New York Marathon - I used to be a runner, I think

[HumanGazelle]

This weekend I went to a wedding in Whitstable. An interesting mix of proud Nigerian Catholics and rowdy Kentish builders. Having a drink and eating no cake did get in the way of proper training, but it's the last such weekend. From here onwards it's just running and cake the whole way.

I'm running the Hackney Half Marathon on Sunday week (7th Aug). So I'll get my long run in this weekend, and then taper a little bit over next week. Which means putting in the effort this week.

Monday, 25 July
4 miles - I took it fast but didn't time myself.

Tuesday
Intervals, all with 1 minute easy jogging between
5*600m
2*1600m
Maybe I ought to have done a pyramid and finished with a couple of short sprints. Will try that next time.

[soniczip]

your running/cake plan ...

[HumanGazelle]

The only point of training is to allow you to eat more

Wednesday
10 miles
I was going to do 6-8 miles but I felt good so I kept on going.

[HumanGazelle]

Saturday
4 miles

Sunday
8 miles

This week is going to be a light week, so I'm rested for my half marathon next Sunday. I only have one previous time for a half: 1.52 which I ought to be able to improve upon substantially. I just hope it's not as hot as it was over the weekend just gone - if so, then I will suffer and all bets are off.

[soniczip]

supergood luck! 1:45ish?

[HumanGazelle]

supergood luck! 1:45ish?

Thanks sonic! 1.45 would have been great but I wasn't quite up to it - times have just been published and I managed 1:48:50 on the day. It's a new PB by 4 minutes, which I'm pretty pleased about, considering. But after the marathon training is out of the way I should definitely be in a good position to improve on this again.

Peter Simpson was there to show Vegan Runners' support and take some photos: http://veganrunnersuk.blogspot.com/2011/08/hackney-marshes-half-7-august.html Whenever I saw the camera I did keep mind that in long distance running events, you have to pick your knees up when being photographed otherwise you look like you're speed-walking. But it looks like Peter chose the speed-hobbling photos

It was a good day - there were 4 members of Vegan Runners there, and the Hackney Half Marathon is a fun event... the organisers make it friendly and informal. It got pretty sunny but there was a good cool breeze the whole time, and a merciful, small shower of rain about half way through. I've been aching all week and plagued by the thought that I have to do the whole thing again this weekend... plus an extra mile

[soniczip]

excellent shaving off 4 minutes is quite an achievement anyway!

[baldy]

supergood luck! 1:45ish?

Thanks sonic! 1.45 would have been great but I wasn't quite up to it - times have just been published and I managed 1:48:50 on the day. It's a new PB by 4 minutes, which I'm pretty pleased about, considering. But after the marathon training is out of the way I should definitely be in a good position to improve on this again.

A pb is a PB and your on target for nice sub 4 hour marathon. Keep the training up.

[HumanGazelle]

Cheers... I definitely think 1.45 is within my grasp. Next half I do, that will definitely be my goal.

My pace suggests a sub 4hr is doable, but not an easy target by any means. I will just have to pack the work in between now and November.

Mon 1st August
4 miles

Tue
rest

Wed
600m x2, 1600m x2, 3 miles pace

Thu
rest

Fri
rest

Sat
rest

Sun
Half Marathon, 1:48:50 PB

[HumanGazelle]

Mon, 8th Aug
rest

Tue
4 miles

Wed
8 miles

Thu
5.5 miles

Fri
rest

Sat
8 miles

Sun
11.5 miles. Was going to aim for about 13+ but I miscalculated the distance. This was a tough run - I felt the toll of having run more during the week, compared to the half marathon where I was well rested.

[HumanGazelle]

Mon, 15 Aug
rest

Tue
4 miles

Wed
8 miles

Thu
5 miles

Fri
rest

Sat
5 miles

Sun
14 miles
Went to the Vegan Festival first to properly hydrate and carb load. Didn't stay very long but good to see a few guys there.

This felt like my first 'proper' long run - in other words, it got boring and painful as only long runs should do! You know how your mind plays tricks on you.... well for about 3 miles I found "I can sing a rainbow" popped into my head and I couldn't shift it! Eventually I managed to superimpose Neutral Milk Hotel but it was a distressing 3 miles I can tell you

For my long runs I am going to try and apply the 3/1 Running rule as described here http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/MaraIntermediate2.html which means putting as much power as possible into the last half hour (by that point it seemed all relative anyway, as I felt as weak as a kitten). It seems generally like good discipline to save something for the end of a race (it's psychologically great to be overtaking people after you've hit the wall and all that).

[Konstantin]

Definitely on course, but could I suggest some more speedwork?

[soniczip]

You know how your mind plays tricks on you.... well for about 3 miles I found "I can sing a rainbow" popped into my head and I couldn't shift it! Eventually I managed to superimpose Neutral Milk Hotel but it was a distressing 3 miles I can tell you

this happens to me too sometimes (at least "used to happen" when i was doing long runs ) although never with nmh but now that i read this post, i'm sure the king of carrot will chace me up the next hill

[HumanGazelle]

Definitely on course, but could I suggest some more speedwork?

Thanks, you're right. I've been taking some of the shorter runs as fast as I can, but not working them into proper interval sessions because of time constraints. Speedwork is easy to neglect - without doing it you can still feel like you've worked out well because you're tired. Will try harder!

[HumanGazelle]

You know how your mind plays tricks on you.... well for about 3 miles I found "I can sing a rainbow" popped into my head and I couldn't shift it! Eventually I managed to superimpose Neutral Milk Hotel but it was a distressing 3 miles I can tell you

this happens to me too sometimes (at least "used to happen" when i was doing long runs ) although never with nmh but now that i read this post, i'm sure the king of carrot will chace me up the next hill

I hope the king of carrot accompanies you on your next crossfit challenge
I could happily have NMH in my head for the whole run. I was mainly freaking out for a while that I couldn't escape a children's song - it was like a bad acid trip.