If my calculations are correct, I only have 8 ½ weeks until the Austin Marathon. That freaks me out a little. My longest distance this month was 13.1 miles, and my total distance so far this month is 16.21 miles. In my own defense, I’ve been cross training. But that training doesn’t involve cardio, only lifting, but the ‘oh my god I’m never going to walk again’ kind of lifting.
I can tell it’s paying off, during the half marathon I just ran I could really feel the power in my quads helping me lift my legs up the hills, albeit little Texas hills, but a hill is a hill nonetheless. Hills are a good start, but I must also make nice with my old friend Distance again because this is what they say about the new Austin course (and I think they are hiding the elevation map):
The first 17 miles of the marathon climb a total of 304 feet (or 18 feet per mile) in a stair step fashion that allow your legs to use a variety of muscle groups and allow you time to recover with downhill and level running surfaces. The final nine miles drop an average of 33 feet per mile.
17 miles uphill? Do you see how they try and make you feel like the hills are a good thing? We’ll see. But if I don’t start adding a little more distance into my training, it won’t matter either way. And if I don’t stop putting a fork in my mouth, my marathon plan will be rolling to the finish.
You know, Susan, you pretty much took the words right off of my fingers. I was just about to blog about this, too. I have about 2 months until my first marathon and I haven’t been able to put in the distance with the snow. Longest distance is 13 miles as well, but I’m determined not to fail. I’ll get the miles in and you will too. We’ll be ready for Austin/New Orleans!
You are fine. You have plenty of time to increase your long distance run on the weekends. Of course you do have to do that but there’s no need to panic!
According to Runners World it looks like this:
9 Rest 5 miles, including 7:00UTUT Rest 8 miles Rest Rest 14miles 25-27 miles
10 Rest 5 miles, including 3×3:00 AI Rest 4 miles Rest 10-K race 5 miles 24 miles
11 Rest 5 miles, including 8:00 TUT Rest 9 miles Rest Rest 16 miles 30-32 miles
12 Rest 5 miles, including 8:00 TUT Rest 9 miles Rest Rest 18 miles 30-32 miles
13 Rest 5 miles, including 9:00 TUT Rest 10 miles Rest 4 miles 20 miles 39 miles
14 Rest 5 miles, including 9:00 TUT Rest 10 miles Rest 4 miles 10 miles 29 miles
15 Rest 3 miles, including 3X3:00 AI Rest 5 miles Rest 3 miles, including 3×2:00 AI 5 miles 16 miles
16 Rest 3 miles, Including 3×2:00 AI Rest 3-mile jog Rest 2-mile jog Marathon
click for a readable version.
No problem!
oops – that was the beginner plan. Scroll down for intermediate which is what I think you should do.
Sounds like time to pound out some mileage. Plenty of time to train.
You’ll do a great job on the marathon, never fear.
I’m joining you in “panic mode.” But mine is only half as bad. I am doing a half marathon in 6 weeks and only up to 4 miles. ha ha. I can do it though.
I’m trying to gear up for my 2nd half marathon (ever) in about 9 weeks, and have only run once since my last half (2 weeks ago). I can’t shake my cold/cough. Uugh! I’m glad to read this encouragement, though … *maybe* it’s still possible! 🙂
You definitely have time. Wanna talk about panic? I’m going on a 16-day vacation in January. I get back January 20th, so I am praying I don’t lose too much fitness.
i think that’s some serious doubletalk they have going there. i’m not buying it. 🙂
🙂 you always seem to pull it out the bag.
The comments on marathonguide.com haven’t been all that bad. Some have commented that the hills were an “honest” test of their abilities as a marathon runner. We’ll see…
i’ve seen your shoes. you can do a stair-step fashion. pah! you’ll be fine. think of them as earth zits.
They don’t call it the Texas Hill Country for nothing, baby!
Susan,
I host a weekly podcast entitled “Good Dog” and a listener wrote today requesting an episode on ‘running with dogs’. Would you like to be my guest? It’s an audio podcast, meaning that we would record a phone or, ideally, Skype interview for about 15 minutes. Please write back to the email address above.
Thanks,
joanne
That’s about 100 metres of climbing over 17 miles – that shouldn’t worry a Susun with power quads. The final 9 miles will be bliss.
Distance needs to be your loving friend over the next 6 weeks 🙂