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Debut Marathon, Thoughts? (Read 210 times)

harisubbu


    Your racing history is so similar to mine. I went through several 1/2 marathons breaking 2 hours just on 2 occasions before venturing into marathon territory.

     

    I went through the same thought processes, hesitations, concerns expressed by you. Having completed my 5th marathon at a PR time of 4:14 recently, I feel that you can reasonably aim for anywhere between 4:10 to 4:30 (yes that is wide range). My training mileage was only in the mid 30s in my highest month and I also walk at water breaks.

     

    A couple of things that I have learned from  during my own recent marathons. - I thought I will share with you a couple of blogs /race reports from my recent marathons that you may find useful

     

    Going in I know my weekly mileage is not enough for the time I desire but I continue to improve with each race.

     

    My longest training run of 22 mile  with all the breaks exactly matched my marathon finished time. So time on feet rather than pace seems to have helped immensely

     

    Have never run with a pace group, All my marathons are very small events so much so there was not a runner 50 yards from me in some cases.

     

    Marathon#4 - felt strong in 1st half, finished 1st half 6 minutes faster than goal time and ended up giving all of those 6 minutes back plus some more, 2nd half was a full 18 minutes slower than the first - I gave back 12 minutes instead of the 6 I though I picked up in the half

    Finished 4:28 for a PR but was a mighty struggle from mile 20 onwards. Race Report in my blog here.

    http://harisubrahmanyan.blogspot.com/2013/05/bob-potts-rail-trail-marathon-york-pa.html

     

    Marathon#5 - Consciously held back in 1st half, came in at 2:08 exactly on plan and despite the struggle at mile 22 managed to get a negative split and finished with a 4:14. Was very pleased with that. Race report here.

     

    http://harisubrahmanyan.blogspot.com/2013/11/potomac-river-run-marathon-november-17_7060.html

     

    Again good luck!

     

    hari

    hog4life


      Your racing history is so similar to mine. I went through several 1/2 marathons breaking 2 hours just on 2 occasions before venturing into marathon territory.

       

      I went through the same thought processes, hesitations, concerns expressed by you. Having completed my 5th marathon at a PR time of 4:14 recently, I feel that you can reasonably aim for anywhere between 4:10 to 4:30 (yes that is wide range). My training mileage was only in the mid 30s in my highest month and I also walk at water breaks.

       

      A couple of things that I have learned from  during my own recent marathons. - I thought I will share with you a couple of blogs /race reports from my recent marathons that you may find useful

       

      Going in I know my weekly mileage is not enough for the time I desire but I continue to improve with each race.

       

      My longest training run of 22 mile  with all the breaks exactly matched my marathon finished time. So time on feet rather than pace seems to have helped immensely

       

      Have never run with a pace group, All my marathons are very small events so much so there was not a runner 50 yards from me in some cases.

       

      Marathon#4 - felt strong in 1st half, finished 1st half 6 minutes faster than goal time and ended up giving all of those 6 minutes back plus some more, 2nd half was a full 18 minutes slower than the first - I gave back 12 minutes instead of the 6 I though I picked up in the half

      Finished 4:28 for a PR but was a mighty struggle from mile 20 onwards. Race Report in my blog here.

      http://harisubrahmanyan.blogspot.com/2013/05/bob-potts-rail-trail-marathon-york-pa.html

       

      Marathon#5 - Consciously held back in 1st half, came in at 2:08 exactly on plan and despite the struggle at mile 22 managed to get a negative split and finished with a 4:14. Was very pleased with that. Race report here.

       

      http://harisubrahmanyan.blogspot.com/2013/11/potomac-river-run-marathon-november-17_7060.html

       

      Again good luck!

       

      hari

       

      Hari, thank you for sharing.

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