Hi there,
I have the Valencia marathon in 6 weeks, have completed 3 half marathons over the last 2 months and my long run is up to 15 miles.
My problem is 2 runs a week are really all I can handle. My body is in pain for days after my long run. My midweek run is up to 8 miles, should I try to fit in a shorter run between my mid-distance and long runs for the next 6 weeks, even though in discomfort?
So the midweek run is wed, long run Sunday. was thinking of doing long run sat then another shorter run Mondays.
Any thoughts would be great.
Thanks
Juan
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Comments
From the marathon training advice I’ve read about and listened to, the long run should be no more than 25 - 30% of your weekly volume. If not, you overstress the body in one session resulting in longer recovery time and are often not able to complete other runs as a consequence. On this basis, focussing on weekly accumulation rather than just one disproportionately long run and a second shorter run a week might be worth thinking about? I definitely think trying to fit in another run would be a good start. Also, what pace are you running your long run at? Maybe you’re doing your long run too fast leading to the legs being trashed for the rest of the week?
If you enter your half marathon time in something like the McMillan Pace Calculator, this may help you to establish training paces for your long and other runs which may permit you to get some more runs in.
Good luck.
Longs runs currently doing at 9 min miles. The shorter runs down to 7:45 min miles.
So just add more miles during the week rather than doing one long run on the weekend? This will be the first marathon so fairly new to the training, forgive my knowledge is pretty low on this subject :-)
Thanks again.
Juan
like I say, this is just the way I see it. It’d be interesting to know if other people have another view.
I'd agree that sustainability is key - slower runs more often to build up your endurance and give you the confidence to get round the marathon. Mon, Wed, Sat sounds like a good schedule for trying to fit three runs in. If you're still finding on Monday that your legs are tired from the long run, don't worry - just take things very, very easy when you go out on Monday. (Of course, if you're actually injured or feeling significant pain, that's a different matter, but running on legs that aren't fresh will be good marathon preparation - as long as you don't hammer them too much!)
I am guessing you still have 2 or 3 weeks before you'll be thinking about starting to taper, so if all goes to plan, you can fit in a few more decent sessions. As LT says above, though, don't increase the volume too dramatically. Good luck!
I am trying to get a registration too for Valencia - does anyone know where I may be able to find one at this stage?
Thanks!
Hope you all feel very good :) Juan, are you running a marathon this year?
I am looking for a ticket for Valencia Maraton 2019 which is taking place on Dec 1. Does anyone have a spare bib for this race? Please message me if any.#ValenciaMarathon #ValenciaMarathon2019
You don't have much time left, but you should look at increasing weekly mileage and the long run (yes, by more than 10% too!). I do agree with the others that, most likely, you're running too fast. That's the usual culprit. As they advised, put in your HM time (most current - not pb) into a pace calculator and find your Easy pace range and stick to the slower end of it - or even slower if you're not feeling up to it. Especially the first mile or two, which should be the slowest of every run. Even the Kenyans run some of their runs at slower than 9-minute miles!
Good luck