lhermiston
Beer-powered running machine
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2013
This is almost exactly what I faced for a couple of years. I was consistently running HMs at 1:50-1:52, but my marathons wouldn't drop below 4:20. I worked with a running coach and he told me that my problem was not running enough miles/week. At the time I was running 40 miles/week. He gave a training plan to get my base up to 45 miles/week and recommended that I peak at 70 miles/week during my training buildup for my next marathon. That got me under 4:00 for the first time. So, for me, it was mileage.
I suspect mileage is part of my issue. Even with long runs in the 18-20 mile range, I've been getting gassed and struggling to maintain my pace after the 13-14 mile point. I have 3 daughters, work 1.5 jobs when it's nice out and am the family chauffer most nights as my kids. Not complaining and I know I'm not the only person on these boards with a similar work/life load, but it does make it difficult for me to run as much as I'd like. I also have dealt with injuries that have forced me to scale back how many days I run each week in hopes of not getting hurt again.
I'm hoping by taking a little break after this last marathon that I can get my body reset and be 100 percent when training starts again. I'm trying to convince myself to incorporate yoga into my "off season," as well.