What did you do?

[joel_maxwell]

Thanks!

I've only done 2 races competitively, but I was surprised by how much faster I ran on race day than in training during my 10K. As I recall, it was in the neighborhood of a minute faster per mile. I can't blame it on easier terrain either, because the race terrain was brutal. I guess I just reached a mental place I never did during training, maybe tapped some race day adrenaline, and ran off of that. Maybe that's the kind of thing Hal expects most runners to experience? :shrug:

Maybe so. Race day tends to be a huge mental challenge for me which carries over the the physical. With all the runners taking off at their own pace and some of those runners sprinting out of the gate to only be passed 1 mile down the road, it just wears me out. I just have to repeat, "run your pace, run your race" over and over to not get caught up in the hype of the start and blow it out the first 1/3.

Maybe he means injury too.

 

[Donald Duck]

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

10.38mi this morning on a completely different route. Didn't like it.

Last week was miserable; unfocused, pain, mental challenges, nutrition, etc... I haven't even totalled my mileage yet, but I'll post it tomorrow.

 

[Donald Duck]

I know the feeling. Good luck. *thumbs up*

Question to the gallery: Hal Higdon says to run your long runs at 1-2 minutes per mile slower than your race pace. That training too hard can be detrimental. I would never question someone of this expertise (Jeff Galloway included) but for argument sake, I have always had the thinking that you play like you practice. How can one run a 9-10 minute mile on their long runs but then expect to run an 8 minute mile race day? I train to run very solid and strong. I push myself up incline to build my threshold and work on a consistent speed on the flats. 2 times a week on my routine runs, I will just go jog it. Not push at all. That middle routine run during the week, Ill push more like I do on my Saturday long runs.

Can someone tell me what he means?

I'm not sure of the medical and technical stuff involved, except to prevent injury and overworking. However, I do train at a slower pace; 1-3 mins slower than race pace. I don't know, but it works for me. I'll go 9min pace on training runs, but race day, (half marathon for arguments sake) I'll start out the 1st mile at 9 min, then go to 7:30 the entire race until mile 10. After mile marker 10 I open it up to about 6:15-6:30 pace. The last few hundred feet my 305 recorded a 4:30 once, which was cool.

 

[Fievel]

Did a 5 mile Turkey Trot thanksgiving day in 54:12 and a 4 mile run tonight.

I have a cold, so I"m trying to lay back a bit, but still keep my legs moving.

 

[joel_maxwell]

3 miles tonight. In the rain. It was 40 degrees.

 

[AUPr8Hd]

3 miles tonight. In the rain. It was 40 degrees.

Then again, you run at a faster pace than I do. It would take me 35 minutes or so to go that far. Needless to say, no run this evening due to weather. I'm going to try and get a run in tomorrow morning; Wife is heading to a conference and I have "daddy duty" tomorrow night. So, no chance to run until Thursday at the earliest.

 

[Donald Duck]

3 miles tonight. In the rain. It was 40 degrees.

No excuses, good for you Joel! It's raining and windy here now, so I'm getting ready to endure.

13.14mi yesterday at 8:30 pace. Best run I've had in a few weeks.
I'm averaging 80-90mi a week with a rest day on Sunday (that's right Joel and Dave, a rest day!), but last week just sucked, coming in under 70.

Training for the ultra in March is alot more mental than I had anticipated. The 5 hour long runs are just draining mentally; I'm always focused on how much longer and farther I have to go instead of one-step-at-a-time.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Then again, you run at a faster pace than I do. It would take me 35 minutes or so to go that far. Needless to say, no run this evening due to weather. I'm going to try and get a run in tomorrow morning; Wife is heading to a conference and I have "daddy duty" tomorrow night. So, no chance to run until Thursday at the earliest.

My wife called right as I was walking out the door and wasnt pleased that I was going. Running at night combined with running in the rain sure did get her mad at me being irresponsible. I think I recall her saying that she would never understand your obsession to think that skipping one run will hurt. My thoughts are simple. I dont want to finish then full and think back and say, "Man, if I had only run a little harder and not skipped that run, I would have finished a lot better." I try to eliminated that card from the deck. Plain and simple.

