The Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method

May 05, 2024

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Location:

Tralee,Ireland

Member Since:

Oct 01, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I've never worn compression socks.

Short-Term Running Goals:

To do a race.

Long-Term Running Goals:

1. Break the world record for the marathon in the 50+ age group, when I'm 50 in 2015.

2. Never wear compression socks.

Personal:

Married with two girls (6 and 10).

The Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method is a four year experiment.

The first year (2012) was about getting back into running, staying off the smokes and booze, while sticking to a healthy eating plan and shedding mountains of lard. All boxes ticked.

Year two (2013 - age: 48) Injured Jan through March. Build back up and work on my 5k speed. Goal 15:45.

Year three (2014) will be about doing my first marathon in the spring. (Just for the experience and on a tough course - maybe Tralee; goal time, 2:30ish.) Then begins the prep work for Berlin 2015

Year four (2015) is all about breaking the world record for the marathon in the 50+ age group - it's only 2:19 :).

The above might sound nuts; it is, but then I'm nuts. Please do not copy any of the training I do: if you do, you are likely to end up running like me - not a good idea.

The idea is to have a laugh along the way. If I fail, I don't know what I'll do - my whole belief system will crumble and I suspect that this little rock might just stop spinning for a couple of seconds. Jakers, I better not fail for all our sakes. That's some burden, even for SuperBam.

Favorite Blogs:

Rob

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00

Mon, Jun 25, 2012

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
17.00	2.00	0.00	0.00	19.00

10:00 a.m. 13 mile progression run - of sorts. I'm not a happy bunny. In fact, I'm hopping mad. I took the Garmin out for a twirl today and discovered that my 14 mile run was a paltry 13 miles. Furthermore, or I should say, shorterless, I''m not as fit as I thought I might be. Here's the mile splits:

1. 7:37 2. 7:27 3. 7:29(incl stop for jimmy riddle) 4. 7:13 5. 7:00 6. 7:02 7. 6:49 8. 6:55(brutal 84 foot climb) 9. 6:43(long pull) 10. 6:28 11. 6:12 12. 6:14 13. 8:39(cool down).

Although miles 7 through 9 were climbing, I thought miles 10 through 12 would have dipped under 6 pace; not so. And I have to admit, mile 12 was hard work - I wasn't bleeding out of my eyes but I felt like a rabbit being chased by Glenn Close. Mile 11 was downhill.

As I was building up to 100mpw I often did 5/6 mile progressions where I'd be touching 5:10ish pace towards the end of runs (probably, if I'm honest, the last half mile or so), so I'm a tad disappointed with today, even though it's a longer run. Ho hum.

So, I now have a better idea of where I am and what I have to do. First off, I've got to read my Garmin correctly when I measure runs. I must eat more carrots and I need to take 1 mile off my weekly mileage totals for the last few weeks - that hurts. Secondly, getting fit isn't about writing schedules and giving it the big chat and plodding out miles (although plodding out miles is part of it). I've got to make sure that I work hard in the workouts - I don't mean mam-be-pam-be breathing hard, I mean working gut-wrenching hard and staying focussed.

Is it possible for a 48 year-old man who abused his body for years with bad food, booze and smokes to run a 'decent' marathon off 18 months training? Time will tell... so long as some spiteful rabbit doesn't bite me and give me some rare form of human myxomatosis - because then I'd really be bleeding out of my eyes...,

6:00p.m. - 6 miles easy. First two were very sluggish but then came the strangest metamorphosis (no, I didn't suddenly turn into a fly - with apologies to Kafka). Over the final four miles I felt strong and as though I were running more economically or more efficiently. Bizarre. I thought I would have been trudging along feeling wibbly wobbly, but no. Anyway, I'll see how I go tomorrow on the back of my highest mileage day so far. An 8 and a 6 tomorrow and for Russ, I'll keep the write ups short and sweet:) but I'll be running with carrots to throw at crazy leg biting bunnies.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 133.00

Comments

From Russ on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 09:45:03 from 74.114.3.253

Out of this wonderfully semi-long entry I gleaned a nice nugget of wisdom: beware of rabbits. Cheers!

From Bam on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 14:18:12 from 89.204.252.114

'Tis a tad long. Always carry carrots to distract them:)

From Russ on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 14:25:36 from 74.114.3.253

Impressive mileage for anyone, let alone a 48 year old former professor of Debauchery 101. I'm in awe. And please keep the write ups as they are. It's half the fun, and besides, this write up is ultimately your running journal. The extra bits will be fascinating to read about in a few months or longer when you're trying to figure out what when right or wrong.

From Rob Murphy on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 14:27:05 from 24.10.249.165

Interesting question. Were you a runner in your younger days? If so, what are your PR's?

From Bam on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 14:41:07 from 89.204.252.114

Hi Rob, Yeah I ran middle distance - dipped under 4 for 1500m and under 15 for 5000m. Ran for 18 months(ish) in my early 30's and managed 33:17 for 10k, although I think I was high 31 fit, just didn't get a race in. I was doing 4x1600m in 4:48 off I:15 rec when I stopped and 70 miles a week - not at altitude! Apparently I've a decent style - high knee lift etc. But tonight was strange. First two miles were very slow and then I started zipping along without putting in any effort and I noticed I was running more relaxed and controlled without thinking about it. I thought I would have struggled after the longish morning run. It'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow...

From Rob Murphy on Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 14:51:41 from 24.10.249.165

OK, depending on what you mean by "abusing my body for years", and how well your body holds up to consistent high mileage, I'd say you should be able to run a 2:35 to 2:40 marathon if you get the right race/weather/course. Don't let the age thing impact your thinking too much.

Any plans to run a half a few weeks out from your marathon in March?

From Bam on Tue, Jun 26, 2012 at 01:25:41 from 89.204.246.0

I agree about it depending on how well I cope with the miles. I think that'll be key. Abuse means 20-40 smokes a day over 13-14 years and drinking daily over the same period.

On the drink front, there were several (way too many) all dayers. But I'd say about as close to being in need of help as you get without really needing help -if that makes sense. But I'm sorted now: a near paragon of healthy living.

Regarding the 2:35-2:40, I haven't a clue yet. But the course is tough(ish)and the weather is likely to be bad: windy, cold and raining. Although, we do have a saying in Ireland - March many weathers - so the weather might be ok. At the moment I'd take those times and 2:35 would give me an outside chance of being in the race. It's not a big city thing etc and 2:35-2:40 is something to build on:)

The plan is a 10 miler 6 weeks out from the marathon. There isn't really a half around that time that would be suitable. That said, there might be one 10 weeks out. I need to investigate.

I think a lot will depend on how I cope and improve with the workouts, but that's going to be the interesting part.

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