Committed Deux -- spring marathon comeback (Read 874 times)

After running 2:39 on very sub-par preparation and a very talented former college teammate going 2:26 on only 80 mpw or less the same day, I think the fire to be competitive again is sufficiently re-stoked to commit to a spring marathon plan. The goal is to go 2:26 or faster. Preliminary race plan: late March - half marathon early May - Indianapolis Mini Marathon late Mate - Bayshore Marathon (Traverse City, MI) This maximizes my preparation time, which will start in earnest in late November (I have not run since Louisville and will resume around Nov 9th). I was not a member here when I was running fast but have shared bits and pieces of what that training was like here and there. In 2005, I was over-trained in the fall and also ran a marathon on sub-par training (2:36, not quite so sub-par). I subsequently resumed serious training in December and despite being over 16 for 5K in January went on to set all of my PRs in March-May of 2006. Given the similarities in timing and situation (Bayshore was also my target for 2006, and I also ran a half marathon late March), I think it would be neat to share not just the training I do to get back in shape this winter, but also show what I did "3 years ago this week in history" for comparison. Since that cannot easily be accomplished in the log I will update it in this thread on a weekly basis. I'm under no illusion that I will be returning to sub-31 10K shape, I can't see myself having THAT much time available. But the comparison will be interesting nonetheless.

Good luck! I'm running Bayshore as well and will be, uh, a few minutes behind you!

Way to get back at it spaniel, I'm very much looking forward to your posts. Best of luck to you!

The goal is to go 2:26 or faster.

Get 'im spaniel!

me too. next fall. not kidding. there are 2 others here with the same goal.

Well, I was around the other place at the other time ... and I will join you. Although genetically less capacity and so the goal will be less. Like you I had my most success in 2006. My goal marathon will be May 17th at Green Bay WI and my goal is for a 6 minute PR = 2:39 ... so a full 30 seconds per mile slower than you! I believe that you can do it! You will get the most out of your training time and train smart. aka MTP / WI MTP / RunForFun / Flounder

Week of 11/17: M- 8 miles easy 6:58 pace T- 8 miles easy on tm 6:42 pace W- 8.25 miles easy/mod 6:33 avg w/last .25 good pickup R- 4 miles on tm 6:42 pace F-10.25 miles easy 6:42 pace w/fast last .25 Sa-off Su-10.25 miles; 1st 8.25 easy 6:37 avg last 2 6:09, 5:48 Total for week: 48.75 miles Three years ago this week: M-off T-off W-off R-10 miles easy/hilly 6:33 pace F-off Sa-off Su-16 miles easy 6:41 pace Total for week: 26 miles

This week I introduced a treadmill hill workout that would become a staple over the coming months to chart my progress (see Tuesday). Week of 12/1: M- off T- On tm; 2 mile wu 6:58, then 10X(1min 10mph@8% / 1min 6mph@2%), 7min rest 6:58 pace, then 3X(1min 10mph@10% / 2min 6mph@2%). 1.25mile cd for 8 total W- 4 easy 6:42 R- 11 easy/mod 6:26 F- 2 mile wu 6:58, 5X(1min 10mph@8% / 1min 6mph@2%), about 2.5 miles 6:42 pace for 5 total Sa- off Su- 13 miles 6:43 avg, felt tired Total for week: 41 miles 3 years ago this week: M- off T- Late AM, 3 mile wu then 6 mile tempo 5:42 avg, felt good, cd for 12.25 total. PM, 7.75 very easy 7:03 avg W- 11.25 easy 6:32 R- AM, 8 miles easy 6:40. PM, 4 miles on tm 2 @ 6:53 then 5:51-5:25 F- off Sa- 6 easy 6:49 Su- 16 overall avg 6:37. 1st half 6:53, so 2nd half 6:21 avg. Total for week: 65.25 miles