26.2 in 8 weeks
By Linda
So I finished the race in New Orleans thinking wow, I am never, ever, EVER going to try a full 26.2 mile run, my GOD, no WAY—then two days after I got home I signed up for the Eugene marathon. Which is, um, in 8 weeks.
It’s a little hard to explain, but here’s my thinking:
• Right now, I’ve got about half the training done. If I look at one of Hal Higdon’s novice training plans, I can sort of put myself in Week 10. Now, I haven’t been consistently logging the weekday miles he recommends, nor have I been running that exact schedule of long runs, but . . . well, I’m close. If I want to check MARATHON off my life list—and I guess I do, otherwise what the HELL is this all about?—this seems like a good time to go for it, because I don’t have to start out at the beginning of a long training schedule.
• The bad news is it’s in 8 weeks. The good news is, it’s only eight weeks of hellish training, one big awful day, and it’s DONE. DOOOONE. I can finish training while the weather’s still cool, I don’t have to have this goal looming over my head for months on end (like if I chose the more sane date of the Portland marathon in October, say), I can do it and spend the summer on my bike and kickboxing and doing things other than running all the damn time.
• It’s in Eugene, where we have lots of family who will come out to cheer me on (or watch me die!). It’s a flat course. It shouldn’t be too hot, hopefully. I won’t have to fly anywhere or stay in a hotel.
If I was nervous about the half, I’m absolutely terrified about the full. Mostly because everyone who runs a marathon goes through hell, no matter what kind of shape they’re in. Wasn’t it Lance Fucking Armstrong who said his NYC marathon was the hardest physical challenge he’d ever done? Sure, he ran it in like three hours or whatever, but still. THIS IS GOING TO SUCK, A WHOLE LOT.
I’m not 100% sure I can pull it off, to be honest. I ran 15 miles a couple days ago and I was extremely slow and very sore afterwards. My knees, hips, and quads all registered complaints on a brand new level. I’m guessing my marathon time would be around 5 hours. It’s very, very hard to imagine running for two more hours past what I did on Friday.
Still, I’m going to give this a shot. When I started training for the half I couldn’t see myself running for 4 miles, much less 13. I’m trying to trust the training and remember how far I’ve come.
About that training. It isn’t going to be easy, not just from an oh-god-this-is-awful standpoint, but because of how time intensive it will be. Once I got in something close to a 13 mile run during my New Orleans training, I figured everything else was mostly gravy—if I missed a run here and there, no big deal. This is different, in that I can’t afford to slack because it’s going to take every single thing I’ve got in me and then some to finish those 26 miles. My longest training run will be 20 miles, so no matter what that feels like (presumably TERRIBLE) I won’t know what 21 will feel like. Or 22. Etc.
My plan to adapt the Higdon Novice 1 schedule as follows:
• Monday morning short run
• Wednesday morning sorta-long run
• Friday long run (these are my days home from work, and I will plan to have the kids in school during the first part of the day; the idea here is to minimize how much my training impacts our family life on the weekends)
• Saturday: light cross training of some kind
• Sunday: recovery short run
Yoga and stretching when I can do it.
It’s the same number of runs as the Higdon schedule, but not in the same order. I don’t know if that’s okay or not, but this is what I can do given the constraints of work/parenting/school/weekends I don’t want to sacrifice to the running gods/etc. I’ll be listening to my body and will back off and re-evaluate the goal if it seems like I’m heading towards injury, of course.
So . . . yeah, that’s the plan. Oh god! I’m totally freaked out just describing this to you. I don’t even really know what this is all about, except I can’t stop thinking of the possibility of actually finishing. Actually running a goddamned marathon. Can I really do this? I have no idea. But I’m going to try.
From those with experience, any advice for making the most of these 8 weeks is more than welcome!
March 7th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Sounds like a totally sensible plan. I actually signed up for my first marathon with only a couple 10ks under my belt…you’re leaps and bounds ahead of that : ) My only advice is to watch Spirit of the Marathon sometime if you haven’t already. I dorkishly sometimes re-watch it the night before a really long run to get my head in the right place.
March 7th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Your schedule looks great. My only comment is to make sure you’re taking that recovery run super-easy, even if you feel surprisingly awesome for sone reason. Good luck!
March 7th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
If at all possible, move that cross-training to Tuesday and give yourself a “stretching only” day on Saturday. At these distances, you REALLY need to let your muscles recover and rebuild before you stress them again.
I’ve used Hal Higdon’s plans and never run more than 3 times a week (I swap out a run for cross-training). You might consider that, too, if your joints are complaining loudly.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
You mentioned loving the Nike Frees . . . are you running in them exclusively? I recently bought a pair, and I do love them, but I still use my Mizuno Wave Riders for runs longer than 6 miles. Long runs in the Frees KILL my knees and hips. Maybe you need a little more cushioned shoe for your increase mileage? I still switch it up, though. Just thinking out loud.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
You can do it Linda! You’re such an inspiration.
March 7th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Enjoy the 8 weeks! I ran many half marathons and then decided to and did run my first full marathon in October (and really ended up messing up my hips — so I’m still working back up to running again): my advice is to really listen to your body (be strict about adding yoga and stretching to your routines). If you need rest, take it. I also got the advice to change one of the two 20-milers scheduled in Higdon’s training plan to a 22-miler (just to get you closer to the feeling of what 26.2 will be like. Also — consider adding a salt tablet to your routine at the end (it will help ward off cramps and such). I believe I took mine around mile 16-17 at the Twin Cities Marathon and it did help. You also may want to have two pairs of shoes in rotation.
