Goals For The Week
I’m not really following a strict training plan at the moment and seem to be flitting from week to week, just making stuff up as I go along. Although I’m signed up for the Shamrock Marathon in 8 weeks time (and actually a whole host of other races before marathon day!), the training I’m doing is geared towards just enjoying and completing the 26.2 mile race.
After my slack December I left it too late to run a great Spring marathon, so I’ve decided to not put too much pressure on myself and shoot for a comfortable sub-3 hour finish instead.
Looking back at last year’s running log, I started 2007 with two months of mileage around 250 miles. For the other 10 months I peaked at only 148 miles – quite a dramatic reduction and definitely a factor towards my lack of endurance base right now.
[click on the small graph for an enlarged view]
My last three weeks training have been weeks of 34, 38 and 38 miles respectively. If I can increase again by the magic 10% mark, I’ll hit 42 miles for the week and will have recorded over 150 miles in a month for the first time since February 2007. Luckily, with a 25k race on Saturday (15.5 miles plus any warm up/cool down I may do), I’ll only be looking to log about 24 miles in the remaining 5 or 6 days – very achievable and a definite must-do.
So, with that in mind, I plan to run 3 or 4 days leading up to Saturday’s race, bike a couple of evenings to compliment my running and continue with the Essential Abs Program where I’m about to start Week 5. Then, depending where I stand after the race, I’ll run again on Sunday. Hopefully it won’t need to be too far…..
Note: Graph and stats provided by RunningAhead.com – home of my online training log.
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Comments
Steve Hey Eric,
My tone wasn’t intended to be casual. I still have the utmost respect for the classic 26.2 mile distance, but with the marathon just 2 months away, I have to face facts and admit it’s not going to be a PR attempt. Completing the race will still be a challenge and I definitely don’t want to record my first marathon DNF 
The real eye-opener came when I looked at my running log from last year. At the exact same stage in my Marine Corps Marathon training I’d already completed 2 x 20 milers, 2 x 18 milers and 2 x 17 milers. I haven’t made it past 14 so far!
As nonchalant as I may have sounded, the next 8 weeks are crucial to another marathon finish and critical to success in a PR attempt later in the year.
Thanks for a great comment,
–Steve
Eric Gervase Huh… I was actually admiring that maybe there would be a time that a marathon wouldn’t sound so crazy. But, it sounds like you are just as respectful (for lack of a better word) as me. Just sounded like you may have made it to a place where the marathon wasn’t as scary a distance. That, to me, is a very cool thought. But, maybe it’s not a rational one. I didn’t mean to demean your effort or commitment. Not at all.
cyberpenguin Hahahaha, I like how you put that: “A casual sub 3-hour marathon.” 
But seriously, I do get your point & think you are just being realistic & smart about how you’re going about preparing for the Shamrock, especially given your recent mileage & overall preparation over the last few months.
Looks like you’re running this marathon as a way to stay in shape & keep up your marathoning fitness, right? And then perhaps next time, you’ll go for a PR, if that’s what you truly want to do next! As Castaway/Mister Scott (of http://run-a-bout.blogspot.com) likes to say, “Everyone’s training goals are their own.”
I think that your approach to this race shows that you possess real “racing/marathoning wisdom” as well as solid self-mastery/knowledge. You’re taking all of the factors into consideration, & I commend your approach.
When someone’s as experienced of a marathoner as you, it must feel great to know you can just “wing it.” (Please know that I’m not being sarcastic; I mean that in a good way!) Since you’ve “been there, done that” training routine so many times before, it be somewhat freeing to freestyle/improvise things!
I’m very interested to hear about your Shamrock marathon experience, especially since, if I recall correctly, it’s one you enjoy & have run a few times before. And I think you said it’s also a relatively flat course as well, which makes it a good one to run for first-time or beginner level marathoners as well. Am I remembering all of this correctly? (See, I do pay attention! )
BTW, great job with your core/strength training exercises this time around! You’ve been really dedicated, & are an inspiration to the rest of us.
Enjoy the holiday today!
-C
cyberpenguin Whoops, I meant to write “comfortable sub 3-hour marathon.” If only it sounded so comfortable to me, then I’d really be in some great shape, eh!?! 
Just playing around…….
This is the most casual I’ve ever heard anyone speak of marathon training. That’s not a knock.. I’m kind of jealous that you’re able to talk about it like this.