Looking for some advice regarding my training for the next few months. I didn't run in HS or college and only started to lift weights in college (mostly body building type exercises). I started to run in 2014 while studying for the bar exam and got hooked. Slowly building mileage I had this bucket list idea to run a marathon. Over the last 4-5 years I have averaged a marathon a year, basically slowly building mileage every month and 2018 was the first year I ran year round:
2015- 4:22
2016- 4:06
2018- 3:48 with a 3:57 3 weeks later.
So I've seen some minor improvements year to year. Never had any injuries but due to 2 herniated discs (from lifting with poor form) and tight muscles (was always tight my whole life but lifting did me no good) I know I am not reaching my full potential. Last few years I've really changed my perspective on life and even more recently finding David Goggins and reading his book has challenged me to give my best at life and face my fears. While lifting and then as I started running I knew I needed to stretch more and more but always put if off because of whatever fears I had in my head (scared of being fat so keep working out hard, neglecting stretching/ yoga because it hurt too much). I'm ready to face the facts and conquer my fears that I need hours and hours of stretching through discomfort to reach my running potential - wherever that is.
I've set a goal to BQ at NYC in 2019 - which is ambitious but aim for the stars, right. I can't fail unless I don't try again in 2020. And even in failure in running I will learn valuable lessons which I can apply to life.
In my 2018 training cycle I was able to get to 50mpw for the final 5 weeks of training leading up to the taper. I will continue to increase when I come back to serious training. My resting HR is consistently in the low 40s (year round) so I really believe if I can increase mobility and my mileage, I can do much better than a 3:48.
Looking for advice on how to train (if I even should) during this mobility break I am on. I've been foam rolling and stretching for a couple hours everyday for about a month and have dropped about 20 pounds of fat (6'2" 195 to 175) and increased range of motion but still a long long way to go. Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.