Cobbles & Red Wine - Sarah’s Paris Marathon Plan: Sub 3:35

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  • Hi Angela I got a PB at a half marathon last sunday. The week before I run 20 miles @ 40 min/ml slower than my marathon pace. I had a 4 day rest from running before the half due to work commitments and going on holiday, but I did do alot of walking on the two days before the race.



    Good luck with your training and races
  • Evening Sarah!

    Your trail race sounds fun! Let me know how you get on … and good luck!! image

    I’d like to knock another minute or so off of the Dorney time … but conditions were so perfect that I don’t want to take a new PB at Silverstone for granted! When you say determined and focused you actually mean ‘bloodyminded’, right?image

  • Evening Angela,

    Ha ha! I’d like to add Boston … but don’t want to count my chickens just yet …!! Cold is still hacking and horrible, but I don’t feel as ill as I did yesterday and don’t seem to be coughing as much so hoping I’m on the mend!

    Good luck for your race-pace run tomorrow!! I hope it goes really well – let me know how you get on!!

  • Evening Steve Marathon Coach,

    Cough seems to be a bit better today and I’m not feeling so ill which is a relief and I’m going to jump back into the schedule tomorrow.

    Not going to be able to get to a parkrun but I’ve got a nice 5k trail route so I’ll have a quick run around that. I’ve arranged to do the 22 miler in laps on Sunday, so if I’m really not feeling great I can still get a few laps done but I won’t be stuck in the middle of nowhere.

    It's a bit irritating about the cough but apart from that I don't have any lingering niggles and went back to the physio on Thursday for a final check on the back and all is good. So I just need to get rid of the cough!! image

  • hahaha....I wasnt going to say it!



    Will let you know how I get on tomorrow but im not going to be racing it full pelt....its going to be a gentle push I think!



    I know how much you will be wanting to get back running but try to make sure that your cough has fully resolved before you do. I ended up having a month out last year and 4 weeks of antibiotics which I dont think was helped by me going back too early when I still had traces of a cough. I ended up so ill at the end, at one point I thought I had given myself chronic fatigue as I felt exhausted for ages...luckily I didnt.
  • Hi Steve and Sarah! Thanks a lot for te advice- I like the idea of building the long runs up a bit faster and then taking a step back- I actually took a day off on Monday after next weekend to fit the 15 in, so why not do 17 then!



    I would like to say that I' be fine just switching the weeks around but despite havif done 2 marathons befor, I don't have much experience of long runs beyond 14ish miles, so I'd rather take the time to recover some more before the half mara- whilst not the primary goal, I do wanna break my pb over that distance that was set in 2010!
  • Good luck Angela with the long runs and HM.



    Hi Sarah, I really enjoyed Belvoir challenge today, was so nice to be off road and in muddy fields rather than pounding more concrete pavements. I took it quite steady, put pushed it slightly more than I would a training run. I managed 14.6 miles in 2:09 mins despite endless styles. I didnt feel out of breath once and spent the whole race passing people...a good boost to my confidence.



    How are you feeling today?
  • Hi Sarah, wow, looking at that post u can tell I was on the train home after 2 glasses of red! D'oh!

    I promised RRR I'd tell her about my run today. My half mara target is 1:57" which is 2 mins off my pb-I think if half was the goal I'd be aiming for faster, but I don't want to push it too hard, as I'm potentially doing another half a month later, so another pb thenimage. My marathon isn't until May 12th



    So, was aiming for 8:56 pace as that's my target for Colchester half... I actually couldn't keep it that slow until the last mile and ended up averaging at about 8:45- I actually think I managed my 10k pb (just) in this run, though I can't be sure- wish I could find a 10k local enough that I can just go and test that theory out, but here's my splits:



    Mile 1: 8:39

    Mile 2: 8:49

    Mile 3: 8:31

    Mile 4: 8:52 ( had to stop the garmin at a particularly long wait traffic lights, and had a few roads to cross, this messed with pacing for this mile

    Mile 5: 8:47

    Mile 6: 8:47

    Mile 7: 8:50 - trying to make the distance up before having to stop for traffic lights so lots of turning around in this mile, shame because had it been straight and flat out I really would have pushed it.



