Running slow

[Debbie]

Nigel, thanks for those words of wisdom and for summarising the benefits of different types of training so succinctly. You're completely right in what you say about the marathon being a pure test of endurance, and as such it must be appropriately trained for.

I'd calculated my marathon pace to be somewhere in the region of 9-9:30 minute miles too, so we agree on that. However, I do have a secret hankering to run 3:45 if I possibly can ... but we'll have to see how the training shapes up, especially as half marathon distance is the furthest I've run. I don't know yet at what point I'm likely to hit the wall, and how hard I might hit it!!

At the moment my training schedule includes two shorter runs per week (which build up to 5 miles maximum), and two longer runs which gradually build up to peak at 10 miles each, as well as a long run each week. Weekly mileage peaks at 53 miles 6 weeks prior to the race (which is London 2004 BTW, Parky). As the schedule is only 18 weeks and I'm starting now, I've built in a six-week block alternating between 40 and 35 miles to get used to the increased distance before I start the final climb to 50+ miles. Up until now I've only run a maximum of 25 miles a week, more often around the 17-20 mark. So gradually and slowly is the key I think, to avoid injury and illness/overtiredness.

I'm taking yours and Iceman's comments about the last 6.2 miles very seriously. Much better to run a little slower over each mile than have nothing left for the final 6 having started too fast. And I take on board the comments about being driven on by the crowd. I know I'll be tempted to increase the pace if I hear everyone cheering so I'll have to watch out for that.

All this and I don't even know if I have a place yet!