No excuses, good for you Joel! It's raining and windy here now, so I'm getting ready to endure.

13.14mi yesterday at 8:30 pace. Best run I've had in a few weeks.
I'm averaging 80-90mi a week with a rest day on Sunday (that's right Joel and Dave, a rest day!), but last week just sucked, coming in under 70.

Training for the ultra in March is alot more mental than I had anticipated. The 5 hour long runs are just draining mentally; I'm always focused on how much longer and farther I have to go instead of one-step-at-a-time.

Wow. Those are a lot of miles. Keep up the good work and Bravo. What city is the Ultra in? Terrain?

 

[Donald Duck]

My wife called right as I was walking out the door and wasnt pleased that I was going. Running at night combined with running in the rain sure did get her mad at me being irresponsible. I think I recall her saying that she would never understand your obsession to think that skipping one run will hurt. My thoughts are simple. I dont want to finish then full and think back and say, "Man, if I had only run a little harder and not skipped that run, I would have finished a lot better." I try to eliminated that card from the deck. Plain and simple.

Wow. Those are a lot of miles. Keep up the good work and Bravo. What city is the Ultra in? Terrain?

Thanks. It's the NJ Ultra Festival up in Long Valley. I actually think it's near Dave, North Jersey. I'm Central Jersey on the beach. Might be a couple hours drive.
From what I've read, the terrain is a relatively flat dirt trail, and suited to first-time ultrarunners. Four races: 50k, 50mile, 100k, 100mile...of course I'm running the 100miler!

 

[joel_maxwell]

[/B]

Thanks. It's the NJ Ultra Festival up in Long Valley. I actually think it's near Dave, North Jersey. I'm Central Jersey on the beach. Might be a couple hours drive.
From what I've read, the terrain is a relatively flat dirt trail, and suited to first-time ultrarunners. Four races: 50k, 50mile, 100k, 100mile...of course I'm running the 100miler!

They better give you some MAJOR bling for that accomplishment.

 

[Donald Duck]

They better give you some MAJOR bling for that accomplishment.

There are different prizes for finishing at midnight the following day. But I think after you pay the huge race fee, bust your a__ for 100 miles, and cross the finish line in under 30 hours, I believe you get...*drum roll please*...

...a big belt buckle :lookaroun

 

[joel_maxwell]

There are different prizes for finishing at midnight the following day. But I think after you pay the huge race fee, bust your a__ for 100 miles, and cross the finish line in under 30 hours, I believe you get...*drum roll please*...

...a big belt buckle :lookaroun

Saweet!

You going to shoot for 30 hours and under?

 

[JillC LI]

Question to the gallery: Hal Higdon says to run your long runs at 1-2 minutes per mile slower than your race pace. That training too hard can be detrimental. I would never question someone of this expertise (Jeff Galloway included) but for argument sake, I have always had the thinking that you play like you practice. How can one run a 9-10 minute mile on their long runs but then expect to run an 8 minute mile race day? I train to run very solid and strong. I push myself up incline to build my threshold and work on a consistent speed on the flats. 2 times a week on my routine runs, I will just go jog it. Not push at all. That middle routine run during the week, Ill push more like I do on my Saturday long runs.

Can someone tell me what he means?

I think it depends on what your goal is. If you are a first time marathoner with a goal just to finish, then take your long runs at a slow comfortable pace. I completed my first actual marathon at nearly the exact same pace I did all my long runs. If you have a time goal though, then I would recommend that you still take your long runs somewhat easier, but you teach your body how to run hard by doing medium length tempo runs during the week. Intervals and tempo runs will make you faster. The primary purpose of the long runs is to teach your body endurance.

