I ran my first marathon last Oct (Chicago). My time was around 4:20. I felt like I certainly had more in me at the end, but being my first, I just wanted to finish...
In any case, I am training again. When I compare my training log now to that of last year I can see that I am clearly a stronger runner (i.e. running 4-6 miles at 7:30 pace fairly easily, whereas last year it took me months to run at that pace). I certainly don't think I can get a Boston qualifying time my 2nd marathon, but I want to train as though that is my goal. But I just don't know what sort of pace I should be doing training runs at. Also, my training is complicated by the fact that I am simultaneously training to climb Mt Rainier in July (a very tough endurance climb). One of the climbing guides said to not do my long weekend runs til after the climb. He said he has run several marathons and finds that to be a good rule.
So given that I won't be starting my long runs (as in 12 miles plus) til 3rd week of July, what sort of plan should I be on? I have a way better base than last year. Right now I am running around 10 miles a week. I know that is well under the recommended base of 20-25 miles a week the month before training. But all the hiking I have been doing has my legs in very good shape (usually 1 10 mile, 6-8 hour hike per weekend, at good enough pace to keep my heart rate around 160 the entire time; and with 45 lb backpack) Any help is appreciated!
I ran my first marathon last Oct (Chicago). My time was around 4:20. I felt like I certainly had more in me at the end, but being my first, I just wanted to finish...
In any case, I am training again. When I compare my training log now to that of last year I can see that I am clearly a stronger runner (i.e. running 4-6 miles at 7:30 pace fairly easily, whereas last year it took me months to run at that pace). I certainly don't think I can get a Boston qualifying time my 2nd marathon, but I want to train as though that is my goal. But I just don't know what sort of pace I should be doing training runs at.
Have you recently run any shorter races? A 10K would be good just to see how far away you are from realistically shooting for a Boston qualifier. That's sort of how I did. But I didn't even think about it until I was running some 10K times that were in line with a BQ. Once you run your 10K, plug the time into this web site: http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/rununiv/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm It will tell you what your marathon time would be, assuming you trained appropriately for it. You can also see what you get for the various training paces - long runs, easy runs, tempo runs, VO2 workouts, etc.
Have you recently run any shorter races? A 10K would be good just to see how far away you are from realistically shooting for a Boston qualifier. That's sort of how I did. But I didn't even think about it until I was running some 10K times that were in line with a BQ. Once you run your 10K, plug the time into this web site: http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/rununiv/mcmillanrunningcalculator.htm It will tell you what your marathon time would be, assuming you trained appropriately for it. You can also see what you get for the various training paces - long runs, easy runs, tempo runs, VO2 workouts, etc.
I ran my first marathon last Oct (Chicago). My time was around 4:20. I felt like I certainly had more in me at the end, but being my first, I just wanted to finish...
In any case, I am training again. <snip>
I'm training for the Chicago Marathon this year myself--first time! (C: The most helpful site I've found, both for training plans and for advice, is Hal Higdon's site:
Hal is the author of "Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide". His site has a lot of training plans and advice on it, plus there are great interactive forums:
So given that I won't be starting my long runs (as in 12 miles plus) til 3rd week of July, what sort of plan should I be on? I have a way better base than last year. Right now I am running around 10 miles a week.
I hope you talking about a 2008 Chicago marathon with that kind of base. I'd work the next two years, running year round, to get the base up to 40 to 60 miles a week, then start working in the long runs.
