Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

December 24, 2024

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever. :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years. This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :)

Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life. To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs. To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner. To enjoy running more and more with every passing year.

Personal:

Baby boomer generation. Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's. Started running seriously in 2002. Low-carb runner since January 2010.

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather. I don't believe in "junk miles." I am an optimist. I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are." -- Joan Benoit Samuelson

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles:						891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles:						23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles:						965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles:						198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles:						104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles:						536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles:						16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles:						219.53

Sat, Sep 13, 2008

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Rest day for me. Good luck to all of you doing your last long run today. Mine is tomorrow.

After yesterday's overview of my long run history for this upcoming race, I thought of another little statistical survey that I wanted to make. Since I didn't run today, perhaps this is the perfect time to lay it out. My marathon history...

I'm going to compile a review of my 14 marathons to date (beginning in 2004) and the miles per month for the 4 months preceding each one. Of course, many other factors play into a race performance. For example, at my Personal Worst marathon, #10, we stood in a raging rain & ice storm for 15 minutes before the gun went off and I shivered intermittently during at least half of the race (on top of the low mileage preparation).

There were some marathons (such as # 3) that were intentionally slow (used as training for another race), and others (such as #1) where I pushed as hard as I could and nearly made myself sick. The mileage for #3-8 will show repeated numbers because I was running a marathon every month for one insane season. I used to use some marathons as training runs, since I was on the Galloway method back then, which dictates long runs up to 26-27 miles anyway -- it was actually a nice way to be motivated and get fed along the way! :)

Still, I'm interested in seeing how much of a mileage pattern exists. All of the marathon training included some kind of speed work as well, but it was not until #12 that I had a well structured speed plan. Also, from #12 on, I decided to "graduate" from Galloway, to pursue time goals and to eliminate the walk breaks, though I still believe I do best walking through the aid stations.

I'll list the mileage for the ~4 months previous / marathon finish time ...

#1: 87.8 90.1, 94.2, 90.5 / 4:59 #2: 94, 115.3, 125.5, 105.6 / 4:37 #3: 69, 127.9, 105.7, 145 / 4:58 #4: 127.9, 105.7, 145, 118.5 / 4:47 #5: 105.7, 145, 118.5, 117.2 / 4:55 #6: 105.7, 145, 118.5, 117.2 / 5:09 #7: 145, 118.5, 117.2, 106.6 / 4:47 #8: 117.2, 106.6, 120.3, 125.9 / 4:57 #9: 106.6, 120.3, 125.9, 101.4 / 4:50 #10: 69, 95.7, 99.8, 93.5 / 5:16 #11: 93.5, 134.8, 145.8, 145.4 / 4:55 #12 88, 166.4, 176.9, 174.3 / 4:27 #13: 131.3, 165, 153.3, 162.45 / 4:28 #14: 116.6, 244.48, 210.57, 190.14 / 4:17

And my past 4 months for this upcoming race: (Sept excluded) 137.19, 159.2, 230.87, 252.78.

Comments

From Carolyn on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:08:57

I'd love to see your miles per month review. Good luck on your long run tomorrow.

From snoqualmie on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:30:33

Carolyn, you got the "draft" version. I don't think I'll push that button ever again! Hope you'll check back and let me know what you think...

From Carolyn on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 17:59:24

I put all your numbers into a spreadsheet so I could analyze it a little better. With the exception of #3, which you said you intentionally ran slowly, every time you increased your total distance over what you had done the previous year, your time decreased. But the biggest improvement came on number 12 when not only did you increase your total miles dramatically, but you introduced speed work.

So now I have to ask myself what is the take home lesson for me from this. As a first time marathoner, I could say that I need to just run as many miles as possible in order to get a good time on my first marathon and not worry about speed work until later marathons. However, since my first marathon is more than 10 months away, maybe if I concentrate on increasing my mileage now, by the time I get to 4 months prior to my marathon, I'll be ready to do some speed work and that will benefit me even more.

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 18:47:04

Yes, there are a lot of factors involved in how one does in a race. For #12 I changed so many things: lost a little weight (4 lbs.), changed my running form (book: "Programmed to Run"), more miles, more speed work, and it was also a good course (Calif Int. Marathon). For #6, I thought I should do much better, but it was at elevation and I faded badly in the last 5 miles and got sick at the end (paramedics and all, very embarrassing). It will be interesting to see how I do at Portland, since this is the most structured speed work I've ever done (using "Daniels Formula). Then again, a "bad day" can trash everything.

I'm so flattered that you are paying so much attention to my little self examination. I do the same thing, watching other runners and finding out how they train if I can; it's very motivating for me.

I hope your training is a lot of fun and very fulfilling. Everyone says having a time goal for a first marathon is a bad idea, and I guess I agree. But that doesn't mean we can easy abandon it. I wanted so badly to come in under 5 hours my 1st time, and I did, barely. You'll probably know where you're at if you keep racing some 10K's or half m's along the way. I would make my first priority being comfortable with the distance by doing more 18-20 milers than what the usual programs call for, but at a nice slow pace so you don't ruin your weekday runs. The earlier you can get over 18 miles the better, imo. I should probably be writing all this on *your* blog, sorry. Good luck.

From julie on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 18:58:24

Good luck tomorrow on your last big long run. That is so interesting to compare all your previous times. You are going to do great at Portland. I agree that the extra miles make a big difference.

From laurie on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 19:43:04

My two cents, or my gathered cents from many others. Work on the mileage first, speed will come. (speed workouts are still important-but not until you have good base miles :)

Good luck on your long run, Maybe I'll see you at the expo :) I have had to changed my goal due to lack of training but I still think I am in a good place to pr.

From leslie on Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 21:25:55

I am pooped out reading this!! Good luck tomorrow, you are a hard worker!

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