March 7th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I highly recommend Spirit of the Marathon. I believe it’s on Netflix instant. It’ll make you want to go out and run a marathon RIGHT NOW. And meh, you’ll definitely be ready. Don’t worry about it!
March 7th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
You’re right that you’re halfway there as far as training goes, so I think you can totally do it. My advice includes hydrating CONSTANTLY, adding another pair of shoes into your rotation (and go to a reputable running store to get some recs, there), and lining up a few willing friends to join you on both your training runs AND in the marathon itself, if possible. My husband and I ran Chicago together back in 2003, and we hauled each other along through the crappy parts. Maybe you can get someone who runs a similar pace to jump in around mile 18 and get you to the finish?
March 8th, 2010 at 4:47 am
I think it’s awesome that you are signed up to do a marathon. I’m not sure that’s on my life list but we’ll see after I do my half in Sept. I have heard that they are addicting though. I wonder if you’ll catch the marathon bug after this race? Can’t wait to hear about your training. Good luck!
March 8th, 2010 at 5:12 am
I think you’ve got a good plan of attack. The only thing I would caution is that you are upping the same amount of miles in 8 weeks that it took you 14 (?) weeks to get to with your half. Be very, very careful of injury. It’s a little rushed, but as you said, then you can take a break from running and have it not consume your life. Also, it is going to consume your life moreso than it has. AND you will have one very very bad long run. But, you can do this. Use your same tricks you discovered during your half training: don’t forget to refuel and make sure you fuel properly the day before your long run. Stretch lots, and I agree, you may need to cut it back to three runs a week and that’s fine. I think by the end of my training, I was getting in one additional run besides my long run for a few weeks while battling sore knees or hips (I can’t remember). And that’s ok. Also, 20 miles seems a lot shorter than 26, but I think most plans go that way. I know my longest run was supposed to be 32kms (which I think is around 20 miles). I tried to get a 36k run in and never did. So you’ll be ok.
And, good luck!!!
March 8th, 2010 at 7:46 am
You go, Linda! After doing my 2nd half this past weekend, I admire your dedication. I still can’t imagine doing that distance twice!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:18 am
You can do it! I have run several half marathons and did my first marathon in 2009. I had the same excitement as well as anxiety about doing the marathon. Take my word that it will be an amazing experience. You’ll push yourself in ways you haven’t before. No matter what your finish time is, you’ll be hit with a wave of accomplishment. Trust your training. Trust what your body tells you. My only technical advice is go slower. Running double the distance means your training pace should be surprisingly (but acceptably!) slower.
In conclusion, you can ABSOLUTELY do this! Own it!!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I am in awe. That is all.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:02 am
I’m running 2.5 miles tonight, the farthest/longest I’ve ever run at one time, so my advice would be: uhhhhhhhhh. AREN’T I HELPFUL!
But I will say this, I never thought I’d run a mile or two or register for my very first 5K. I hoped! But, nope, never thought I’d actually kick my ass in gear enough to DO IT. When I’m doing the actual running I want to quit A HELLUVA LOT OF TIMES MY GOD but I don’t for many reasons but one is this: I’m excited to write and share my accomplishment on BIM. You’ve inspired me to keep running when I want to quit and that’s something no one else has ever been able to motivate within me, INCLUDING MYSELF.
So, imagine all of us at the finish line cheering you on for all you’ve done for yourself and for all you’ve done for us.
You can definitely do this. Not a single reader doubts that.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
If Oprah and P.Diddy can do it, so can you. Seriously.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:43 am
“One big awful day, and it’s DONE.”
Yeah, right. I predict the minute you’ve finished your marathon, you’ll sign up for the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii because you just have to “get it out of your system” or “check it off your life list.”
That’s your pattern, right? The moment you’ve finished showering after completing one big event (whether the stair climb, or the sprint tri, or the half) you hop on the computer and sign up for another bigger event.
I’m fascinated by your life, and your writing. I think you’re “addicted” to achievement. I think you just LOVE having goals.
I think this is why you don’t get stessed out by your super-structured, every-minute-is-planned, high-achieving days. Something about having a goal is — I suspect — relaxing for you. You like knowing that you’re taking the next step towards something bigger. It puts you at peace with your life.
This is just my hypothesis. But there’s got to be some explanation for your freakish overachievement.
Oh, and also, GOOD LUCK IN EUGENE!
March 9th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Just make sure you allow enough time to taper – and take the long slow distance runs as just that – long runs aren’t the time to push your pace as well.
You;ll do great!
March 10th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
A friend helped me with my training for the Chicago Marathon in 2005 (life list item = done) and I know that he stressed it was important just to get the miles in so I think it’s fine if you switch it up a big as long as you’re giving yourself enough time to recover. I also remember people talking about doing two shorter runs on the same day to take the place of one long run but I don’t know if that’s something that still “works” (I never tried it). LOVE reading about your training and accomplishments – it’s such an inspiration for me and is probably why I signed up for a 1/2 again in May!
March 13th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
This is important. All that jazz about your legs only storing enough glycogen for 20 miles and OH NO THE WALL. Forget it all. The marathon is where you rise above all that stupid physiological science, put your head down, and go. I like to make believe the cops are chasing me. Sometimes, I act like my grandma’s dying and she’s at the finish line, waiting to say goodbye. Whatever it takes. There’s not many feelings that compare with finishing. Makes you feel cool.
March 30th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Have you watched Eddies Izzard do a marathon a day for something like 4 weeks, running round UK for charity, amazing and make you feel it might be a piece of cake, just one!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00r8zr8/Eddie_Izzard_Marathon_Man_Episode_1/