult, but controlled and now 10 hours after (and a day walking round the shops with the family) feel ok.

Quite happy with that but can I find much extra pace over a further 8 miles in 6 weeks???

As the run was hilly I was also trying to monitor heart rate this ranged from 130-160. Avararged out at 146.

My max is around 190 (42 yr old male) and resting is 50ish. 

Any suggestion on heart rate for long runs?

White peak marathon.

Not sure a great choice for my first but I am not a fan of large particiption events and as there is  a couple of hundred limit so its no London

As the run was hilly I was also trying to monitor heart rate this ranged from 130-160. Avararged out at 146.

My max is around 190 (42 yr old male) and resting is 50ish. 

Any suggestion on heart rate for long runs?

Your HR range and average sound good for a LSR.   I'm following the Pfitzinger & Douglas plan from their book "Advanced Marathoning" and their recommendation for the LSR is 65% to 78% of HR range - which for you is between 141 and 159 bpm. 

You could probably increase your average HR to 150 (and therefore your pace) if you were finding the pace too slow in that run.  Also, one of their tips that I've found beneficial is to try and gradually build the pace throughout the run - nothing too drastic but a gradual increase, so that each five mile segment is slightl faster than the previous.