[Be Smiz]

Hey folks...a quick pop in for a quick question:<br><br>
I'm having a bit of a dilemma with my long run schedule. A vacation messed up my 20 miler on my schedule and here I am 4 weeks out from race day having not completed a 20 miler yet. I was going to do one tomorrow but then I would have another scheduled for next weekend which would be the last 20 miler. Ok to do back to back 20 milers? Or would it be better to not do one tomorrow and just do one 3 weeks out?<br><br>
Forcast tomorrow calls for some brutal temps and humidity which didn't bode well with me the last time I went out for 20..I only made it 16. But if I have to, I have to.<br><br>
Thanks for any input or suggestions.<br><br>
~smizzy

 

[srlopez]

Getting in multiple 20 milers is pretty important. What does your schedule say you are supposed to run tomorrow?<br><br>
If you can, I'd say do one this weekend. Early, to stay out of the heat. Assuming you recover by Tuesday or so and your training continues normally, do your second one next weekend as planned.<br><br>
Those 18-and-longer runs are really important.

 

[Be Smiz]

Thanks. I have done an 18, 17, 16 etc. Just not any 20's.<br><br>
It's ok to do the back to back 20's?

 

[Timr1]

I did back to back 20 milers a few weeks ago. If you have a decent mileage base, then you should be OK to do them. At least I was. Everyone is different, so there's not hard fast rules here. I did both on a tough hilly course in Alabama heat. Even starting at 5:00am for both runs, the last hour was in the sun and it was HOT! The second 20 miler was tough, and I ended up about 9 mins slower than the week previous, but I got the miles in.

 

[PacerChris]

Back to back should be OK - just make sure you start early and start the run EASY. If you were going to run 18 originally, run the first 2 very slow and then the 18 the way you would have planned to run them anyway.<br><br>
To me - there's nothing magical about hitting the 20 mile plateau versus 18 milers...except in terms of the confidence YOU gain from it mentally. I think it's a good idea to do the second one, but make it easy - no sense trashing yourself over it.

 

[Be Smiz]

Thanks for the feedback.<br><br>
I decided to run both 20's, or try to at least. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be cooler so I'm waiting for that. I ran just an hour today in this oppressive humidity and know that I wouldn't have been able to endure it for 20, no matter how early I started.<br><br>
I wish I could toughen up to the heat..but I just don't have it in me.<br><br><br>
Thanks again!<br><br>
~smizzy

 

[Gingerbread]

Good luck! Tomorrow should be much better. I ran yesterday in the 91 F heat and it was brutal. Even though I don't have the experience to answer the question, I know that if I set out to do a run and end up doing poorly or not going as far as I wanted to, I lose some confidence. I try to set up my longer runs so I do well and gain confidence.<br><br>
I think you're doing the right thing, I can't run in the heat either. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[tigger]

You don't mention how long a 20 miler will take, and you also don't mention how long it takes you to recover from a run like that. Those are more important factors at this point than getting a second 20 miler in, at least in my opinion. You don't want to go into your race on tired legs.

 

[OklaHomer]

Something I learned from the Hanson brothers. A day lost is a day lost. You can't get it back, so forget it and move on with the schedule as usual.

 

[Be Smiz]

Well, I did end up doing 20 on Sunday(in 3:30). Gloriously cool, cloudy and rainy weather. My favorite. 20 went well. I felt strong.<br><br>
My legs have felt great all week. I've decided to attempt the second 20 tomorrow. The weather will be ideal(low 40's) and my legs are strong, so what the heck?<br><br>
thanks for the feedback!

 

[Gingerbread]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Good luck!! I'm glad your first 20 went so well. The weather tomorrow here is going to be very cool as well. We have a chance of frost tonight. Winter is on the way!

 

[Be Smiz]

I know! My ski itch is kicking in!!<br><br>
I heard an ugly rumor that the prediction is for an even warmer winter than last year. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad">

 

[Gingerbread]

Frost this morning! Temp about 27 or 28 F...

 

[speedbump]

bump

 

[Be Smiz]

PANCAKES!!!!