Cool Running for Week of September 1st

[BigRunner]

6 miles in. 90 degrees.

Ready for fall.


RichF

[ttdriver]

I hear ya, Rich .. by the end of August here I am sick to death of the heat/humidity that is so relentless .. it was no accident I scheduled my surgery for August ... !

4 weeks down, 8 weeks to go until I run again.

177 days to marathon day. Been reviewing Hal Higdon's plan so I'm ready to go (well MENTALLY at least !)


Betty

[BigRunner]

I'm doing the Hal Higdon Intermediate II for the most part. Changes here and there to fit in races.

5 hot humid miles.


RichF

[ttdriver]

Wow, intermediate, that's GREAT !! I'm sticking with the novice plan since this is the first time I'll actually follow a regulated training plan .. I could probably opt for the novice II, but coming off this foot surgery, I'm setting my sights pretty low ...

Not only that .. but my new job will have me working the 9-6 shift, so I have to run in the AMs starting in October .. the novice I plan has more lower mileage runs during the week that would fit my work schedule a bit better.

Ugh .. work ... always gets in the way, doesn't it ?

Rich, do you feel that a formulated training plan is really an advantage in a marathon? This is my first, so I'm not sure. When I ran the last two marathons, I trained "on my own" .. working up to a 20+ miler a few weeks before....I just wanted your input on whether a "plan" is better than going it on your own?


Betty

[BigRunner]

I don't think there is anything magical about any plan I have seen. Any plan you make up can be fine as long as you run at least 20 miles (I only run up to 20, opinions on running beyond 20 in training vary) 1 to 3 times and your miles peak 3 weeks or so before the marathon and you cut miles during your taper.

What I do think is beneficial is plans that have most runs for a purpose. By that, I mean some will be tempo (faster), fartleks (fast and slow), long slow distance runs, hills, etc. The best shape I was ever in for running was following the Pfitzinger 55 mile peak mleage plan. It incorporated everything. It was real tough as well (and time consuming - 55 miles is a LONG TIME when you don't run fast). Had Chicago not been 90 degrees last year, I'm convinced I would have come in at 4:15.

Sorry. (You know how runners are when you ask them a running question)

5 miles in.


RichF

[ttdriver]

Thanks, man .. I appreciate your thoughts. No need to apologize .. who better to ask a running/training question of than a guy who has done the GOOFY CHALLENGE !!

Well, I'll find out this year if Hal makes a difference for me. I do agree totally with you though .. if you can run 20, you can run 26.2 .. that's pretty much my advice to anyone thinking of doing a full marathon .. its not magical, but ya gotta have a FIRM PROVEN MILEAGE BASE ...

My biggest challenge now is to be friggin' patient for another 7 weeks and 6 days !! Post-op, it wasn't tough to not think about running, but now, feeling a bit better and less pain .. I am chompin' at the BIT to get out there !!!!

Thanks again for your input!

Betty

[Heart Ace]

Originally Posted by BigRunner

6 miles in. 90 degrees.

Ready for fall.


RichF

It's really hot in our country I think I can't do this anymore. I'll get sick because of hot climate here.

[ttdriver]

Where are you located, Heart Ace?

Its horrendous to be a runner in FL in August/Sep ... all I can say is, it is true .. "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger..."

Fall gets here in about 3 more months.

Betty

[BigRunner]

After a day off, felt good enough to do a tempo run.
3 miles in 27 minutes flat. Not too shabby in the heart of marathon training.


RichF

[BigRunner]

12 miles in just over 2 hours. 10:06 pace.

Really starting to feel good going into this 7th marathon.

Almost talked myself into running Memphis in December......



RichF