Btw, I am of the same mindset about not missing a single training run when training for a race. In fact, I've quite grown to love running in the rain (if it's not freezing outside)! :wave:

 

[joel_maxwell]

I think it depends on what your goal is. If you are a first time marathoner with a goal just to finish, then take your long runs at a slow comfortable pace. I completed my first actual marathon at nearly the exact same pace I did all my long runs. If you have a time goal though, then I would recommend that you still take your long runs somewhat easier, but you teach your body how to run hard by doing medium length tempo runs during the week. Intervals and tempo runs will make you faster. The primary purpose of the long runs is to teach your body endurance.

Btw, I am of the same mindset about not missing a single training run when training for a race. In fact, I've quite grown to love running in the rain (if it's not freezing outside)! :wave:

My goal is to finish.... but finish competitively. Does that make sense? Im not going to beat myself up over my time if I get out there and have a bad day or my knee starts hurting and I have to slow down, but while Im out there and have been training for 18 weeks, I wouldnt mind putting in a good time too.

That is the only logic I can figure. I guess with 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 long run weekends coming up, I need to try and change my thinking and press during the week and relax a bit more on the long runs.

I have currently been doing around a 7:45 mile over 12 or 13. I have been pushing, but just running smooth. Every 4 miles I walk for about 30-60 seconds for fluids. When I finish, I feel as thought I can easily run more, but glad I am done so I can go get that coffee started. Maybe my 7:45 pace isnt that fast for my body, but I dont think I could keep that over 26.2. An 8 to 8:30 is a more realistic pace for all 26.2.

I get a great variety of terrain since my routes are very hilly.

So far I have been running the following at these paces

Monday short run: Jog pace to work out soreness from saturday
Wednesday medium run: Race Pace
Thursday short run: Jog
Saturday long run: Race Pace

Jill, I wonder if I could stay this course and I would be fine? I know it is whatever works for the individual, but Im not expert and have only been running for a year. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[frank2271]

Well, I caught the flu, I've been laid up for a week. Going out tonight for a short run to see how my chest feels. Losing over a week of training this close to the full in Jan. can't be good. Wish me luck.

Frank

 

[Donald Duck]

Saweet!

You going to shoot for 30 hours and under?

YeeHaw.

I'm hoping for 22-23 hours. I certainly wont make it before the midnight cut-off. Not sure what the prize is, maybe some spurs and a barbell mustache :lookaroun

THe wife is really hoping she won't have to bring me back home in a body bag, but otherwise, she's uploading movies to her iPod and taking my NOOK to kill the time. All she really has to do is hand off my pre-measured food and water rations each 25 mile loop, and possibly wipe vomit from my face :hurl:

 

[frank2271]

Well, I caught the flu, I've been laid up for a week. Going out tonight for a short run to see how my chest feels. Losing over a week of training this close to the full in Jan. can't be good. Wish me luck.

Frank

Well, I ran 6 miles and had a great time. No chest problems, thank goodness. It's great to have cooler weather, it's in the mid 50's here in Tampabay. That's chilly down here. Brrrrrrrr.

 

[joel_maxwell]

YeeHaw.

I'm hoping for 22-23 hours. I certainly wont make it before the midnight cut-off. Not sure what the prize is, maybe some spurs and a barbell mustache :lookaroun

THe wife is really hoping she won't have to bring me back home in a body bag, but otherwise, she's uploading movies to her iPod and taking my NOOK to kill the time. All she really has to do is hand off my pre-measured food and water rations each 25 mile loop, and possibly wipe vomit from my face :hurl:

Now that is just too much. :lol: She will have to post some vids.

Well, I ran 6 miles and had a great time. No chest problems, thank goodness. It's great to have cooler weather, it's in the mid 50's here in Tampabay. That's chilly down here. Brrrrrrrr.

Nice Job.

 

[joel_maxwell]

6 miles tonight. 47:35. Ill take it.

Elevation:
Minimum: 689 Feet above sea level
Maximum: 863 Feet above sea level

Ascended: 243 feet
Descended: 246 feet

Interesting. Hilly course.

 

[Donald Duck]

Yesterday, 10.36mi in 40-50mph wind gusts and sideways rain hammering against my face. The sand hitting me at those speeds was an added bonus.

Got home completely drenched and scooped sand out from my mouth and nostrils. Yum.