After weeks of not being able to get enough midweek runs in, I did ok this week:
Monday: 3 miles in 29:29 -- It was dark, the sidewalks were clogged with trick-or-treaters, and my headlamp battery was dying. Other than that, it was a good run.
Tuesday: 8 miles in 1:18 -- Good hilly run on Tuesday night through Manchester and Mt. Wolf.
Thursday: 5.36 miles in 55:32 -- This one was really, really tough. I think I undid myself by hitting the steep hills really early in my run today. I was also running at lunch and it was 57 degrees, which is a pleasant running temperature, but is also much warmer than the early-morning or late-evening temperatures I've been running in over the past few weeks, when it's usually been in the 30s or low 40s.
I'm debating what to do with the long run this Saturday. My 20-miler was two weeks ago, and I'm debating trying for another. Officially, I'm supposed to only run 12, but why listen to Higdon now when I've ignored his wisdom for two months? (Next week's long run, in the last weekend before the marathon, is 8 miles)
Another 20 miler would be a good confidence boost, and I don't really have the expectation of a great marathon -- just finishing will suffice -- which I expect/hope will mean running 20ish miles and mixing in some walk breaks to get through the last six.
On the other hand, I don't think the length of my last real long run, whether it's 15-16 or 20, will make or break my marathon. I broke it in October when I lost my willpower at the worst possible time.
go with what feels right. it always works.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your last paragraph. (says the girl who has yet to run 20 miles for philly training...)
ReplyDeleteI'd say another 20 will definitely be more helpful than hurtful, unless you break a leg or tear a hamstring...but let's try not to think about that! :) A two week taper is adequate and a 20-miler will help your glycogen stores, plus more time on your feet. Heck, walk it if you want!!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone, except for the comment I'm going to delete advertising the medal displays :-)
ReplyDeleteWill and Jill, thank you for being my enablers. I am leaning toward running it. I do understand the importance of tapering and if I had done a better job w/base miles or if I had more aggressive marathon goals for this race, I would probably cap it at 15 or so.
Val -- I only ran 18 for Shamrock and feel like I did ok there, but my base miles were a lot better than they were this time around. I get the impression that you do much (much!) better than me on base miles, and I suspect you'll already be having a celebratory drink or be well into a well-earned nap by the time I drag my carcass to the finish line. :-)