Marathon without Long Run in Training

The long runs don't matter, 17 miles is enough, but are you used to spending the time on your feet. How much mileage are you doing compared to previously.

J.R. wrote:

The long runs don't matter

Fundamental lack of knowledge here.

FWIW, my marathon PR (2:50) came on a marathon that I signed up 6 weeks in advance. In that time I managed 4 long runs ranging from 15-19mi. Before signing up I had not run more than 13mi. I really doubt I would have gone a ton slower if that one 19miler had been shorter or been cut out completely, but I guess you never know.

Obviously the long run is an important part of marathon training. But someone who did not run more than 13 miles could still be running 10-12 miles per day. That person will be a lot better off than the person with no long runs running 5-6 mile per day. In my experience, the good thing that happens when we are potentially under-trained is that we start a little more conservatively. Possibly at 16 miles we are feeling like it is mile one rather and can handle a hard ten miles.

I did one week of 60 miles and the rest were sometimes 20 to 30 miles a week..I'm just grasping at straws really and trying to get someone else to tell me that muscle memory from previous long runs can get me through..Thanks..I've done 4 very long hill walks too..4-5 hours.That should help too?

Ah I think we all know that the long run matters including JR..Its interesing to note through most of the replies is that runners all try their best to get around problems..Nobody said throw in the towel; you can't do it without 5 by 20 mile runs.....

It sounds like you still have the injury/pain. Why race a marathon?

Belgian Waffle wrote:

It sounds like you still have the injury/pain. Why race a marathon?

Yep

Frank Kirwan wrote:

Ah I think we all know that the long run matters including JR..Its interesing to note through most of the replies is that runners all try their best to get around problems..Nobody said throw in the towel; you can't do it without 5 by 20 mile runs.....

There are good threads on here discussing the importance of long runs. My belief is that the higher your weekly mileage the less important the long run. I ran my last marathon with a single 17 miler and matched previous marathons where I had run multiple 20 milers. My weekly mileage was higher though so that helped get me through.

Here is a thread that has some good discussion on the topic. You might change your mind about the importance of the long run.

High Volume vs. Long Run

Here is my similar (in some ways) experience. I was running about 60 miles a week with your standard 5k/10k training structure. Long runs were 13-15 miles. I was running 17:10 5K's and a couple of 1:18 half marathons. The week before our local marathon I figured, what the hell, I'll run it...ie. reasonably fit, but had no marathon training whatsoever. Also my first marathon. I was sure I would break 3 hours based on the tables and charts. Around halfway into the marathon I was sure I was going to break 2:50! Finished up at 3:04 and about half dead. One big difference in your case is that you have the experience of running several marathons, which I suspect would help even if just "mentally".

Frank Kirwan wrote:

Ah I think we all know that the long run matters including JR..Its interesing to note through most of the replies is that runners all try their best to get around problems..Nobody said throw in the towel; you can't do it without 5 by 20 mile runs.....

Nope. Long runs don't matter. What you're saying is nonsense.

You've run 17 miles. That's plenty long enough to break 3 hours, or 2:10 whatever. Your problem is not long runs, it's that you're only running 20 to 30 miles a week.

Once upon a time there was a rumor floating around that the Hansons squad never ran longer than 16 in training.

You will not get anywhere near a PR. Your choice is between DNS, DNF and a fun run. Choose wisely.

formidable doer of the nasty wrote:

Once upon a time there was a rumor floating around that the Hansons squad never ran longer than 16 in training.

That is not how their elites train. I'm pretty sure the pros put up some fairly large numbers. The Hanson plan for us hobbyjoggers does max out at a 16 mile long run. They use the 'cumulative effect' of hard training through the week so your legs are fatigued for the 16 miler. Others on here probably know a lot more about Hanson training than me. There was a nice Running Times article a couple of years ago that covered their philosphy.