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2 Replies Last post: Nov 9, 2007 9:59 AM by Guest  
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Nov 8, 2007 6:08 PM

Help re: training interruption

I was targeting a sub-5 hour pace at Marathon of the Palm beaches on 12/2 when a death in the family caused me to run only about 5 or 6 three to four mile runs over the two weeks ending Tuesday. I'd appreciate any thoughts on how (and if) to manage my remaining training to maximize my change of meeting my goal.

Background on 20+ mile long runs:
9/9 - 21 miles, time unknown
9/30 - 20 mile race, about 3:40
10/21 - 23 miles, about 4:20, struggled last few miles

I did 6 yesterday and 8 today, planning 4 Saturday and maybe 16 or 20 Sunday. Is there some # that if I can't reach I should write off Palm Beach now?

Long runs for remaining 2 weeks pre-marathon might be 15 and 10. Also my other runs would normally drop to 4-6-4 beginning next week, but wondering if I should hold 4-8-4 for at least one more week given what I've missed.

Hard to understand how to taper and build back up at the same time! Any and all thoughts appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Click to view RunNormRun's profile Amateur 31 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
1. Nov 9, 2007 9:10 AM in response to: Guest
Re: Help re: training interruption
If you've hit 23 and 20 already, you have the base built. Two week reduction in miles may actually work in your favor for muscle recovery so I say stick to the original plan and listen to what your body tells you. 4:59:59 is a sub 5 and as I remember reading is "All great battle plans change upon first contact with the enemy" - be flexible.

My personal experience on something like this is similar in that I had an unexpected event impact my ability to train for a couple of weeks in the back third of my training. At that time my long run was only 20. I ran a PR for that marathon. May have been just me, but it worked out ok.

Hope this helps and good luck on the Palm Beaches marathon.
Guest
2. Nov 9, 2007 9:59 AM in response to: Guest
Re: Help re: training interruption
Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing the personal experience!