What would you do? (Read 747 times)

I am training for a marathon over a 7 week period. The marathon is on April 21st. Should I run another long run this Saturday; 18 or 20 miles, or should I race a 10K that happens that day? Or should I do both? Thanks for your help!

Hey I have a marathon on April 21st too. What a coincidence. FWIW I'm probably running 20 miles on Sunday just to see if I still can. I'd do what Lank said. But I'm only a couple years older than him and immature for my age.

I am training for a marathon over a 7 week period. The marathon is on April 21st. Should I run another long run this Saturday; 18 or 20 miles, or should I race a 10K that happens that day? Or should I do both? Thanks for you help!

Race the 10k, with a 3-mile warmup and a 3-mile cooldown. You don't need to push to get to 18 or 20.

And now I have to revise my suggestion as I can't agree with Mike and Marcus as they are elitist swamp dwellers and I am the voice of the people. I think you should stretch for 30-37 minutes, race a trail-based 5k, and then lift weights for two hours while listening to an iPod shuffle.

Wait, wait, wait..I got it.... Snort two, not one lines of fine crushed garlic. Run intervals as a warmup, length and pace of your choice. Run the 10k backwards to work the leg muscles in reverse Then do the long run at Ludicrous speed.

If you're wearing the iPod Shuffle, you can do your runs at Ludacris speed.

What Lank said. How fast do Ludacris run long runs?

Well, I can't race a trail-based 5K! The race being held is on streets only, and I certainly can't lift weights for 2 hours, the physical therpist getting my shoulder back on track would kill me!

Before soliciting our response you should have indicated that you weren't willing to give 101%. Sigh. Have you heard the saying about excuses? It's like judging a book with the mouth of a gift horse. It never works.

Thanks! Realistically I don't think I can make myself do a 3 mile warm-up, so I think I will try the 1 mile warm-up, train through the 10K and head out for a nice long 10 miler. I do have to be careful at my age!

I'd go ahead with the 10k in light of the recent 20-milers you've done. However, I strongly advise that you do longer warmups. I believe one of the single biggest mistakes runners make is not doing a thorough enough warmup. It surely isn't going to deplete the energy stores of someone who runs 3 hours at time. You should do a longer warmup for the simple reason that it will help you to race faster. Never mind the idea of trying to turn it into a long workout as a substitute--that's not even the main reason. Don't be so stubborn!! P.S. I also endorse the idea of a longish run the day after races that are 10k or shorter. If you are up to it, a 14-15 miler would be a good training stimulus.