Week four

[El Gordo]

Hi Suzie

Good to hear from you. Sorry, I'd forgotten about you doing Stratford. How are you feeling about it? How's the training been?

Andy

[Antonio247]

Hello, Suzie

Thanks a lot. I also wish you good luck at Stratford marathon. I liked a lot William Shakespeare and Nigel´s hometown. I´m sure you´ll finish all right. I really enjoy the walk breaks since they make me have little goals instead of thinking that I´ve got to run 26 miles, I just think I´ve got to run for 20 or 25 minutes. It´s good for your muscles and psychologically is fantastic.

I´ll also be thinking that you´re running in Stratford-upon-Avon. It would have been great you had joined us with your marathon training diary.

Have a nice trip to UK and keep us informed, Suzie.

Best wishes,

Antonio

PS. As Hamlet would say "To run or not to run the marathon, that is the question". For us, it is clearly TO RUN.

[suzieq]

My training was going really good until last weekend - I was supposed to do 26 miles and cratered after 20. I had to run about 10 km. of it straight into a 60 km. wind and I think that wiped me out. But besides that, I feel pretty good. My aim is to finish in 4 hr. 30 min., but I'll be happy just to finish. And I'm looking forward to enjoying a pint or two of good English beer once I'm done!

Thanks for your good wishes Andy and Antonio - I'll let you know how it goes - and be anxious to hear how yours went as well Antonio.

[Antonio247]

Hello, Suzie

You´re doing very well. It´s a pity you couldn´t do 26 miles last weekend but you´ll do them at Stratford marathon. In Hal Higdon´s novice marathon training schedule, a 20 miler is the longest distance you have to do before the marathon. So, don´t worry about it. Besides, running 20 miles on such a windy day is as if you had run more than 26 miles.

I intend to take some walk breaks as I mention in my last post in week 3. How often do you intend to take a walk break at the marathon? I think that I´ll do one every 2.5 kms, that is, around one mile and a half. I´ll drink a little water while I´m walking.

My target is also to finish around 4 hours 30 minutes. My PB in half marathon is 2 hours 2 minutes 43 seconds. It´s a pity we aren´t running the same marathon, so that we could go together.


Good luck, Suzie.

Antonio

PS. Good luck, Andy, at the Maidenhead Easter 10. What a beautiful name. I didn´t know Maidenhead was a town in Berkshire. I like the distance too. Ten miles is a reasonable distance, neither too short nor too long.

[El Gordo]

Originally posted by anlu247
Ten miles is a reasonable distance, neither too short nor too long.

I'll give you my view on that later, Antonio. Am just off now -- will report back in a few hours.

Andy

[Antonio247]

Well done, Andy. I´m glad you enjoyed the race and the cross buns. Besides, you finished earlier than expected. That´s great. If you go on like this, you´ll do Copenhagen marathon under 4.30 and next half marathon under two hours.

Well, good luck.

Antonio

[suzieq]

My training has me taking a walk break every 10 min. I've done this on every long run, so I'm quite used to it (and really look forward to it!). Jeff Galloway (the training schedule I follow) says that by taking a walk break from the very start of your marathon your legs won't get as tired and you should end the race fairly strong.

I had a great run on Saturday so I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about the race in Stratford upon Avon. Somehow I'll do it - and hopefully in the 4.30 that I want to do it in.

It is too bad that we aren't running the same race Antonio, sounds like we're about the same pace (although I'll be taking more walk breaks). I also plan on carring my own water (on a belt) so that I can just drink when I want...I also take gels and will have a piece of an energy bar handy just in case.

Good luck to you Antonio and let's touch base after our races to see how we both did.

Suzie

[Antonio247]

Hello, Suzie

I tried one-minute breaks after nine minutes running yesterday doing 21 kms and I liked the experience a lot. I finished less tired than other times and I think I didn´t lose much time. Today I´ve been on a 50 km bicyle ride and I´m feeling fine. I´d like to try 9-10 minutes breaks at Madrid marathon. The only problem is that I´m going with the 4.30 group but if I have to stop for the walk break, I could lose contact with them but it would be good to see if I can reach them after my break or I have to finish later. Anyway, I think that I´d finish more comfortable and with less risk of injuries.

Good luck, Suzie. Keep in touch.

Antonio

PS. When are you getting to the UK? Will you be able to cheer at London marathon?

[suzieq]

Sounds like you're a convert to the run/walk way of running! It does lessen the injuries.

I won't get to London until April 21st. I didn't want to waste too many days ahead of the race - rather have them on the other side where I can enjoy them more. I tend to like getting focused and not do too much of anything before a race.

Andy will be getting a first hand look at all the runners - especially working mile 22...I remember that well...it was a struggle from then on.

[El Gordo]

Suzie - good to hear that you're feeling better about your preparation. Just out of interest, what's your schedule for your UK trip? Sadly, I'm not working in London just at the moment, but let me know what you're planning.

Cheers

Andy

[suzieq]

Hi Andy,

Too bad you aren't working in London! But my plan is to land there on the 21st, then leave on the 23rd to Stratford Upon Avon. Back into London on the 26th, then hopefully flying off on the 27th to either Turkey, Greece or Spain - wherever I can get a cheap package deal at the last moment. I'd prefer Turkey, but we'll see. Then back into London on the 4th or 5th of May for a couple of days and fly home on the 7th! Seems to go pretty quickly.

If you do end up in London around the 4/5/6 of May, let me know and we can meet for a quick pint. I realize you don't live in London, so that is always difficult. But it would be great to actually meet in person. I'm also thinking it's just before your marathon, so you'll be focused on that as well.

[El Gordo]

OK Suzie, I'll mail you off-list.