Marathon runners advice please

[PoopySalata]

I had a place for the 2020 Paris marathon that got pushed back to October 17th this year. I just assumed it wouldn’t happen and haven’t trained.

Now I’m thinking I should just do it anyway - I’m not unfit, I’m just not at the level I was when Paris got cancelled last year. The marathon is 7 weeks away.

DH has offered to pay for a hotel and make a long weekend of it without the kids - it’s very tempting!

If I up my long run to 20 miles over the next four weekends (last weekend was 14 miles at 10:00/mile and felt easy) Would that be enough?

Should I slow my long run pace right down to get more time on my feet? Should I drop my tempo runs and just do lots of longer easy runs? Do a three or a two week taper?

Am I daft for thinking I can do this, It would be my first marathon (I’ve done loads of half’s) and I’m not looking for a fast time just to get round uninjured.

Hmm. A bit more info needed I think...

When did you last do a proper block of marathon training, with 18/20 mile runs? As a longest run of 14 miles isn't enough at this point if it's the furthest you've ever run in your life but, if you've trained properly for a marathon before, you'll adapt to the longer runs more easily.

Realistically this is going to be difficult. With six weeks out from the marathon, you'll need to do perhaps an 18 mile run and then two 20s, before a three week taper . But if you're running 14 miles at 10 minute mile pace,, those long runs could take you a very long time and leave you open to injury..unless of course you are used to running those distances in previous marathon training blocks.

Also, what's your half marathon PB and when did you run that?

I completed London in 2018 having suffered huge ITB injury 8 weeks before, had only ever got to 13 miles in training. Physio told me nothing more than 5k at a time 3 times a week and as much as I could manage in the gym/pool to keep the core fitness up.

My time was rubbish but I did it, and remain chuffed to bits with my accomplishment. I've now got a PB to beat next time I get a ballot place.

TL,DR I'd pull out if you're looking for a PB, but it's not impossible to complete after minimal training (though I'd do as much as I could to avoid further injury on the day and to speed recovery afterwards)

Thanks @fellrunner85. I trained for Paris last year, I was up to 20 miles and then it was cancelled - I was basically ready to taper. After that I've stuck with half distance for my long runs, with occasional 16 miler.

I currently run 30 miles a week. I could run a sub 2 half right now without it being a killer effort. My PB is 1:55 but that was two years ago and there haven't been any races since.

I'm not worried about time, I'll take 5 hours as a gift (I was hoping for around 4:10 last year). I literally just want to get round without battering myself. So it's a really a question of how to minimise the risk - I'm 47 so no spring chicken.

I also cycle about 50 miles a week but neglect my strength training.

@Couldhavebeenme3

I completed London in 2018 having suffered huge ITB injury 8 weeks before, had only ever got to 13 miles in training. Physio told me nothing more than 5k at a time 3 times a week and as much as I could manage in the gym/pool to keep the core fitness up.

My time was rubbish but I did it, and remain chuffed to bits with my accomplishment. I've now got a PB to beat next time I get a ballot place.

TL,DR I'd pull out if you're looking for a PB, but it's not impossible to complete after minimal training (though I'd do as much as I could to avoid further injury on the day and to speed recovery afterwards)

That's a cracking effort to finish on the back of injury and limited training. You've given me some hope! Did you recover ok afterwards?

I personally think you have got this in the bag. I would slow down the pace and up the mileage. I would put money on you getting sub 5hrs. Here is a little confidence = makeshift confidence emoji. That's all you need. You have the training, the experience and the will. This is yours. Have a bloody great time and report back.

If you are running 30 miles a week, cycling 50 and ran 14 miles this week then I'd say you'll have no problems whatsoever and can't believe you'd think otherwise! If I were you I'd increase my long run by two miles each week, 16, 18, 20 and you've got a spare week do another 20 before tapering. Good luck and let us know how you get on!

@PoopySalata ha, thanks! I could hardly move the next day or the day after but the buzz kept me going!

You're way ahead of where I was, and if everything else can be easily put in place (travel, accommodation, covid tests etc - check for France's restrictions) then go for it! At the very least you'll have a nice trip around the city

@SummerHouse thank you for the star, I needed a confidence boost. I run alone so have no one to ask about these things and got myself worried that I was taking on too much.

@Sanch1 that’s what I thought I should do - just slow down and up the miles. It just seems so easy after flogging myself through the last lot of training in winter (16 miles on a treadmill during Storm Dennis was a low point 😂). It almost seems fraudulent to just do four weeks proper training.

@Couldhavebeenme3 I’ll get DH to book a hotel with a spa, I think I’m going to need it.

Thanks everyone, I’ll report back if it actually happens!

You'll be fine, OP! Yes it might not be a PB but you've got more than enough miles in your legs to get round.
My absolute main marathon tip is that the race starts at 20 miles, which I didn't really realise until I'd done a couple of them. So aim to get to 20 miles on the day feeling fairly fresh and within yourself. Then it's about knuckling down and suffering through the last 10k...!

Reporting back:

I did it, it wasn’t pretty and I’m sore all over but definitely not injured.

I didn’t have much of a plan, I still ran my interval and tempo sessions as normal. I just threw in four long runs 16-18-20-18 and then a quick ten day taper.

I planned to just hold comfortable 9:30 mile pace for as long as I could during the race. I held on until mile 20 and then did 6 minutes run /2 minutes walk intervals until 25 (if I’d pushed I think I’d have been in trouble). I ran the last mile as fast as I could (not very fast 😂) and was completely spent at the end. It’s totally true, it’s a 20 mile warmup for a 6 mile race.

I did it 4:17 and a few seconds, I’m not sure if I’ll do it again yet, ask me next week!

Amazing - well done! As someone who can only manage 4 miles at a time, I’m in absolute awe of you!

Brilliant well done ⭐️

Wow! Well done. Great achievement. I definitely think you’ll be planning to do another one soon!

That's a fantastic achievement! Well done!

Oh my god that’s amazing, well done!

Well done!!!!!!'

That's an amazing time following a short training period, well done! You'd clearly be sub-4 if you'd had more opportunity to train.

Really impressed you took it on 🙌

Thanks everyone, it was hard but totally worth it. The route was amazing and I think that helped to keep me going