    So I went out a little fast, and mile 3 was the fastest, but other than that fairly even. I did feel like I could have done maybe 1 more mile at this pace today, but clearly in the race I wouldn't have gone to a party the night before, with 2-3 glasses of wine, and fatty party food. Also, I probably would take a gel on a half marathon, so all in all, today's run has given me a lot of confidence for the race, and tomorrow, I'll be doing a 14-15 mile lsr to give me extra confidence for the distance...



    Did u feel well enough to run today RRR?
  • Glad your feeling better Sarah , I did the parkrun today ( 20:28 ), I've got 20 to do tomorrow so touch wood every thing will go well , I'm going to try the gels for the first time so hopefully they won't have a adverse effect on me.
  • well run Angela - yes if you can run that pace on your own, then when you are in a race situation you should be able to maintain it. Good parkrun Derrick - a bit quicker than I managed.

  • Evening Sarah!

    Sounds like a fun run – I much prefer tracks and fields to pavements … even if there’s mud and water to contend with! image Well done!! Sounds as though you did really well!! (Does happy dance for Sarah!)

    I’m still feeling rubbish. Went out for a run earlier and it wasn’t much fun even though it was very slow.

  • Evening Angela!

    Woo woo!! Fab run!! Bet that’s given you a real confidence boost … especially managing a new 10k PB in there too! Well done!!

    I’ve just come back from a 5 mile run but it was horribly slow and it wasn’t very comfortable with the cough!

  • Evening Derrick,

    Great parkrun time! Hope your 20 goes well tomorrow and you get on ok with the gels. Which ones are you trying out? Let me know how you get on.

    P.s. Take loo roll!image

  • Week 10, Day 6

    Goal: 20 – 21 minute blast – 5 miles in total

    Actual: 5 miles slow … very slow

     

    I’m still trying to shake this cold and I don’t seem to be getting over it as quickly as I’d hoped. The scheduled session was for 5 miles in total, 3 of those to be quick but I didn’t feel up to it and as this was my first run after 3 days off I ran it as I felt.

    It was slow. Very slow. And I had to keep stopping to cough. It wasn’t a very comfortable run.

    But at least it's 6 weeks before Paris, not 2 weeks!!

    Garmin Info Here

     

    Marathon Coach Steve – I’ve got 22 miles scheduled for tomorrow as a long run. I’m aiming to run these around 5 mile laps. Do you want me to run as many laps as I can or to skip this run and substitute it for something else? I don’t want to miss a crucial long run but I don’t want to make myself worse.

  • RRR

    see how you feel and if you want to start it (and think you may be  slightly healthier), do first lap in nine minute miles or slower and unless you are much better, suggest you stop after one lap. You won't gain anything by forcing yourself around if you aren't right other than stop the chance of a recovery and also take a lot out of yourself with probably little to gain. 

    It would be best to do very little for three or 4 days and feel back to normal midweek than do too much tomorrow, wipe yourself out and feel absolutely terrible still midweek and unable to train normally and effectively lose another week's training.

  • RunnyRunRun wrote (see)

    Mel liked the idea too and we booked into a Travelodge just down the road from the race venue and we travelled down separately. We arranged to meet up for dinner at 7pm for a catch up and chatter. Texted Mel and we both decided to meet in the hotel lobby. 15 minutes later and I’m still standing there … where is she? I get a text from Mel. We’re both waiting in the lobby in the hotel. But the hotels are 20 miles apart. She’s in Slough Traveleodge, I’m in Maidenhead Travelodge. Thank God Asics are arranging Paris travel and accommodation for us. We’d never get there.

    Classic image  

    Great race report, as usual.  Well done with the PB and hope your cold clears up soon.

    I've a couple of questions regarding the gels.  Are you taking ones that don't require water (e.g SiS Go) and drinking less water during the race?  You say you will be taking them every 30 minutes in the marathon - am I right in thinking you will be carying/consuming six during the marathon?

