The Next Step

Jim I wouldn't worry too much about this race. The warm/humid conditions will typically cause problems but also when you ramp up miles it will commonly take a while for the training results to kick in. I remember after running 2-3 months straight of around 60 mile weeks and I ran an absolutely terrible 5K early December last year. But then shortly thereafter I ran huge 10K and 1/2 marathon PRs.

So hang in there, the training WILL have the desired effect eventually. I think if you've been at higher mileage for a few weeks and you aren't still trying to build up then you should be fine doing a tempo run every week and maybe even a 2nd uptempo workout as well.

I agree --it looks like you have recently increased your mileage to the high 60's and it may take your body time to adjust to the higher mileage and to benefit from it too.

Most races are primarily for training (a killer workout) and to learn about how we race and how to race better. You definitely got in a great workout so perhaps ask yourself what you learned in the race.

Tom, Michelle, Thanks! I know you all are right I just need to trust the training and the results will come. After a little more time to reflect. It has only been around 8 weeks ago when I started training above 50 miles and I have been increasing my long run pretty much every week. I did 61 miles this week which I think is my second highest mileage week ever. So I know you all are right and I have to give my body time to adjust but it is tough when my race pace is slower than tempo runs I did a few months ago. One question. My marathon is in a little over two months. How much higher should I take my mileage? Do you think I would be better increasing it a little more than holding that to the marathon so I don't go into the marathon tired/sluggish?

Thanks again!

Jim

Michelle and Tom are right- your training will pay off. Don't worry. Harder to see the differnce in short races, too. As for the mileage- as long as you aren't feeling sick/injured, you could keep increasing it a bit. Something like a few more low 60's, then high 60's, maybe a 70. Increasing the mileage now will help you with the marathon, while having a proper taper will take care of the tired/sluggishness. A 2-3 week taper is plenty of time to recover from any tiredness (though always watch out for injury).

I agree with all that has been said. Keep the training strong and with good mileage and it will pay off in your target race. The mileage increase and approach that Jon recommended is right on.

Just treat this as a good training run, one that you can learn from and apply to future training and races.