Abingdon Marathon

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  • I use the HRM + Garmin all the time.  I do not really on it in training or racing. I now know what tempo feels like and what easy feels like.

    However i do use the data whgen downloading to fetch.

    At the moment the beats per mile is normally 1250-1350 depending on how hot it is. If its at the top end of that scale or higher I need a rest, short easy run the next day and/or more sleep. If I do that I find my next run goes far better and I am back on it.

    Also I use it to gauge my MP by HR. There is a graph on fetch that shows average speed for HR - it puts a straight line through all runs for the last x Months.  ( you choose). I look at training for the last 1 month and use the graph to ascertain/confirm MP I plan to run at looks possible, basically it does not help in the actual race - but adds confidence before the race.

    Its also good to see fitness improvments. When I started runninga  couple of years ago Beats per mile were 1500. So an improvment of a 1/6th is nice to see !!

    Sorry for rambling !!

  • Just thought I would check in to wish everybody good luck in their training.

    I am still not nailed on 100% to run this one as my wife is due to give birth three weeks before, I will have to see how it goes but will start the training anyway.

    After a promising start to the year London turned into a bit of a disaster (again), a few ill advised 5.20 to 5.10 min miles and it was game over by the 18 mile mark. Anyway 6 weeks off  work now so time to crank up the mileage and see what happens.

    My take on Garmins/ HR monitors is that they are great for training but if you are paying too much attention to them during races then you really could be trying harder. 

     

  • MG– impressive weekly mileage, although you may be a bit tired now, come October you will reep the benefits.  Must admit I cannot get my mind around MP of 6.30!   Although I do not abstain during marathon training, my alcohol consumption is quite insufficient. Mostly running in the morning puts pay to any significant partying at night…at least until after Aboimage

    Meep – good speedy session

    CFB – good effort in the heat

    Luvas – while in the middle of marathon training, you get those races where it does not happen. Having said that, it is still a good time in this heat.  As FW pointed out, you have 3 months to get to the boil.

    I do not use a HRM myself, and run on feel and what pace my Garmin is telling I am running at, although often I can tell how hard I am working purely based on my level of breathing. 

    Jamesito –welcome back, and best wishes for the new baby.

    Very warm at 7.30 this morning for my run, glad I am not running tonight.

  • I did use a hrm a while back but found my zones related to times so I just go by times now ie an easy run will be just around the 8:00 min/miles. Otherwise I am a slave to my garmin, in training and races. I use the pace option more than anything.

    Luvsa I wouldn't be concerned about a race in the middle of marathon training you are putting in decent mileage probably no taper your months of were you want to peak anyway!!

    Jamesito 5:20 and 5:10 miling, blimey what time were you aiming for that is seriously fast!!!
  • Jamesito  - Were you aiming to run Abo or win it, that is v quick. Hopefully you'll make it.

    I used a HR monitor for a while and became a bit fixated with it, since my return from injury I have n't bothered with it.   I  just use pace per mile as a guide to effort. Regarding Garmins and racing, my best ever 10k, 39:36(those were the days), was Garmin less as it pissed it down just before the start and my Garmin was going bonkers cause the bezel was wet. Talking of Garmin anyone else having problems uploading to Garmin Connect?

    Plan for today called for 1600m x 3 with 1min recovery,too bloody hot to be doing mile repeats outside so hit the tready, not sure if it was any cooler but at least the sun was n't beating down on me, 3 K WU then the repeats at 15kmh pace, at least it kept the pace even, rather than doing the first one too quick then dying on the last.

  • FrazerelliFrazerelli ✭✭✭
    I seem to recall jamesito coming second last year?? Time to pull your socks up sirimage !!



    Nice treadmill session Barry. I always find them a bit of a swety unpleasant affair but sometimes needs must



    11 for me today with 8@ 6.45 - felt fairly controlled and a helluva lot better than sunday's nasty run
  • Nice running Fraser. Is 6:45 your MP?? Got a MP run myself tomorrow going to try a 12 1 mile warm up the rest at 6:30's. Had an easy 4 this morning and a supposed easy 6 tonight but went to club night and ended up going a bit too fast (to be sociable) and did a lumpy 7. Anyway came through unscathed just hope it hasn't affected tomorrows session!!
  • FW - Second it was indeed, I bottled the sprint finish and then turned a nasty shade of blue. Happy memories. I seem to remember you had a good run there.

    BB - I have no targets at all for this one, just see how I feel on the day.

    Couple of easy runs today an 8 and a 9 nice and slow. I need to burn off some lard before doing anything zippy Lots of big clouds of nasty flies to run through though, swallowed a fair few.

  • Thanks for all the feedback re HRMs.image

    I'll probably fart around with mine until either:- a) the novelty wears off,or b) I find it brings no improvement to performance, or c) both a) & b).

