It never ceases to amaze me what a wonderfully supportive community there is out there. I was disappointed with my race, but you guys all made me feel GREAT! Seriously GREAT! Based on the comments, you'd practically think I won the Chicago Marathon. Just being able to participate and finish the race is a major "win"!
Ok, so I'm "thinking" about a "rebound/redemption" marathon.......I know, probably about as good of an idea as that rebound boyfriend....but here's the deal. I am signed up for the Richmond Half Marathon in 5 weeks. Even before Chicago, I was considering switching to the full because I'm already trained. It's really hard to get to this point. It's much easier to maintain marathon fitness than it is to build up to it. The race is 5 weeks away, so I have some legitimate time to recover from Chicago, but also enough time to hit some good training. I really would just need to do one more long run of about 20-22 miles in a couple weeks, then I could taper again and be ready for race day.
What do you guys think?? Honest opinions please? I'm seriously open. If I did it what are your thoughts on the next 5 weeks? I was thinking 8 miles this weekend, 20-22 next weekend, then 12, 10, race day. I was also thinking 5 miles this weekend (maximize recovery), 14 next weekend, then 20-22, 10, race day. I'm not sure if I should ease in more for recovery purposes and not taper as long, or just assume last week was just a typical long run and keep going on a normal training cycle.
Lastly, this old gal turns 40 next April! That's right folks freaking 40! I can't believe it. My goal is to be in the best shape of my life when I turn 40. I have just under 6 months....about 24 weeks....so Operation 40 will start soon. I'm not exactly sure what Operation 40 looks like just yet, but I know I want to lose 15 to 20 pounds, run faster, and be stronger. Any advice for how to accomplish this would be more than welcome!!
Thanks for reading my nonsense.
Please help me :)
And literally minutes after I posted this post, MissZippy posted the following.....mind readers out there :)
The "Why it's not the best idea to run marathons close together"
http://runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/marathon-training-plans-how-long-before-running-another-marathon/
BUT
The "If you are going to do it anyway, here's the suggested way to train"
http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/how-to-run-consecutive-marathons/
If you continue to be healthy I think it's a good plan!!
ReplyDeleteDO IT!!!!!!! Don't even let yourself take time to weigh your options. Just sign up and run! :-)
ReplyDeleteI think if you don't mind paying the extra $$ and you promise yourself that you're ok with whatever the outcome will be than you should do it! You are fit and ready, I have a good feeling. Not just sayin' that :)
ReplyDeleteTell Jim I'm trying to help boost your comments with yet...another comment! :) HAHAHAHA!
ReplyDeleteI say if your body is up to it, go for it! Why not? My second one of this season is this weekend. Though mentally I'm ready, physically I'm not sure. Still a bit achy. I'm not counting on doing as well as the last one.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with what ever you decide!
Go for it (with Coy's caveats)! It's far enough away to give you some time to recover but close enough to hold onto your training fitness.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I turned 40 in April and it's just fine. :) Good luck with project 40...I could stand to drop 20 pounds too...maybe that'll be my project 41!
I say go for it! In my book you are a winner for completing it. And I'd like to know about Operation 40 and join you with Operation 38 (in March).
ReplyDeleteOops Project 38 (and another comment)
ReplyDeleteI think that time frame is reasonable for another marathon. Go for it! In fact, there was an article in this months runners world about doing just that and that 5-6 week time frame was ideal.
ReplyDeleteActually, I am running the Toronto half this weekend and part of me wishes it was the full...feeling too good for half right now
ReplyDeleteOh, and my project 40 was my first Tri....which led to the slippery slope of, gasp, becoming a RUNNER! I can't wait to see where your project leads you!
ReplyDelete(Jim, these were totally not meant to boost comments ;))
Obviously as a total newbie to this marathon thing, I have no sage advice for you, but I will give you a bad ass award for even thinking about another marathon so soon after Chicago.
ReplyDeleteHaving done 4 and soon to be 5 marathons, I cannot imagine doing two that close together but our minds tend to get in the way. If you feel up to it, go for it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, you know best what kind of shape you are in from all that training and what you are capable of. Elite runners of course wouldn't RACE two marathons in quick succession, but if you didn't go all out in Chicago, and adjust your training plan to think of Chicago as a training run for Richmond, you should be all right. Most importantly, listen to your body! I once did two marathons about 2.5 months apart - one was a complete disaster and the second, well, I PRed by an hour (obviously I'm starting out from a very low baseline so this was doable)...
ReplyDeleteI am going to add another vote to the go for it column! If you are feeling good physically, I think you should run the marathon in Richmond!
ReplyDeleteI turned 40 this past May - I am just starting to work on getting in the best shape of my life - I'm inspired to start my own project 41!
Trust your body and embrace 40!!!!! Been there, done that...and it ain't that bad :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely won't be running a redemption marathon despite the urgings of quite a few people. I've had too many problems with overtraining syndrome that I'd be beyond stupid to try it. But if you're feeling good and you recover quickly from Sunday, why not?!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I'm very pro projects for 40. :^)
ReplyDeleteI think you should go for it with the marathon. Your cold, I have a feeling, impacted you more than you know, as they always do. I do agree with everyone above who said you need to be nice to yourself regardless of the outcome of the second marathon...but in your shoes, I'd do it. It will be fun to hear how you decide! :^)
I agree that if you've been able to be injury free up to this point, you're probably good to go with some smart mileage in the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to do great!!!!!!
You should definitely do the marathon! Your body will be fine and you will run a great race. Us slow people don't need as much recovery time as the fast guys. Keep up your weekly average and do that one long run of 22 miles. All the best!
ReplyDeleteI say listen to your body and let it be your guide. You also don't want to over do it and something happens and then you are out all of next year with an injury. Doesn't hurt to wait. Doesn't hurt to just go for it either. (I didn't really help you did I?)
ReplyDeleteYou rock for almost 40! Never would've guessed.
ReplyDeleteI ran the Disney marathon after NYC last year bc I was already trained and reallyyyy wanted the 20th anniversary medal . . but I didn't do it for time.
Seriously you don't look a day over 30. You are gorgeous Michael! Secondly congratulations on running the Chicago marathon! :):) How dang cool is that.
ReplyDeleteNow heck to the yes sign up for that marathon. Don't even question it. You got this!
do it!!
ReplyDeleteI ran my first two marathons back to back (3 weeks interval) and although I did not feel that the second one killed me, and I didn't get injured either, I was not expecting a PB going into it. It may work in your favor, but then it may not. Just make sure you don't set your expectations too high because it'll be something new for your body and you cannot really predict how it will react. I also know other people who ran back to back marathons and did better on the second, but they seem to be the exception to the rule. I'd say go and run it for fun, relaxed, and who knows, you may find your wings. After all, there are running programs that have you run a marathon prior to the real race, so why not? If you feel that you've recovered, go for it! But at any sign of injury, STOP. It's not worth to get sidelines for so many months again. Running is supposed to be fun, it's not your job. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteGo for it...and it would be awesome to have Jim pace you. We always regret the things we don't do, right?! Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. I think that you will have a terrific "redemption race" as you have this "fire" inside you now. You might even surprise yourself at how well you do second time around. :-)
Susan SRMS