Conversely, I’ve taken a few days off training despite my A race being 5 weeks away, simply because I noticed I was getting grumpy.
I know that my race performance will be better if I maintain a happy, healthy mind and body in the run up. I’m using this week to catch up on some lifemin so that I’ve got a clear concience when training resumes.
I’ve broken the 5th metatarsal. It was non-displaced but clearly broken. I heard it break. X-ray confirmed as much. I was out of action for quite some time.
I’d def be careful until you see the doc, get a confirmed diagnosis and peace of mind. Missing a couple runs while continuing to bike isn’t going to mess your HM build. But if you carry on and really mess it up, it could be over before you get to the start line.
I have thankfully, knock on wood, not have had to take time off due to injury in a bout 3 years. But, I have had quite a few of them over the years, and I have stopped going to doctors offices entirely after a few of them because the number of times I got anything useful out of the visit is precisely 0. The only time I would consider going is when something doesn’t respond to to a few weeks of rest at all. Otherwise, yes, they might provide a diagnosis, which changes precisely nothing, unless you need surgery (i.e. it won’t respond to rest). I find pain level to be a pretty good guideline here. If it doesn’t hurt or it bothers me a little, but it’s stable and not aggravated by my training, it’s fine to run.
I don’t know what your first marathon was, but if it wasn’t one of the tunnel marathons you should expect a much faster time. IIRC that course drops like 1500’. It’s very very fast. It’s super popular because people use it to qualify for Boston. Have fun and hopefully it cools down for you.
Cheers! The first one I did was the Seattle marathon which has a good amount of elevation change. The tunnel marathon is all downhill so I’m expecting that to carry me! First one was 4:12:xx. Considering sticking with the 3:50 pacer for this one but afraid of blower up around 20 if I approach that pace for the distance. Finished my last taper run this afternoon in the 85 degree heat…
Came in at 4:06. Decided to just run by feel vs glue myself to a pace and be stuck looking at my watch. Rolled into mile 20 feeling great before my headphones died and the wheels fell off. 22-24 was a battle of ugly walk running before I got my shit back together and ran in the last 2 miles. Looking at my effort, those 6 mins were absolutely within grasp had I not put 10 total minutes of walk time in. Next time!
Berlin Marathon is this weekend. It’ll be October next week. Fall/Winter racing for runners is here! I’m still dealing with heat and humidity, but most of you should be enjoying cooler temps by now.
Who has some fall/winter racing planned?
I have my A race in 2 weeks time. It’s a 50 miler called Lakes in a Day. A north - south traverse of the Lakes national park, UK. Lots of elevation (around 3500m), a mix of unmarked fells and trails. 1 river crossing early on plus lots of boggy ground too. Im reckoning on about 12-14hrs.
Have trained well for it. I completed 2 other 50milers earlier in the year then focused more on strength and vert since then. Was lucky enough to spend a week in the French Alps last week, riding my mtb and hiking/running. Clocked 30,000 feet of ascent in total in 40hrs of training.
Ran all the downhills so my quads should hopefully be nicely conditioned now.
I’m thinking about the Battersea marathon end of November
Other than the Manhattan 10K in February, things (life/work/family) have systematically scrapped all my races for the year. That’s how it goes sometimes… we’ll see what next year brings.
Already Oct. Are you still able to signup? Have you been running?
Yeah it’s coming up quick isn’t it?
Ramped up my running well in August but work and some hrs biking cut into it in Sept.
If I get back on track through October I’ll go for it, otherwise I’ll go for a half mara.
It depends how you look at it. Most of my stats have always indicated a 4hr target, but I’ve twice failed and got 5hrs. So I’m looking for a 4h30 now and a 4h in 2025. So with volume and hydration I’ve got a shot.
Other question - I don’t want to buy a hydration pack, how much luck have people had with belts hold a bidon?
I was doing repeats yesterday holding a 750ml bidon, phone, tshirt, gloves and sleeves - it was a bit of a palaver.
I have a FlipBelt. I’ve stuffed it full w/gels, keys, iPhone, etc… I love it since it doesn’t move around like a SPIbelt. If you get a FlipBelt, it should fit snug to tight. Otherwise, it will move around. I got a L and sent it back immediately for a M.
In training, I’ll use a Nathan handheld , but during a race I grab whatever from the water stations. I’ve seen people running w/a handheld in each hand. Some of my friends prefer the soft handhelds like the ExoShot or ExoDraw (also Nathan).
You also might want to consider half tight shorts w/pockets. Quite a game changer those pockets!
Personal preference, I think. For me, water bottles beyond 10oz are just too much weight for a belt.
I far prefer a vest like the Solomon 4- or 5-liter versions. The vest holds two 600ml soft bottles and Does. Not. Move. It disappears on my body because it’s anchored on far more skin and bone than the belt. And for long runs, the vest can hold a hydration bladder in the back. I can carry anything from 0.5L to 3.2L of hydration comfortably that way, and of course it carries my phone, keys, and everything else too.
I think you’re more or less stuck with a hydration pack if you’re looking to carry any significant amount. IMO the belt bottles are kind of a weird in-between where the amount of you’re able to practically carry isn’t that much more than just grabbing a few cups from aid stations, and potentially a lot more awkward/annoying. Maybe there’s a use case for unsupported longer runs, but for a heavier sweater who’s potentially out there for a few hours I’m not sure it would be worth the hassle for a small amount versus just planning a route around a few loops/water stops.
That being said I don’t usually drink much during marathons, so I can’t claim extensive experience- maybe you get used to it to a point? I don’t envy the big guys on that front.
Thanks all, I’ll hold off the belt and save for a hydration vest.
Picked up a calf strain anyway so long runs off the table for a while…
Just finished my first full. I’ve never been a super strong runner, but was able to put in a 4:06. Had a sub 4 in the back of my mind but 
got in the way 
Running has been a nice distraction from the bike since my season ended in August, but I’m looking forward to starting base after my upcoming rest period is done.
Any tips on keeping some of this running fitness onboard for the next one?
Go for a run at least once a week to keep your body used to the abuse of running. Run easy and throw in some strides at the end.
Hey all, long time…
I’m off the bike in a competitive spirit, still love riding, but not feeling the training aspect of it any longer.
Of course, there’s always a glimmer of competitive nature in me, and with running, it’s a lot healthier as I don’t think of myself as a runner, so if I fall short in my goals I don’t seem to take it to heart. I don’t have any serious event goals beyond an upcoming 8K that we all sort of do for fun. I think last year I did it in 39:00 and change.
Beyond better consistency, what are your suggestions for improving short distance pace? I almost never run longer than a few miles. I seem to default to a 8:00/mi threshold pace unless I’m really putting in the time and I can nick that down to 7:45/mi - now that I’ve been running more regularly than I used to I think I can put in more volume. Should I attempt about 2 speed workouts a week with slower runs thrown in? Any specific training advice to improve 5K, 8K, 10K times?
Thanks!
If this is what you mean by short distance then these are still aerobic endurance focus. Generic standard process is a long run, a speed session and a tempo run. Interspersed with short easy runs. Basically like a TR plan with a long weekend endurance, a vo2 and a threshold ride.
Advice would be to train within yourself with moderate progression and
overload.
Check out vdot for pacing.