    I'm no brave Kenyan, so waited til the sun went down before I snook out to do a comfortable 14 miler in 1hr 52mins.  If anyone's interested, max heart rate was 144.

    Track tomorrow.  I wonder how warm it'll be around 6:45pm.  And will I be brave enough to attempt 6x 1 mile reps off 2 min recoveriesimage

  • Jamesito - I remember you coming second at Abo, and starting London when ill last year. I hope you recovered from that quickly. Congratulations on the impending

    No running today as I had to be at a (work) training thing in Maidenhead an hour after work - I cycled to it though, and got there early, so added a little out and back to Bray to fill the spare 15 minutes. I am reaching that point in the year where Mrs C starts to tut and shake her head at the weekly mileage - she firmly believes marathon running is mental.

    Luvsa, your HR is only relevant when compared to your personal maximum and resting HR - this link made sense to me, but I would be interested in what the more experienced (& faster) runners here think

    http://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm1.htm

    Trail race tomorrow at Broadmoor.5 & a bit miles, and should be nice and warm

  • FrazerelliFrazerelli ✭✭✭

    MG15 - Haven't settled on MP yet. Would hope to be a bit faster than 6.46 but we shall see.....

    CFB- Mrs C is prob entirely right. Enjoy the trail race

    Lovely day up here - just the trifling irritation of a day at work to get through then go out to play in the sun for a bit

  • Fraser we could well be running together at some point along with dart more lol.

    Did a 12 this morning before breakfast with 1 mile warm up followed by 11 miles @ MP. Splits were 7:48 (warm up) 6:37, 6:38, 6:34, 6:20, 6:27, 6:18, 6:28, 6:20, 6:30, 6:20 and 6:50 (uphill). Felt ok took a while to get going but maybe that was the time of day. Not particularly impressed with the consistency too fast is worse than too slow IMO so that's something that needs work on also was pretty tired towards the end but it was a better effort than the last MP effort. Got some physio booked tomorrow to sort my groin issues which are nearly there and that'll be followed by my long run which is 22 this week.
  • mee meepmee meep ✭✭✭

    Your training looks to be going really well Martin, very nice 11MP miles there, and following it up withh 22 tomorrow, not in the heat hopefully? Fraser also with 8 @MP, agree with the irritation of work, would be a lot easier if that 105million Friday night had my name on it image

    Jamesito 5:10-5:20 within a marathon makes my head hurt, Your marathon pace = my 1500 pace, on a good day, downhill, with the wind!

    Good luck with the trail race Chillies, lovely evening for it.

  • Lol mee meep. If only I got absolutely drenched this morning it was bucketing down, but on the plus side no wind. So for running conditions I'd take that every time. For looking after children in the school holidays not so ideal!!

    We don't tend to get much sun up these parts unfortunately and seeing everyone on the beach down south makes me a tad jealous.image
  • Nice miles at mp there MG.  Must build confidence for the main event ahead.

    Back from the track & I gave the 1 mile reps ago.  The humidity definitely made it feel harder.  Managed 4 at 5:38,5:59,5:58 & 6:05.  Glad to get them over with as the body was feeling it, illustrated by the drop off in times.

    Not sure what to do tomorrow.  Probably another easier run around 14 miles.  Long run planned for Sun. Should hit 60 miles this week.  Last 10k race before Abo is next Weds, then should be all clear to hit the 70 mile mark in full-mara training swing!

    Chillies- Hope your race went okimage  My max heart rate works out at 176.  Tonight I hit 157-160 at some point, which is 90% & felt like it!

     

  • Luvsa, Meep - that race was hot - not a great time, but within 30s of my last outing over the trip, and on the two trips up the steep hill I really went for it and got my HR up to all but 100% (174 on  a 176 estimated max - the highest I've ever reached)

    Hope everyone else enjoyed the heat and humidity this evening image

  • BB - well done on the treadmill repeats. arguably tougher in this hot weather.

    FW/Martin - good fast runs. Martin don't be too jealous, my garden thermometer, which is in direct sunlight, late yesterday morning reach 40 degrees.

    CFB - I have same problem with my Mrs. My sanity is often questioned as to why I or anyone would run a marathon..my answer 'because it's there' does not aways go down too wellimage      Sounds like a tough trail race, and good workout if your HR was at 100%

    Luvs - fast reps, especially after the race on Sunday. I assume you are still looking for a sub 39 in your next 10K on Wednesday.

    11 miles (av 8.05) for me yesterday morning, followed by a 1 hour Fartlek this morning incorporating 10x90sec efforts. Certainly slightly cooler today.

     

  • Yeah my OH does n't get marathon running either but I don't get horoscopes and all the rest of that stuff.image

    Chillies - Good effort on your race, can't ask for much more than max HR.

    Luvsa -  Impressive reps in this heats, points to a quick 10K

    Fraser - Nice MPish miles.

    AC - Glad it was cooler for you,  how many times are  you running a week.