  • Ten re gels: definitely go for the ones that require no water. That way you can pop one in when you want/need and not have to worry about co-ordinating with a water stop or carrying a bottle.

    Just one less thing to worry about

    Re water: I took no water last year during VLM, instead I drank the sports drink on offer in 300ml bottles - nice handy size. Lucozade - easily available in Tesco etc so you can practice in advance

  • Ten: forgot to add

    Beware the Lucozade gel at m18 or 20 of VLM. Nothing wrong with it of course but it does require water and is very thick and gooey if you are unprepared for it!

    I forgot about that and nearly gagged - it was just luck that I had a bit of drink left in a bottle I was carrying, otherwise I would have been in big trouble....

  • Target was 20 mile in 3 hrs , I did 20 mile in 2 hrs 56 . I used lucosade gel (orange ) not my cup of tea but I'm sure it helped , I was a bit stiff when I finished , I went straight into the bath and me and my partner went out for dinner , we came back home and now jjust resting up , still stiff hope I loosen up tomorrow. Go steady with that cough , your ahead with your schedule aren't you .
  • Cheers Mike.  I'm running Brighton (intend to defer VLM), but that was a good reminder to check what's available on course.  They have Gatorade, which should be fine (I've used that before in other races) and shotblocks, which I've never tried and so will avoid.

  • RunnyRunRun wrote (see)

    Food Diary

    20th February

    Breakfast: Porridge made with water, 2 tsp x sugar, dash of milk

    Lunch: Small salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, carrot, red onions, cucumber and peppers and a small amount of tuna.

    Dinner: 1 x salmon fillet, 1 x small courgette, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, 2 large mushrooms – all steamed. 1 x fresh beetroot, portion of cottage cheese

    Snacks: 1 x crème egg, 1 x mini snack bar  

    Drinks: 4 x coffee, 3 pints of squash, 1 glass of water.

    Exercise: None (Bad cough and feeling ill so cancelled tonight’s run)

     

    19th February

    Breakfast: Porridge made with water, 2 tsp x sugar.

    Lunch (at pub): 2 x chicken breasts with bacon and BBQ sauce topped with cheese and chips on the side.

    Dinner: Mushroom stirfry.

    Snacks: Banana, 3 x chocolates

    Drinks: 5 x coffee, 2 x pints of squash, 1 x vanilla protein milkshake

    Exercise: 7.7 miles run, 1 hour grocery shopping with energetic 3 year old!

     

    18th February

    Breakfast: Porridge made with water, 2 tsp x sugar.

    Lunch: Portion of honeydew melon, 15g cheddar cheese, 2 x rice cakes topped with honey and nutella,

    Dinner: 1 x salmon fillet, 1 x small courgette, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, 2 large mushrooms – all steamed. 1 x fresh beetroot, portion of cottage cheese, 1 x chilli butter portion, 1 x sweet potato.

    Snack: Tablespoon of Christmas pud (couldn’t resist!), 6 x gluten free crackers and cheese dip.

    Drinks: 5 x coffee, 4 x pints of squash

    Exercise: 1 hour walk

     

    17th February

    Breakfast: Porridge made with water, 2 tsp x sugar, dash of milk

    Dinner: 1 x salmon fillet, 1 x small courgette, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, 2 large mushrooms – all steamed. 1 x portion of mushroom stirfry, portion of cottage cheese, 1 x chilli butter portion, 1 x sweet potato.

    Snack: 30g of salted peanuts, 1 x crème egg, 3 x gluten free crackers and cheese dip, 3 x chocolates

    Drinks: 2 x coffee, 2 x pints of squash, 1 x vanilla protein milkshake

    Exercise: 9.5 miles run, 1 hour walk.

     

    16th February

    Breakfast: Porridge made with water, 2 tsp x sugar, dash of milk

    Lunch: 1 x Apple, 1 x banana, 5 x tbsp mixed seeds.

    DinnerimageFrankie & Benny’s) Chicken with bacon and BBQ sauce topped with cheese and chips on the side and 2 x onion rings.

    Snacks: 1 x crème egg, Small amount of pick n mix sweets.

