I am currently 14 weeks out from my 5th Marine Corps Marathon. I’ve done Hal Higdon’s training plan twice and attempted Hansons training plan twice. I say attempted because it’s a really hard plan and I’ve never been able to hit all of the mileage at all the right paces. Last year was closer than the previous year and I went into the race feeling strong and ready and planning to gun for a PR.
And completely fell apart at mile 16. I know some of that was the ridiculous heat and some was poor fueling choices on my part, but the race felt hard from the first step. And it never improved. The first mistake I made was not admitting it was not my day and slowing down after mile 2 or 3 or 4 or… (Mile 1 might lie, but you’d think I’d listen to my body when things haven’t improved by mile 4 or so.)
I’m not making that mistake this year. Last year I made the decision that I was not going for a PR this year. I haven’t changed my mind. I am running for fun and out there to enjoy the atmosphere.
(source)
So how do I get from barely running to running a marathon in 14 weeks? Very, very carefully. I’ve created a plan that includes 3 “real” days of running and one “fun” day (AKA run club where I sometimes walk, sometimes run, sometimes just have a beer.) I also had to take into account the weekends I’ll be at ZOOMA races. I’m pretty sure I can’t squeeze in a double digit run with the kind of hours I work there. (Heck, I’m just hoping I can run the shorter distances at most of the races.)
I’m not going to share my plan here for two reasons: 1) knowing me, I’ll probably not actually follow it exactly and 2) I would not recommend it to anyone without a decent base and a good bit of experience running longer distances. What I will tell you is that most of my long runs are between 14-16 miles and I won’t be running a 20 mile training run. And I’ll be making up the difference by lifting heavy 3 days a week.
Fingers crossed I have a fun MCM. I know I’ll finish – after all, I almost quit at mile 16 last year and managed to rally and still finish sub-5 (which is not even a goal this year since I’m currently running 11:30 miles, post injury). And maybe, just maybe, these guys will be waiting in the last mile again…
Have you ever run a longer race undertrained? Was it intentional or not? I’ve definitely been undertrained before, but this is the first time I’m choosing to train conservatively rather than try to “catch up”.
And if you are looking for topics for the next couple of months, here you go!
7/24 free topic
7/31 Grade your month
8/7 Whats your running BHAG? (big hairy audacious goal)
8/14 How has running changed you?
8/21 Summer running goals still left to check off
8/28 Grade your month
9/4 Fall running plans/favorites
9/11 How will your running/schedule change in fall?
9/18 Favorite ways to keep running exciting?
9/25 Grade your month
Loading InLinkz ...
Although a 10K isn’t a long run for most people, it’s a long run for me, and I once ran it undertrained. I was suuuuper sore the day after, but because I was in generally okay shape, I didn’t get injured or anything like that.
Good luck with your training! Hope all goes well.
It’s amazing how our attitude towards a race going into it (and training for it) can effect our performance. I’ve had a training plan similar to the one you are thinking of doing for my last marathon and it was a great race for me over all. I have no doubt you’ll do great!
I did the MCM a couple years ago and it was so hot that those guys were basically the only thing that got me to the end. It’s great that you have a plan to train for you and not to try to catch up. Whenever I try to do the catch-up I tend to get hurt and fall further behind.
Oh, yes, I ran Big Sur woefully undertrained. I had been battling PF and doing all that pool running. It was fine. I had a goal to finish, hopefully around 5 hours. I enjoyed the race, finished in 5:08. I couldn’t walk the rest of the day but was fine after that.
You’ll be fine. Experience matters.
I love your attitude! I know you’ll have fun and finish.
I had signed up for this race but sold my bib last week. Taking a break from marathons for now.
I agree that the Hansons Training Plan is tough!
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…NuGo Egg White Protein Bars Review
Sounds like you have a smart running plan. I ran the BAA half marathon under trained because I had been sidelined with an injury. It was part 3 of a medley and I REALLY wanted that medal! Not the best idea, but I got the bling!
AmyC recently posted…Treadmill Workouts for Non-Runners
Wishing you good luck with the race! With that attitude, you can’t go wrong. And not many people could just go out and do a marathon. Hope you have some good eye candy to keep you motivated 🙂
Melissa recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run – Slow and Steady
I like the sound of your adjusted plan and realistic goals! That’s definitely the best way to approach a marathon! I have run a race undertrained (Flying Pig) and it was a combo of accidental (training in the winter + snow and ice) and laziness (didn’t want to run in the cold and didn’t want to pay for a (really inexpensive) membership at the Y). There was definitely more walking than planned but I still enjoyed myself! Fingers crossed you do too and that those two cuties are there to cheer you in! 😀
My first half was definitely undertrained, mainly because I used a Nike foot pod & it was really inaccurate.
We’re all so different & frankly training should be different from person to person!
I’ll train to PR, but when it comes to the actual race, I don’t have elapsed time on my watch. I do much better not knowing if I’m on track to PR!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…My First 5k Didn’t Change My Life
I had to walk the entire WDW half in 2014 due to my ITBS. All I wanted to do was cross that finish line, and I’ve never been happier. It may have been a miserable race, but I’m proud of that medal.
I don’t really train but I try to get in my long runs. Sometimes I do not. As a result, it’s surprise if I do PR. Mostly I race for fun. i think that’s the most important thing.
It sounds like you have a realistic plan in place and you certainly have the experience to pull this off!
Ha! I’ve run EVERY race untrained (seriously!), including all 7 of my marathons. My only goal ever is to finish, and that I do! I run when I can and walk when I have to (which is often), but I get it done! I did MCM last year and loved it! Looking forward to watching your progress toward your goal!
I am running MCM too (for the first time). I will be looking forward to seeing those marines in the last mile!
Both times I’ve run Grandma’s Marathon, I’ve been slightly under trained. I blame most of that due to the timing…the race is mid-June, and my springs have been nutzo crazy with end-of-year stuff for the kids. Now that the last “chick” is flying the coop in a month, the spring may be more conducive to proper training 😉
Don’t think anyone would think of you as “not really running”. You can bang out those half races every week! Sounds like you have found a plan that works for you so why change it? Hope we can get some runs in this fall together.
I know you’ll be fine. You know yourself and have loads of experience under your belt. My undertrained marathons have been due to coming off of injury. MCM was one. So was Berlin. Finishing is winning. Lifting heavy will take you far too.
Sounds like you have a shrewd running arrangement. I ran the BAA half marathon under prepared on the grounds that I had been sidelined with damage. It was section 3 of a variety and I REALLY needed that award! Not the best thought, but rather I got the bling!