    MG - Impressive 11 miles.

    Too hot again for running outside this afternoon, driving home from work at 2 O'clock temp showed 31 degrees C so headed straight for the "cool" of the gym. Only cool place at the gym seems to be the changing rooms.  2 miles WU 3 miles at 6:38 and 1 mile WD, v sweaty at the end.

  • Decided on a rest day today.  The heat being an obvious factor.  Should finish on 60 for the week, culminating in the long run Sunday of 24 miles.

    Chillies-100% of heart rate!! That's impressive{or scary!image}  Hope the recovery goes ok after you gave every thing for the cause.  Save a bit for next Wedsimage

    AC-An hour's effort in the current heatwave is going to feel like a major workout.  Would love sub 39 next week, considering same 10k last year was done in 37:05image

    BB-If I could transfer current training paces over to race performances, i'd be a v. happy bunny.  Surely it's gotta cool down soon! 

  • Well it was a whopping 18 degrees here not a single glimpse of blue sky tho the clouds were in the way lol.

    Luvsa how are you going to attack your 24? Is it the only one you do and I take it the longest run?? I've to one planned in fourish weeks it's my longest one and longest ever training run but it's on the plan so getting done. I think I'll set off a bit slower than usual.

    Today I did my planned 22 in 2:34:31. Average pace bang on 7:00 min/miles which I'm quite happy as all my long ones seem to be consistent and I was a bit worried with the extra couple of miles!! First 11,1 1:19:13 second 11, 1:15:18 so negative split. I was pretty whacked in the last half mile but there's still a long way to go yet and happy with progress so far.

    Barry my gym is roasting too, there's air con but it doesn't work too well I always get filthy looks of the perfectly manicured ladies for dripping sweat all over their treadmills lolimage

    Got a couple of 6 and 4 doubles at easy pace th next two days but shifts are making them difficult to fit in does anyone think it would matter if I did two straight 10's at easy pace??
  • MG-I never 'attack' the 20+ mile runs.  I always try to 'enjoy' them as long, slow affairs.  The objective being 'time on feet'.  They come out around 3:20-3:35, so 8-9mm.  I think if I did them faster, I'd probably struggle to recover quickly enough to be able to hit the 70 miles per week target.  What I will do closer to Abo are specific runs of 10 miles @ mp to hopefully make sure it's not a shock to the system!

    I see you can handle specific mp sessions plus long runs @ mp minus 30 secs, so I'd say you must be in good shape for 2:45-2:50?  I rarely do doubles, standard run is 14miles, so I'm sure you could manage consecutive 10 miles easyimage

  • P.S. I will do a 24 miler every week up until taper time unless there's another race in the same week.

  • MG, Luvsa, -  wow! I know I maybe don't run quite as seriously as most do on these threads, and I am only targeting sub 3:30 at Abo rather than a PB (3:23) or even a 3:15 GFA, but you make me feel like a right lightweight!

    My heaviest training was for last year, at which I did the Spitfire 20 race, one other 20, a handful of 15 - 18 milers and a couple of half races, including Henley the week before. I only went over 50 miles for 2 weeks.

    I raced the 20 at half mara pace for the first 12 and then slowed to MP +30s for the last 8. The rest I just ran to how I felt - though I did, and do, try to do progressive 3 mile blocks on my serious mid-distance runs (12 - 15 miles, with  the last 3 much  slower as a warm down)

    I do just make it up as I go along though!

  • MG - you KNOW those manicured, pedicured, coiffeured and er, Range-rover-icured ladies love to watch you sweat image

  • mee meepmee meep ✭✭✭

    Sounds like you had a good race then Chillies, was it in Crowthorne?

    Like the effort of the first mile rep Luvsa image Im sure your 10k times will start reflecting your training sooner rather than later.

    Nice looking 22 there Martin, pretty swift as well, without putting to much pressure on you, i bet your marathon time is going to get a serious bashing! You looking forward to the 5m race Sunday?

  • FrazerelliFrazerelli ✭✭✭

    MG - That's a cracking 22 at this stage. Don't peak too soon now ! Plenty of time still. It's difficult fitting around shifts etc but IMHO the point of a 6 + 4 double day is recovery. You won't really achieve that doing 10 all atone. Better to sacrifice the mileage a bit and maybe just do the 6 each day. You're not going to lose anything by missing the two 4s out but it just might compromise things for the proper quality sessions when they come round

    Agree with Luvsa that almost the slower the better for the truly long ones over 20 - they should be all about testing the system to cope with time on feet from point of view of energy levels etc etc. Interested to see you're planning a failry monster 24 every week. Can I ask why that long and not more conventional 20 or so ??? Has endurance been an issue for you in previous races ?

    I think your make-it-up-as-you-go-along campaign looks pretty well thought out Chillies. You'll be weighing out your carbs next !!

    Track for me this aft to try to run fast for a bit.

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