Hi Stone Cutter, I found your feedback really useful and wondered if you could help. I am doing my first marathon (London) in 5 weeks. I ran a 90 minute half in 2016 without much training other than trail runs with my dogs so I must have some natural ability but had a couple of kids so done limited running since. I am doing the HMM. Started in the beginner program (skipped the first 5 weeks) then switched to advanced about week 11. I have been pretty committed and consistent doing the 6 sessions a week other than one week during a holiday where I still ran but it was reduced. Reading how much emphasis you put on sticking to the paces I am a bit worried as I have been going faster pretty much the whole time. I also do 16 milers each week instead of alternating between 16 and 10. With gradual improvement I am now doing strength sessions at 3.55 mins km and Tempo runs at 4 mins. I once thought a 2.59 was impossible for me, especially a first time, but tempo only needs to be 4.16. My last 16 miler (which was pretty hilly) I did in 1hr 52mins (4.21 min km) after 60km of running that week at faster than I should paces.
Here is my question/dilemma assuming you pick up this message or haven’t stopped reading already 🤣
After running a 1hr 52min 16 mile I admit I was knackered, but feeling good at 13 miles I did the last 3 miles at 4min. Had I stuck at 4.25/30 I am sure I could have done more.
Am I supposed to have faith that after tapering as per the program, 4.16 is possible because I should be able able to run a 1hr 52 last 16 after an opening 1hr 8 10 miles? The unknown is I haven’t done more than 16.
I don’t want to go so steady in the first 10 miles that it’s too much to claw back even if I feel good on the 17th mile but equally I don’t want to do a 1hr 52 first 16 if it ruins me for the last 10 miles.
It feels like a real gamble.
I think I will stick with the program to the letter for the last 5 weeks to avoid burn out or injury, I just don’t know how fast to do the first 10 miles on race day.
any thoughts?