Training and Planning.

At least he Crossed the finish line! -- Picture form http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/newsome-runner-collapses-crawls-to-finish-at-county-championships

So in 197 days, 23 hours 11 minutes and 52 seconds (at the time I hit “publish”) I will be lined up for the Marine Corps Marathon, running 20 miles further than my current “longest run” (since my surgery).  Now, I have never done any sort of formal training plan for any run I have done as an adult.  When doing 5Ks, I just went out and ran them (literally.. When I started running again as an adult – I started off by doing a 5k road race.. Wasn’t that bright?).  I worked my way up to 12.5 miles last fall – just by gradually increasing my mileage and going out.

Somehow, being less than 30 weeks away from my marathon – I don’t think that’s going to cut it for this.

I looked online for Marathon plans and just like any sort of fitness, diet or health related questions – there are countless varieties out there from all sorts of self-proclaimed experts.  Now mind you, I’m not saying that some of them AREN’t experts – and I would be more than willing to try many of the 5k or 10k preparation plans as many of them look pretty good to my limited knowledge and experience.  But I also know I can go out and run those distances right now.  26 miles, 385 yards? That I can’t do at this exact moment, and that changes my thoughts on whether or not I am “willing to give it a shot,”  When I don’t know anything about the people who are writing them. 

I DONT want to end up like this! Especially at the 25 mile marker! Picture from http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/blogs/are-we-there-yet/1879719/While-you-were-sleeping-sans-Sandra-Bullock

Hal Higdon’s Marathon Training Guide seems to be the most popular of the people I have talked to.  In fact, everyone I have talked to that is using, or has used a guide – has used his.  The “Novice 1” training plan does not ever have you do 26 miles, but maxes out at 20 on week 15 (it is an 18 week plan).  I’m not sure that makes me terribly comfortable –  I think I will end up altering it somewhat as I know I will be far more confident on October 30th, if I have gone and done a 26 mile run before hand.  It just strikes me as “wrong” to not have run the distance, before doing it for real.

This is more the pose I am hoping for as I cross the finish line!!! (Though, I don't think I will wear the same outfit!) Picture from arkansasonline - http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/06/runners-descend-lr-marathon/

About Robinson

I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.