Crappy base but decent long runs?

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17 years ago 01/27/2007 1:22pm EST

I have averaged barely 50 miles a week since October. Very little speedwork, some tempo at 5:50-6:00/mile. I ran 1:20 in hilly half in December. And I have 4 runs over 20 miles since. The most recent was a TLT with 3 x 1 mile @ 6:00/mile mixed in the the first 10 miles, then ran 7:10 pace until I hit 20 miles and finished the whole run with a 3 mile run on the track at 5:50. So I got 23 continuous miles with solid tempo at the finish and felt tired but no destroyed at the end. I'm terrified that my lack of a base will kill me in the final miles of a marathon in a couple weeks. What pace should I run the marathon? I'm wavering everywhere from 6:15 to 6:30 pace. My long runs are encouraging but I have been crushed before in the final mile. Any thoughts would be helpful.

17 years ago 01/27/2007 2:42pm EST

re: What's the pace for me?

I'd really love a little help here. I have failed MISERABLY in the past in marathons and really don't want to screw this one up.

Some other info: I have done interval workouts about every tenth day. Usually 2-3 miles worth of : 800m-mile at 5:20 pace.

Any help out there?

17 years ago 01/27/2007 2:48pm EST

re: What's the pace for me?

Why not run very conservatively? A 1:20 half is worth, what, a 2:50? Go out at 6:30 pace and pick it up as necessary.

17 years ago 01/27/2007 3:00pm EST

re: What's the pace for me?

The long run indicates little at all in terms of your readiness to race a marathon. You were probably just rested enough going into that run and that's why it didn't "destroy" you. I'd second what the other respondent said.

17 years ago 01/27/2007 3:39pm EST

re: you're undertrained

Thanks for the replies.

If I go out at 6:30 and feel good, do you have any thoughts on when to try to pick it up? I am worried I'll do it too early and pay for it. Should I wait until 20 miles? Or dare I pick it up at the half? And how much of a pick is recommended? 5 seconds or 10 per mile? I didn't have too much trouble switching from 7:10 pace (and tired) to running three miles at 5:50 pace. I even felt like I had a few more miles of 5:50 in me at the end of my 23-mile run.

17 years ago 01/27/2007 6:15pm EST

re: What's the pace for me?

Don't run with the watch. Take it off and run against the other competitors then see what happens, let THEM worry about YOU.

Roll the iron dice.

17 years ago 01/27/2007 6:19pm EST

re: What's the pace for me?

What's the pace for me? wrote:
Should I wait until 20 miles? Or dare I pick it up at the half?

Only you know how you feel at particular points in a marathon, so it's your call entirely. Maybe split the difference and base it on how you feel at that point?

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Crappy base but decent long runs?

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