Competitive Jerks Racing and Training - 2023 (Read 575 times)

 

 

me - After every sequence of logical thoughts I arrive at the same conclusion that I'm not ready. Not enough mileage. MP runs feel like HMP pace runs, they don't feel easy at all.

 

I know the feeling. Going into my first marathon I had run exactly one training run over 16 miles, and that was a leisurely 18 mile social run with friends.  We didn't know about MP runs back then, we just trained in general and raced frequently over many distances.  Not feeling ready actually helped me because it encouraged me to be conservative at the start..

OMG people!!!

WC and Fishy just said exactly what I was talking about this morning 

I just ran 3 miles at MP effort that felt like HMP effort. Most of the times the last week before the race feels not really good - you are running so much less during last two weeks and it it feels you are losing fitness very fast. But as all 27 marathons I ran before show, that's not true - almost always you should rely more on your training than on your feel during last two weeks before the race.

flavio - just believe in what you put into your training. Your training cycle was impressive, your long runs were consistent and fast enough. You had a best cycle. All the rest is in your head. Sheer belief is not just a belief - that's a reality - you cannot ignore the training you had - it worked for most of us and it will work for you. You should be aware of it. You should not get doubts in your head. Even if you feel bad during 1, 2 or 3 miles during your race - remember, it's not 2 or 3 miles, it's 26 miles - it's a long distance! Concentrate on getting run first two-three miles close to your marathon pace, focus and try to get into the rhythm. Don't think too much too far away - just mile after mile. That will work!

Mikkey - if your wife knew how handsome your Russian competitor is, she would not think you are crazy to beat him 

Flavio - Agree with everything everyone else has said.  The brain is such a pain sometimes.  I come into marathon week thinking I'm unfit, haven't done enough, can't hold the pace...then if I look back over my training, and get surprised by how much I've done.  Look at your last few months.  Huge!  I don't think I've seen you this fit over my 5 years here.  Nothing is going to stop you, you've always had speed, now you've got a ton of endurance in the bag.

My mental skills coach told me not to fear the bad thoughts, everyone gets them.  Just acknowledge them, then let them float away.  Smile at people this week and on race morning.  Start 10 seconds per mile slower and ease down to marathon pace over the first 3.  I think everything is in place for a good day.  You've got about 32km of nice easy running before it's game time - enjoy that part of the race and don't spend it worrying about something that hasn't happened.

 

I know the feeling. Going into my first marathon I had run exactly one training run over 16 miles, and that was a leisurely 18 mile social run with friends.  We didn't know about MP runs back then, we just trained in general and raced frequently over many distances.  Not feeling ready actually helped me because it encouraged me to be conservative at the start..

I am not sure you can compare being unprepared to being Flavio.

This guy has trained like a workhorse every single day. He ran all the streets of Porto even the ones where Police refuses to go. His long runs would make all of us puke. He is ready to the point. I don’t know what happened in Köln but I know that he is going to smash it in Valencia. 

Just relax man, let the Brazilian side of you shine through you will do great in Spain! Gracias, obrigado & echale huevos they say or con los dos cojones depending on the mood

 

I never said I was unprepared; I said I felt that way.  Lot's of talk about 20 mile runs, which I'd never done. But with a sub-1:00 10 mile PB and logging 50-55 mpw avg. for the preceding 18 months, it wasn't like I'd only completed a Higdon novice program. Running 2:59 certainly indicated I was better prepared than I felt.

He ran a lot more than that in his prep. We shall see, but a long run of 16M - that sounds like the Daniels Q2 plan that ended in complete disaster for me. Some people just have the strength I guess

 

He ran a lot more than that in his prep. We shall see, but a long run of 16M - that sounds like the Daniels Q2 plan that ended in complete disaster for me. Some people just have the strength I guess

From what I've heard, my training was probably more like Hanson's plans.  In any case lots of high quality speed work including frequent racing.  I wish I still had my logs from that time, but while my average was 50-55 mpw, I have vague recollections of weekly mileage ranging from 40 to 70 miles. Aside from the track work most of that was also run on Connecticut's hills.

This guy has trained like a workhorse every single day. He ran all the streets of Porto even the ones where Police refuses to go. 

LOL thanks Mick 😄 FYI there's a new Brazilian show on Netflix called "Criminal code", you can see some real levels of crime there.

Thanks all for the positive vibes, sorry I'm being a drama queen.

Fishy mode from now till the race. Fewer words, more running 🏃‍♂️

 

From what I've heard, my training was probably more like Hanson's plans.  In any case lots of high quality speed work including frequent racing.  I wish I still had my logs from that time, but while my average was 50-55 mpw, I have vague recollections of weekly mileage ranging from 40 to 70 miles. Aside from the track work most of that was also run on Connecticut's hills.

I really wish I could have seen you back in the day. Sounds like you were a really gifted and talented runner.