Sarah aka "Ima" ... another ?

R

RedWingFan

Cathlete
Hi Sarah,

I read a week or so ago in a post that you run your weekly long runs at 11-15 miles and you are training for a marathon.

My question is when you were training for your 1/2 marathon what did you run then on your weekly long run especially leading up to the race?

I ran a 1/2 marathon last year for the first time in 2:30. My longest run was 11 miles two weeks before the race. This year I am racing the same race again and really want to do 2:00 or better.


Thanks in advance!

Michelle
 
RE: Sarah aka

OMG!!!!!! are those baby st. bernards in your avatar? they are so adorable!!! ok...back to running............. sorry to hijack;-)


jes
 
RE: Sarah aka

Hi Michelle,

Congratulations on a wonderful time on your 1/2!! That is great!!

For my first 1/2 marathon, my highest mileage hit 13.8 miles and I did that every weekend, three weeks prior to the race....so 3 times. I immediatley began training for a second 1/2 (I did take a week of easy stuff after the first race) but for that training, I only went less than the 13.8 course once. I was stuck inside because of pouring rain so I did 11 miles on the treadmill...which was a challenge within itself. 11 miles on a treadmill feels like an eternity!

If you want to shoot for a certain time, I would recommend doing 1 speed session a week...either speed intervals, hill repeats or a tempo run. Anything more may be too much...BELIVE ME! I did 2 a week and by race day I was exhausted. The combo of the long run on the weekend and 2 speed sessions a week was stupid on my part. This time, I am cutting back to 1 speed session.

I checked out Hal Higdons training programs a lot. He's awesome!
www.halhigdon.com
 
RE: Sarah aka

Sarah,

Thanks for your input and advice. I'll let you know how I do!!

Thanks for the website. I had followed the coolrunning and runner's world beginning training schedule last year.

LOL! Yes, 11 miles on the treadmill would seem like an eternity. I have yet to do more than 7 on mine.

Good luck with your training for your race! I'm sure you will do great!

Michelle
 
RE: Sarah aka

Jes and Marla
These are my baby St. Bernards in my picture... Howard and Sydney. They are older now, almost a year old... but were 8 weeks old in the picture.
And yes they are adorable!!!!


Michelle
 
RE: Sarah aka

Michelle, The thing i love so much about Hal's programs is #1 the detailed explanation for each run on every single day and #2 he offers several levels (beginning, intermediate, intermediate II, advanced, advanced II) of training. That way, if you don't feel strong enough to be intermediate but know your stronger than beginner...there is a happy medium.

So...when and where is your 1/2???
 
RE: Sarah aka

Sarah,

I went and checked out Hal's programs...he does give good explanations! I like that.
I had to giggle when I saw him describe what the pace of a run means. ( Like when someone says run at 5K pace) For the longest time I had no idea what the heck this was or what it meant. So everytime I read in a magazine or online or saw this, I was always wondering this magical mystical pace I was supposed to run at.....Now I know it's my own darn pace that I choose!!!LOL

I'm excited to train for this race actually having a goal as to what to try and run it in as opposed to last year's goal of just finishing! Now I just have to figure out what the pace is....:)

The race is June 4th here in Vermont. It's the Covered Bridges Half. It's a really pretty course and pretty decent size...1500 runners. I also want to run the Stowe Half Marathon in mid September. It will be a beautiful time of the year to run.

When and where is your race?...I love races...they are so much fun and full of fun people!

Have a great day.

Michelle
 
RE: Sarah aka

Hi Michelle,

If you go to the Runners World training programs, you can choose a program that revolves around the pace you want to run on race day. So, if you want to do the 1/2 in 2 hours or less, you follow the plan and do the speed recommended, the speed work recommended. It will actually tell you how fast and for how long to do the speed intervals.

Another Runners wold tool...the "pace calculator". You can use it to determine the minimum pace you need to run to do the race in 2 hours.

My big race is May 7th. It will be my 1st marathon...but not my last.
 
RE: Sarah aka

Thanks Sarah! What helpful info...

It's amazing how much there is to running besides just getting out there and running!!!

Have a great day!

Michelle
 
RE: Sarah aka

Oh my!!!! You said it!!! I am amazed at how much there is as well...especially as those miles start increasing!!! You have to watch and track the miles on your shoes, there's the injury issue (one I am messing with now), there is the hydration issue, there is the glycogen issue, there is the physical training, the mental training, the significant increase of importance to get tons of water, sleep and perfect nutrition...all these things! I am having so much fun with it!!! Well, except for the injury part but I insist on making every experience a learning experience. It's the only way to get better.

I am VERY lucky...I have a friend (from this forum) who is holding my hand every step of the way and that helps so much! She's done several marathons and she is an absolute ANGEL! I'd be lost without her!
 
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