Hey everyone. Just thought I would give some details about my training and some background on myself since I was asked if I could. So here it is:
I started running in HS. I wasn't anything special. 16:30 guy. Luckily I was able to get a partial scholarship to a small NAIA school. Webber International University. Even in college I wasn't that fast compared to my peers. 15:30 / 31:20 on the track. My senior year I decided to take a shot at the marathon since the NAIA has the marathon at nationals. Ended up 4th and earned All American in 2:30:20. This is when I discovered I was decent at the marathon. After graduation I was still wanting to compete so I set some high goals. I wanted to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. This is when I decided to take some risks with my training, specifically my mileage. I instantly bumped up from 90-100 to 120-130 and I responded very well to it. No injuries or anything. I was eventually able to get my half down to 1:05:47. And then I hit my goal at Houston 2015 with a 2:18:12 and earned my spot at the trials. Finished 47th at the trials. After this I spent years trying to chase a PR. Mileage stayed around the 120-130 range during this time. For the 2020 trials I got my qualifier in Ottawa 2018 with a 2:18:35. I was happy I got my qualifier but I was still wanting a faster time.
After the trials I knew I needed to make some changes. This is when I started playing around with my mileage. My recent race had just gotten cancelled (Grandma's 2020) because of Covid so I decided to spend some time working on my base mileage. I got it up to the 150-160 range and my body was handling it very well. Since there were no big marathons because of Covid I was forced to do the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon because it was the only marathon I could find. I ended up running a 2:18:03 which was a PR. Keep in mind I ran this race entirely solo from start to finish. Then earlier this year I decided to do another base building block and increased the mileage again to the 160-170 range. I snagged myself another PR at the Grandma's Marathon 2021 with a 2:17:30 (1:09:45 / 1:07:45). This is when I really learned that the mileage was the biggest factor for me. Now, I just finished a 7 week mileage block working up to 180 miles per week. Honestly, once I'm above ~140 it all feels the same. Pace was consistently around the 6:30 range with a couple longer and faster efforts each week. HR is typically in the 120-130 range on easy runs and 125-135 for the long and faster efforts. That 30 miler I did was fun. My focus now is the Houston Marathon in January where I'm hoping to not only qualify for my 3rd trials but also chase another PR. Well, let's just hope USATF releases the standards in time for this race.
As far as my life goes I own a coaching business called RunnersFix Coaching Services. This is my only job and I work from home. This is a huge factor in allowing me to run so much and be able to recover properly. Also, I don't have a wife or kids. It's just me living solo in my two bedroom apartment here in Lakeland, FL. My apartment is less than a mile from that lake I always run so that's why I'm always running it. It's 2.85 miles around with measured out marks. It's perfect for longer workouts and long runs because I can park my car right up against the trail and place my fluids / fuel on my trunk and grab them each loop without having to stop. I highly recommend this place for training.
I hope this is enough information to help you learn more about me and my training. Running is my whole life. Once I'm past my peak I hope to be chasing age group podium spots for as long as I can run.