Last month’s tensor fascia fiasco threw me off my training plan. Wait, was I even on one? I was doing a loosey goosey interpretation of Run Less Run Faster called Run Next to Nothing at Whatever Pace You Feel Like Because it’s Blazing Hot.
Since that fateful day in August when my first 20 miler of the training cycle ended in limping and swearing, I never cracked the RLRF book again. I avoided calendars like the plague too. When you feel threatened by an impending deadline, just cover your eyes and ears and it won’t happen right? Last week I mustered the courage to look at RLRF for some rough guidance on how I might salvage a marathon out of the wreck that my training has been. But I couldn’t even find the book. So I continued to wing it, building my long run as the hips permit and doing whatever during my weekday jaunts.
The long run plan I’d conjured in my head was as follows:
9/2 11 miles check
9/9 13.3 miles check
9/16 16.4 + 3.1 miles check
9/22 13.1 (RnR Denver and cutback week)
From this point I ‘thought’ I had just 4 weeks to work with so the plan was to build to 20 then do a 2 week taper:
- 18 miles
- 20 miles
- 10/20 13 (Zooma Great Lakes half)
- 10/28 Marine Corps Marathon
Well I found RLRF yesterday, tucked deep in a closet. This morning I finally cracked it open. Turns out I’ve got an extra week. Insert happy dance here. Would you:
A) Throw an extra longer run in there?
- 9/30: 18 miles
- 10/7: 20 miles
- 10/14: ???
- 10/20: 13.1 Zooma Great Lakes half
- 10/28: MCM
B) Do a 3-week taper?
I’m leaning toward A, what say you?
Have you ever ‘lost’ or ‘found’ time? Do you use the avoidance technique as effectively as I do?
That crawling-in-the-mud pic I posted yesterday where I was lamenting the loss of my crown? Look closely and you’ll see said crown perched in the muck just to the right of my derriere. I hope nobody impaled themselves on it.
I’d throw in the extra 20, myelf.
That pictures is PRICELESS!
personally, I’d move your 20 to 10/14, cut back to 12 or 14 on 10/7, and do a 3 week taper…but I like my 3 week taper. with your grindy hip, it might be best to err on the conservative side.
I am a spaz. I’ve never lost or found time, since I’m too busy obsessing over it 🙂
That picture is too funny! Also the thought of someone hurting themselves on the tiara is slightly funny too! I don’t support ppl getting hurt, obviously, but imagine the conversation! “wow! How’d u get that scar?!” .. “ohh, yanno. I just fell on a tiara!” haha!! Spa love!
I think, with the problems you’ve had with your hip, etc. it might not be a bad idea to do a three week taper and not do another long run. You definitely know how you’re feeling best, though, so if you’re feeling awesome, then definitely do another long run.
My TFL has been going a little wonky on me, too. It’s probably the route of a lot of my left-leg woes so I’ve been taping and icing a lot. Hot yoga, of all things, made the joint feel GREAT but a couple positions did point out to me (glaringly, with searing pain) where I was weak and had a lot of tension! Good luck on the rest of your plan and YAY for ‘finding’ an extra week to play with! I’d say keep your options open and know that you can afford the extra week of taper if you take it. Maybe do something different and fun that you might not have otherwise scheduled during your training. Good luck!
Definitely A!
I think I was totally on the “Run Next to Nothing at Whatever Pace You Feel Like Because it’s Blazing Hot” plan this summer too!
Love the pic!!
I’m not sure what I would do, I hope you figure it out!
Love the picture, hilarious!
I’d probably do the extra long–I’ve decided I don’t like long tapers. I can’t wait to meet you this weekend!
Yay for the extra week! Surprise! I am personally doing a 3 week taper. I’d like to try a smaller one, but I think it’ll be good for sanity’s sake. My personal vision would be to do 18-13-20-13.1-26.2 but don’t know whether you prefer the longer taper time.
I would say with your cranky hip, I wouldn’t chance it with another long run (said from the girl who has done zero long runs for Chicago – ha!).
Totally go with ‘A’! But only for as long as you feel good, don’t further injure yourself!
I’ve only done one full and the three week taper worked out alright… maybe 12-15 nice and easy before the half? Can’t believe it’s so soon!!