quote:<HR>Originally posted by runramy:
I was mostly OK til the 10 mile mark. Actually, til 11.5 miles. I had one 12 mile training run (I used the coolrunning beginner program, since they say it is designed for runners trying to run 2:00), and that was the longest. I know I skipped at least 3 miles a week on the training plan, and I do believe that cost me a lot. DH uses the same plan to run with me, and he was great through 10 miles and then crashed and burned during the last 5K.
I just felt like I ran out of gas.<HR>
Sounds like some longer long runs will help with that. FWIW, here's what my 1/2 marathon and marathon racing history looks like (I'm leaving out a half dozen or so 10 and 12k races):
01/26/03: 1:56:54 (Home Depot 1/2 Marathon)
10/26/03: 2:02:50 (Jungle Run 1/2 Marathon)
12/07/03: 4:22:22 (California International Marathon)
02/01/04: 2:00:10 (Home Depot 1/2 Marathon)
01/08/05: 1:48:12 (Ocean Isle Beach 1/2 Marathon)
01/30/05: 4:15:42 (Miami Tropical Marathon)
09/04/05: 1:42:29 (RnR 1/2 Marathon)
I used Hal Higdon's Novice program for the first half marathon. This was after I had been running for about 6 months. I think my goal was 2 hours. The Jungle Run was a "tune-up" race as part of my training for the CIM. I used HH's Novice program for that as well. My goal for the CIM was 4:20. I ran the second Home Depot 1/2 on basically zero training ... took most of Dec/Jan off for recovery. I think a calf cramp at the end of that one slowed me down.
The OIB was a tune-up for the Miami Tropical. I don't recall which HH program I used for the MTM but my goal was 4 hours. It was probably the Novice program again. Unfortunately I took all of December off from training and only got in a single 20 mile long run. I probably shouldn't have run the MTM at all but my excellent results in the OIB convinced me I could do it. I finished with a PR but went out way too fast (went out at 9 minute pace but ended up walking lots of the last 8 miles...). I chalk up my good results in the OIB to the marathon training I was doing for the MTM.
Right now I'm doing the HH Advanced I training program for the Cape Cod. My goal time had been 4 hours, but I've since revised it to 3:45 and I'm considering revising it again to 3:36 (8:15 pace). Clearly all the speed training has really helped my pace. The last few weeks I haven't followed the HH Advanced I to the letter, subbing in equivalent swimming time for the short days (e.g, instead of running 4 miles, I swim for 40 minutes). I did this due to my previously mentioned achillles issues. I think this will give me the extra rest I need w/o compromising fitness.
One week before the RnR I completed a 20 mile long run on Sunday which followed a 10 mile run the day before. I then took the rest of the week off. I ran an easy 6.5 miles the day before the RnR. But even with that I still faded a bit that last 2 miles. I chalk this up to two things: 1) going out a little fast. 2) heat.
During all of this I've steadily (but slowly) lost weight. I was almost 190 before I started running. I'm 155 now. I'd like to be no more than 150 on race day in October.
I do most of my training on a treadmill. Weekend runs are at Umstead/ATT as weather allows. I wont run outside anymore with the dew point over 70, though thankfully it looks like we don't have to worry about that anymore this year.
As long as I'm sharing, I may as well throw down the gauntlet. I set a goal about 18 months ago to qualify for the Boston before I'm 40. I turn 34 this Dec 24th. I now think I can qualify for the 07 Boston by running a 3:15:59 qualifying race sometime next year. If I am able to do that, my next goal will be to run a sub-3 marathon. After that, I think I'll be pretty durn happy to just maintain my fitness level, though a few co-workers have been trying to convince me to do an olympic distance triathlon.
Anywho ... I'm not sure any of that will be a help to you at all, but I was in a sharing mood.
j.
/avatar;jsessionid=CE986A47256C479FF608543E8118E9D6/46.png?a=-1 "Click to view Jay Soffian (Cool Running)'s profile"){kind=small}
But I kind of use the time to walk instead of getting the water down and going. I think I stopped 4-5 times, but skipped at least 3 water stops during the race.