    Drinks: 4 x coffee, 3 x pints of squash, 1 x vanilla protein milkshake

    Exercise: Dorney Lakes Half Marathon, 1 hour walk

    RRR

    I am going to say sorry but I am about to nag!I know I have said I won't keep talking about lack of carbs in your diet but feel the above days do not even have enough protein in them :

    •  17th (partly as missed lunch),
    • 18th you only had 15g of cheese (about 4g of protein only) 
    •  20th - only small amount of tuna at lunch. 

    All in all this is too little when carbs are restricted. If you restrict your carbs you must increase protein as it affects your immunity & ability to train. I have been looking back at you food entries and in the past there has not been so many days where your protein appears be low (low for you rather than someone else) . Would you consider taking your vanilla protein d

  • RRR continued from above

    .....  drink before bed each night? The leucine (a protein that will be in this drink may be very useful to you in overnight recovery) but still suggest you use after long runs and very intense  training sessions as well. It is my fear that things will start falling apart from serious under fueling - I know I have mentioned this in the past but feel I need to say it again if can't  increase carbs you need to be aware of protein - aiming for up to 25 g of protein in each meal  (a breast of chicken or other 125g portion of  meat or fish  will have this) , as well as 20g before bed. This could be from cottage cheese and rice cakes (around 200g of cottage cheese) or usual milk (pint) or a commerial protein drink with 20g protein per portion. At breakfast at least 250ml of milk in cereal and a 200g pot of natural yoghurt may be useful.

    Are the gluten free crackers going down ok? As likely you will need to bring some food with you to Paris so need to start thinking about what foods will travel well for you.

  • Ruth - I'm a bit confused image.  I thought salmon was high in protein?  For example, on 18th Sarah had salmon for dinner as well as cottage cheese, which I think were in addition to the cheese you mentioned.

  • Hi Ruth , I always eat as soon as possible when i've ran/trained , I do try and follow what you are saying to Sarah , my question is , is it wise for me to eat before I go to bed , just for a quicker recovery on stiffness and niggles , if so what's the best intake.
  • Sarah , I always take loo rollimage , how's the running / training going , do you find it hard to eat the correct carbs and protein and fats . Don't know if it's true but you are supposed to eat 60% carbs , 30% protein and 10 % fat , is that what you are doing
  • Afternoon RRR

    Sorry to hear you've been to the doctors but hopefully the antibiotics will shift your cough.

    Did you manage much/all of your long run yesterday?

  • How are you feeling, still under the weather?

  • Tenjiso wrote (see)

    Ruth - I'm a bit confused image.  I thought salmon was high in protein?  For example, on 18th Sarah had salmon for dinner as well as cottage cheese, which I think were in addition to the cheese you mentioned.

    Yes you are right,  salmon and cotttage cheese are high in protein but Sarah needs a good amount in all meals and not to skip meals with only a little protein in it when the carbs are also low. I just really want the next few weeks of training to go well for Sarah & I guess I am getting nervous as I keep thinking immunity is Sarah biggest threat but her energy levels have been great so far which I guess to be honest I am surprised about but very happy about! But as the miles go up I want to see this continue. I also do not want to confuse people but Sarah's evening meals are always pretty high in protein & lunch is mostly but I was just picking up on a few days where this did not happen.  

  • Derrick Baldwin wrote (see)
    Hi Ruth , I always eat as soon as possible when i've ran/trained , I do try and follow what you are saying to Sarah , my question is , is it wise for me to eat before I go to bed , just for a quicker recovery on stiffness and niggles , if so what's the best intake.
    Do you eat quite a low carb diet? If yes, then the advice I have given above about eating before bed with high animal proteins (cottage cheese, milk etc ) may be very useful for recovery.
     
  • Evening Steve Marathon Coach,

    I did one lap and it felt a lot harder than it should have, so I stopped after the one lap. I was glad I did as ended up having coughing fits all the way home. Definitely not quite right. Went to the doctors earlier and have been prescribed some antibiotics so hopefully these will start kicking in tomorrow and I should be on my way back to normal soon.

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