The Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method

March 29, 2024

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201120122013
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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.

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No run today. Leg feels a lot better but I'm going to give it an extra day - just to be safe. Will be back at it tomorrow.

I was listening to an interview on the radio with John Treacy the other night and he was saying that every marathon takes something out of you that you can't put back in. He went on to say that for elite marathon runners, their first5/6 will be their best. This was all in context of Fionnuala Britton running her first marathon prior to Rio etc. He also said (Mark Carroll concurred) that before any serious runner enters into their marathon cycle, they should spend a real concerted effort working on speed - not marathon or half marathon speed - but 5k speed.

I don't know how to do links - it's on the list of things to learn. If you google, Off The Ball interview with John Treacy and Mark Carroll, you'll get it. It's all about how far Fionnuala Britton can go. It's only about 5 mins long.Two guys who really know their stuff. Worth a listen, if not for the top class info from top class athletes, then the mellifluous lilt of the Irish brogue.

The other side (taken from another site):
Meb: Olympic medal in 2004, New York City Marathon Winner 2009, USA Olympic Trials Winner 2012, 4th place in 2012 Olympic games marathon despite a stitch that put him back in the twenties mid race. He is also targeting a win at Boston by his recent statements and no doubt he will go close. Expect a top 5 performace in a loaded field. He is 37 by the way.

Gomes dos Santos: New York City Marathon Winner 2006 and 2008. 5th place in 2012 Olympic Games Marthon. He is 35.

Martin Lel: 10 top 3 performances at Major Marathons from 2003 until 2012. This includes 3 London marathon wins, 2 wins in New York and 5th in 2008 Olympic marathon. He is 34 and still going strong when injury free.

Wison Kigsang: 7 marathons in 2 and a half years including 5 wins, an Olympic medal and a 2.03. Is the no 1 marathoner in the world at this moment in decline?

Look at his recovery rates and it would indicate that if the training is specific the recovery from a fast marathon is actually easier than a slower one. This rejects the nonsense that elites go so hard they have only a few good marathons in them. The opposite is the case, the fitter you are, the more quality ones you can do.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Jake K on Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 09:22:56 from 155.100.226.191

I think Noakes had a similar theory - you only have so many top notch marathons in you.

I'm going to assume my first 4 were warmups and my next 5-6 will be my best.

From Matt Poulsen on Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 18:26:15 from 98.202.242.213

100% agree Bam. Complete nonsense! Case in point....Fritz.

From Jason D on Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 20:38:09 from 24.1.80.94

I was going to say. Fritz ran a PR after 40ish? marathons this year with a nagging hamstring (maybe that was after). Meb ran a PR in the last year I think (guess it was at the trials). I wouldn't expect him to win Boston with another, what, 4-5 minute PR, barring anymore Boston Massacre repeats. I wish him the best though; he seems great.

I think it changes on the national stage a bit, but I regularly get the tar kicked out of me by folks well into their 30s and 40s (and sometimes have dudes in their 60s hacking and coughing right on my back).

It also matters where you start. How far below 2:03 can Kipsang or anyone go? Sure, it will be broken, but it's definitely a threshold.

All this to say, yes, poppycock! The Bam in the old blog photo may not have been able to run a wicked fast marathon, but the one in the current one looks like he is on his way :)

From Bam on Sat, Jan 12, 2013 at 04:23:47 from 89.126.28.24

Over on one of the Irish sites, they're getting stuck into it (Rocky style) - believe it or not, I don't get involved as it's like the LetsRun message boards etc - I'm a wuss. Plus, soon enough, I'll be racing the guys who are arguing the toss.

I was thinking about this today (Saturday) during my run. Although I

wouldn't be too quick to dismiss a legend like John Treacy, I certainly don't agree with him. Things have changed since he was running. Guys don't do all their runs at sub 6 pace everyday, shoes have improved, the general philosophy of recovery and nutrition is much better and you're allowed to have a steak during a race if you want:)

More than anything, I agree that Fritz destroys the premiss of Treacy's position.

Also, Treacy wasn't training for the marathon, he was training for the

5k and 10k and cross country; he just increased his long run. Imagine what he might have run, if he only had our 'expert' knowledge:).

Jason, that picture was taken in June 2012 when I was in Portugal. Grace's face is burnt - she wouldn't put the sun block on; she learned the hard way. My arms are much bulkier now - I wish.

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