Okay, the answer to your hypothetical question is that I looked over some of the sample marathon training programs, and I noticed that none of them - none of them - would have me running 20 and 22 mile routes in the four weeks preceding the marathon. Now, Galway's extended training program suggests a 26 mile training run, but this would occur several weeks before the marathon, and has a number of short runs leading into the marathon week. This suggests to me that my original program might be a wee bit ambitious, possibly leading to significant injury before the marathon and/or significant injury during the marathon and/or having little energy left for the marathon. Any of these outcomes would be bad.
This is not to say that I live my life according to someone else's program - speaking of sagacity, or my lack thereof - but given that I have not actually completed a marathon since 2003, I'm beginning to get the cosmic message that maybe I'm not my own best running coach, or at least that maybe I should pay a little more attention to some of the training advice out there.
Anyhoo, Bethany (and Erin, if you plan to be in KC at the appropriate time), I suggest that we calendar a 22 mile run for Sunday, October 10th, or thereabouts. What say, training buddies?
I agree! I think resting muscles before the run is very important and there's no need to risk injury before the run. Getting the long run is important mentally, but you'll still be getting that in.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that one shouldn't just do what someone else's program says, but he does have a point and it's worth noting!