[Econo]

I got a new training log (book) and -- egads! -- the pages are arranged on a 10 day schedule, not by weeks. <img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif"><br><br>
So that got me thinking about the remaining 6 uhoh2<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> weeks until my marathon.<br><br>
How about if I go on a 10 day schedule? Within every 10 days, I could do a 21-mile run, a tempo run, and some gentle running, and the occasional sprint triathlon.<br><br>
1st 10-day period: 21-miler, 7-mile tempo run, and easy running & hiking on vacation.<br><br>
2nd 10-day period: 21-miler, 8-mile tempo run, sprint tri, and a couple more gentle runs.<br><br>
3rd 10-day period: 21-miler (17 days prior to marathon), 8-mile tempo run, another sprint tri (14 days prior to marathon) and gentle running.<br><br>
4th 10-day period: taper...

 

[rosecoloredglasses]

That looks good, Econo.<br>
What are your thoughts about making the middle 21 miler into a 23 miler?

 

[TheProFromDover]

Leave it to you to upset the apple cart...<br><br>
>>1st 10-day period: 21-miler, 7-mile tempo run, and easy running & hiking on vacation.<br>
--This seems ok. What is equivalent weekly mileage?<br><br>
>>2nd 10-day period: 21-miler, 8-mile tempo run, sprint tri, and a couple more gentle runs.<br>
--A toddler tri (hey, you coined the term) should not upset anything as long as it's not too close to the 21 miler.<br><br>
>>3rd 10-day period: 21-miler (17 days prior to marathon), 8-mile tempo run, another sprint tri (14 days prior to marathon) and gentle running.<br>
--Again ok. A tri 14 days out is fine.<br><br>
>>4th 10-day period: taper...<br>
--Ok, as long as this is not the 'whole' taper. I am ok with 2 wk tapers but going to a 10 day taper is too short. But I think I read between the lines that you are ok here.<br><br>
Still, the whole thing is a little different. Maybe all good, just different. And different makes people have to think. Or perhaps to dismiss w/o thinking.

 

[Econo]

Good point about the taper, Pro. The taper would be officially 17 days long (the last 21-miler). So that means I need to back off the effort on the sprint tri (14 days out), just a bit.<br><br>
Rosy, hmmmm, I think that's a good idea. I'll see how I feel on the first 21-miler.

 

[rosecoloredglasses]

You'll feel like carp after the first 21 miler... but if you could finish a 23 miler... you would have a superb confidence builder.<br><br>
I know some folks don't go over 20 or 21 miles on training runs and, truth be told, I have failed on 22 and 23 milers... BUT... my best marathon (4:05) was less than four weeks after Omaha... which turned out to be just a really long catered training run for Connecticut..<br><br>
My other 4:05 marathon (Maryland) was four weeks after Tampa (4:22)...<br><br>
Not sure if there is a connection.<br><br>
Now I am second guessing and thinking that 21 miles is just fine, especially with those tempo runs and sprint tri's.<br><br>
Nevermind.

 

[FlyingFinn]

I cannot offer advice but I'm swooning over the 10 day book. I've never liked 7 day schedules. Lately I've been putting a month's worth of work on one page.

 

[millbot]

Hi, friend Econo. What did you have for lunch today?

 

[Soundrunner]

Yikes, Econo. I think that's too much for 6 weeks. Most of your training is already done. Why three 21-milers?

 

[TheProFromDover]

No food in the 10 day thread!!!!!!

 

[rosecoloredglasses]

How about a Gu and some e-tabs?

 

[FlyingFinn]

Wheat thins?

 

[Mustang Sally]

Econo, you're putting my training to shame. That's a lot to take on in the next six weeks. Is your calendar flexible enough to land long runs on weekdays?<br><br>
Also... I was wondering whether the Vanilla GU or the LemonLime version would be better if I added a little caffeine, and some steamed brown rice.<br><br><i>ducks and runs, cackling...</i>

 

[Econo]

You guys are making me laugh! <span style="font-size:xx-small;">(if food is free, do the calories count?)</span><br><br>
Rosy, I have two 20-milers under my belt already.<br><br>
Soundie, that's a good question....I had two 21-milers scheduled for the remaining 6 weeks. The 10-day schedule moves a 21 off my vacation week and allows for a 3rd 21.

 

[OrangeMat]

<span style="font-size:xx-small;">(nope, and especially not if you eat it standing up!)</span>

 

[CassadAAmius]

I would get swimming headaches just trying to think about a 10-day schedule.

 

[Mustang Sally]

This is why you need to put more complex carbs in your swimcap.

 

[Soundrunner]

geez, am I the only serious one here? Someone's got to be.<br><br>
Okay, okay, what I meant is not why, but <i>why?</i><br><br>
If you've done a lot of marathons (I can't recall how many) and have done that many 20-milers in the last 6 weeks and felt peppy on marathon day, go for it.<br><br>
But, I'm sticking to my original point -- most of your training is already done. I just think that cramming in three 20+ milers in the last 6 weeks, <i>plus</i> what else you want to do, will get you more tired than anything else. I'd do no more than two. My 2 cents. Now, I'll shut up. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[CassadAAmius]

That reminds me, I think I'll go eat a big bowl of ice cream.

 

[Mustang Sally]

OK. Time for my more serious comment. Please take it with a whole grain of salt, because I'm a newbie at all of this.<br><br>
Why are you changing horses in mid-stream? The training plan you've been building on is much more than six weeks long, and I'm sure you developed it with your usual logic and careful attention to detail. I am attracted by the notion of a 10-day cycle myself (although I can't quite wrap my head around the logistics issues) but if I were to change the rhythm and meat of my training, I think I'd wait until I kicked off RVM training for the fall.<br><br>
I sort of wonder whether this is an early-onset taper madness behaviour, as doubt creeps in, and a need to over-compensate for perceived weaknesses in training arises. (Am I debating how much to push past Coach's recommended distance on Saturday? Yes I am, and she'll give me a deserved hard time if I try to beat the plan. She should talk me down off the ledge tonight.)<br><br>
I worry about the concurrent tri-racing and marathon prep and want to see you blow past your second-half demons and finish strong in Eugene. Please don't go out and kill yourself on the road to the race, rather than at the race itself. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Pink]

When was your last 20 run?<br><br>
I also think that maybe one 22 or 23 mile run is a good idea to complete. And if you do, then maybe just do two 20+ runs. That would put you at 4 20+ runs which is good.