This week my mileage will drop by 9 miles. After that great long run last Sunday, I can now understand why some runners find it difficult to taper. I think if I run more long runs I will better prepare myself for August 3 and I am scared that I reduce my mileage I will lose my gains in strength and stamina. However, there is a wealth of wisdom and experience there and somehow I have to have faith that it will work for me.
I ran an easy 6 miles today. The sky was covered with dark clouds and the weather was quite cool which allowed me the chance to wear my favorite NB lightning dry T-shirt. The roads were wet from the rains the night before and there were fewer runners in sight maybe because of the impending rains which makes staying in bed so much sweeter.
Total Distance : 6.0 miles Total Time : 59:20 Ave. Pace : 9:53/mi Ave. HR : 128 bpm
It looks like your pace is typically a shade under 10 minutes per mile regardless of distance you run? How do you do it consistently? I can do about 9 minutes per mile for a 5k, 9:30 for a 10k, and about 10 minutes per mile for a half marathon. However, when I run the full 26.2 miles, my pace dips disastrously to the 12 minute per mile level.
By: Alexis Tucay on July 17, 2008
at 3:47 am
My easy run pace was 12 min per mile a few months ago, but I built my mileage and my stamina to what it is now. I guess the training program really works! Your pace until the marathon distance seems to be in line with the various pace calculators. Maybe there were factors that affected your marathon pace like weather, course, or training.
By: prometheuscometh on July 17, 2008
at 3:16 pm
I think there was simply one factor affecting my marathon pace – not enough 20 mile runs. I typically do just one 20 mile run before a marathon. Once I did a 20 mile and a 22 mile runs weeks before the marathon. I got injured on mile 21 of the 22 mile run and have not done any training runs for that distance since.
I lan on runnin another marathon in October. This time I’m committing to doing at least three 20 mile runs.
By: workaholicrunner on July 18, 2008
at 9:04 am
prom, I agree with you regarding Alexis’ pace at the marathon level. There are a number of reasons that could do that. What I found that is best is run a little slower per mile in the first 10K, maybe like a 9:30 pace. That way, Alexis may be able to hold the pace through perhaps 20 miles.
When I ran my best time in the Napa Marathon about 25 years ago, my second half was about four minutes slower than the first half (1:35 / 1:39). My first 5K was at an eight minute pace and then picked it up a little bit afterwards.
By: sfrunner on July 18, 2008
at 9:37 am
Hi PC. I know you are a strong runner, judging from the 45min 10ks you’ve done in the past. But I know too that you stopped training a while back. Next thing I know, you are doing 10min/mile tapers and long runs?! You must owe that to muscle memory. Keep it up.
By: Tina on July 18, 2008
at 11:47 pm
AT I believe you need to do at least 3 20-22 mile runs during your training phase. Good luck on your training for October!
Wayne thanks for the tip! I will keep it in mind on my next post!
Tina, I was getting sick so often I decided to stop running for a while after the PSE Bull Run last year and then I started running again around October with the promise to keep easy runs at easy pace/HR and let my body recover. I am also very happy that you have been able to overcome your early running problems to become an accomplished one yourself. Thanks for visiting!
By: prometheuscometh on July 19, 2008
at 7:02 am