It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

June 05, 2013

I Need Your Advice!!!


OK, all you veteran marathon runners I need some advice.
I am doing my second marathon in Chicago in October.  It’s just a mere 19 weeks away.  I am putting together an 18 week training plan.
I have looked at a few different plans including:  Hal Higdon Novice 2, Cool Running:  Beginner Marathon Program, and Jeff Galloway.
I did the run/walk technique for Disney and that worked well for me so I plan to use that again for this marathon (so I’ll be doing a modified Galloway program as he recommends 6 months I think).

But here’s my question – 2 of those 3 plans have you run a 26 mile training race 3 weeks prior to the marathon (so that’s 26 miles, 12 miles, 12 miles, Race Day).  I know some people don’t recommend going beyond 20 miles in marathon training, but I need it for the mental aspect.  I was planning to do at least 24.
I looked back at my Disney marathon training and I did 23 miles two weeks prior to Disney (so that was 23 miles, 10 miles, race day).
So here is my question – if I am planning to do 24-26 miles – should I just plan another marathon as a training run?  If I’m going to put the mileage in anyway, it seems logical to just do a race where I have everything set up for me.  Remember for me, a 24 mile training run is going to take 5+ hours….this is very, very awful to do alone – trust me.  And at my pace, there’s no one for me to run with.
I would take the marathon as a serious, training only run, meaning I would take it at a training pace and would probably honestly only run/walk 23-24 miles and then walk out the final miles as recovery.
What do you think?  I only have ONE marathon under my belt.  Would it be possible to do 2 marathons so close together?
I’ve found a great race in Indiana that is flat and timed perfectly.  So what do you think???

 

17 comments:

  1. I'm not expert because I've only ever run one too (but I'm planning my second in October this year too) but in my training program I won't be running over about 36k. I didn't think it was recommended to actually run the distance before the big day.

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  2. Let me preface this with I would never run more than 20-22 during training.

    That said, if you are planning to do close to 26 anyways, you might as well do an organized race. I've never run more than 3.5 hours in training and even that was too long and boring. And if you do another race, definitely make yourself go slowly...

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  3. Sorry, no advice here, but I do have a question. What marathon are you doing in Indiana that is flat?I want to do one, but I want to find one that I know I can finish, and that will give me enough time.

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  4. Isn't your husband the marathon king? Couldn't resist. I would say no but that's just me. If you are looking for marathon maniac status then go for it but I'd rather have one quality race than 2 slower ones. Good luck!

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  5. I never did more than 20 miles in training although I did multiple 20 milers. I am a big Hal Higdon fan and that is what he goes with. I have done half marathons three weeks before a marathon but never another marathon. I don't think I could and stay fresh for the marathon I cared about.

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  6. I don't feel like I can give very good advice since I've only run a couple marathons. But I've heard not to go over a 20 mile run, so that you arrive at the race day healthy. Your body will know what to do. You should really come to Utah and run one of our canyon races, lots of downhill. It's such a blast! You and your hubby would love it.

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  7. I've never gone more than 20 in training. For me, and this is very personal, the hardest miles are 14-20. Once I get to 20 all I think is 'only 10k to go'....and I can run 10k any day of the week ;). That is my little mental shell game that I play with myself. Works for me though. My last 10k are usually pretty decent even if I've been sucking up until then. Only works in races though. In training, I hit 20 and I don't care how far from home I am, I stop running & start walking! Lol!

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  8. I'm no expert. I'm just a dummy who ran 4 marathons this past year. But I have been told that multiple 20 milers help. Maybe 20, 12, 20, 10, race day? Thats what I plan on doing for my next training.

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  9. It's not your first marathon and I would be keen to say no you don't need to do that. But if you want to follow the plan I don't see the problem with doing the marathon as a supported training run and not a race. But there are so many variables that might make me change my mind: weather and injury.

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  10. I agree with MCM mama! Most plans only go up to 20 miles for a reason. Not much to benefit from for the marathon if you go farther, but a whole lot of risk- especially if you are going to be on your feet for over 5 hours.
    But, if you are going to do that long of a training run, I would just do it as a race- Goal race being first. A trail race would be another nice option. Get yourself a medal if you are going to run 26 miles :). Saying this...wishing I had done it in february!!

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  11. I think it really depends on how your body adapts to the distance. I know people who have signed up and done a marathon in prep for their marathon. I know it would work for me. I think it's a matter of seeing how your body is reacting and if going those few extra miles three weeks before will be beneficial or not (it probably will be fine ;)).

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  12. I have used races before as training runs - but the tendancy (unfortunately) is to get caught up in all the excitement and it turns out to be a race - NOT a training run. You get inspired by chearleaders and the crowd or you see another runner ahead of you and say "I can run as fast as Her/Him"

    Also, I'm with other commenters who only run 20 miles on marathon training runs (unless they are in coral #1 all the time)

    So if you are very determined to stick with your training plan (and Walk the remaining distance), I say go ahead - it will be a lot more fun for 5 hours with a crowd than by yourself and you will get a medal and T-shirt for a training run.

    Also - check out SmartCoach on runnersworld.com. I have used those training plans for the past 3-4 years and have gotten the best plans with very accurate predictions. Good luck

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  13. I agree with Detroit Runner 100%. You can do more damage than good by overtraining, so I would stick with 20-22 as your longest run three weeks before your race, and then enjoy a nice taper to let your legs and joints recover. Focus on quality workouts, not quantity.

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  14. I felt like you did about being mentally prepared but 20 miles is long enough to do this. You put your body at risk for further injury and I am slow runner so that is extra time on your feet. I would say do two 20 milers and that will help your confidence.

    I would also be cautious about doing it as a race as you WILL try to run it.

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  15. I'm so glad you asked this question. I'm thinking about diving in to this too and want to do the Galloway, but also don't feel the need to run a 26 miler. Being slow as well, the thought of 5+ hours multiple times in training is awful. I may have also talked my (equally slow) running friend into doing this with me, so that makes things hugely easier.

    Looking forward to reading responses.

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  16. I had always heard not to run up to the 26 before race day too BUT Gallwoay's plans always include that amount of running so it makes me think it depends on the plan. If it was my first marathon I probably wouldn't just because you lose that specialness of having conquered that distance on race day. I would say why not work a marathon in there assuming you would take it as a training run and not use up all your mojo on the B race :)

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  17. Definitely think it depends on the plan. I don't know if I agree with Mr. Galloway's plans of running longer than the race distance, but I'm not an expert.

    If you were planning on going to 24 anyway. . and the marathon fits into the plan, maybe do it for the support. I agree. Long runs alone do not rock.

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