Chicago Marathon Training Update: The Big Six-Ohh
20 days. That’s all the time that’s left before I return to Chicago to run the Chicago Marathon – my eighth marathon and my second time running this race. I’ve been experiencing a range of emotions this month: excitement, anticipation, fear, uncertainty, confidence, self-doubt. And somewhere in the middle of those conflicting feelings, I hit a huge milestone: I ran 60 miles this past week – my highest weekly mileage ever.
In the past, I’ve been a subscriber of the Run Less Run Faster philosophy that includes 3 hard workouts and 2 days of cross training. But this training cycle, I felt that to truly get better, I needed to add volume. I’m tired, and my legs want to rest. But I also know that as I enter my taper at the end of this week, I will be stronger for all the miles and distance covered.
As I think about my goals for race day, I’ve been thinking a lot about this post from one of my favorite elite runners and bloggers Tina Muir on why she isn’t setting a time goal for the Chicago Marathon. In her article, she talks about how most running goals are often centered around crossing the finish line under a particular number on the clock (guilty!). But she shares that when it comes to the marathon, there are no guarantees and that “all you can do is perform the best you can on that day with what your body gives you.” She goes on to say that success will be defined by feeling that you gave it your all and do your absolute best with what the day gives you.
Like Tina, I too, have a number in my head, but I also know from experience that I run best when I’m relaxed and focused on feeling good rather than on a pace or time goal (case in point: Albany Marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon, Kauai Marathon). The problem is, I want that number in my head. I want it bad. But I also know that the alternative is not failure. Whether I hit that number in my head or not; it’s about feeling good, never giving up and never giving in. It’s about being as strong as I can be all the way through the finish line.
That’s what will make race day a success. Fast numbers are awesome, but they don’t define me. I want to be defined by my fight, my courage and my refusal to never give up. How can you be disappointed with that, no matter what your Garmin says at the end of the race?
Here is what last week’s training looked like:
- Monday: 9 easy miles
- Tuesday: AM: 1-hour sports massage; PM: 8.25 miles including 3 x 2 miles at 7:19 pace with a slow 800-meter recovery jog between each
- Wednesday: AM: 6 easy miles; PM: 1 hour of strength training at Barre3
- Thursday: 10.1-mile tempo run with 7 miles at tempo pace. The first five were progressive miles from 7:57 to 7:24. I was targeting marathon pace for the final 2 tempo miles (slower than the first 5) but ended up running about 10-15 seconds faster than planned for those.
- Friday: REST (hallelujah!)
- Saturday: 16 miles at 8:20 average pace with 6 miles faster than race pace (between 7:57 and 8:09)
- Sunday: 11 slow recovery miles (I ran with one of the girls I coach who was getting in her long run for half marathon training.)
How was your training last week? Do you prefer high mileage or fewer, faster miles for your training? If you’re running the Chicago Marathon in 3 weeks, be sure to let me know so I can be on the lookout for you!
Comments
SO speedy and way to go on high mileage-I know you’ll do great race day! I’m still on the run less kinda bandwagon but feel really strong right now so we’ll see how the race goes in Chicago!
Thank you Lauren. So glad to hear that you are feeling strong. That is awesome. Hope to see you in Chicago!
Awesome job, lady! Way to rock the week and a great mindset. I’m headed into my goal half on Saturday, and I’ve been training for a number. THE NUMBER. And as much as I know I’ve done the work, I’m terrified of what happens. You are very wise in this post: The alternative is not failure. Thank you for writing this. You might have done it for you but it is helpful to me!
Good luck this weekend Kim! I will be cheering you on virtually. We all have it in us, it just depends what the day gives us. I am confident you will have a great day no matter what. So glad this post was helpful. xoxo
I’ve missed “my number”….a sub 4:00 marathon at age 60 (now 61), and I ran many more miles the last two marathons than training for this one (Columbus). The last marathon I felt the strongest I ever felt, and still fell short. So, I am doing the reverse of Runladylike…..I have adhered to the “Less is More” program for a 3:55 goal from the Furman Institute faithfully. Three quality runs, two cross training days and a ton of stretching and strength training. We’ll see what happens this time. The most weekly miles I ran in previous marathon efforts was 48. My long runs have been between just 5 seconds (10-14 miles) and 10-15 seconds (15-20 miles) slower than my goal pace of 8:57.
I know you’ve got this Mike! I’m a huge fan of the Run Less Run Faster plan. It has gotten me to a ton of PRs in the 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon distance during the past year and a half. I just knew that for me, I also needed to keep strong speed, tempo and long runs and add additional mileage to help me be stronger during the last 6 miles, which has been a problem for me in the past. The cool thing about running is that we can test out a variety of strategies and see what works best for us. I know you have that sub-4 finish in your future soon! xo
Great week! My plan looks very similar to yours – I plan to peak at close to 60 as well which will be a new high for me.
I totally get what you are saying about process goals vs time goals – I actually have a post in draft that I need to finish that goes along these same lines. I tend to focus on the end goal instead of celebrating little accomplishments along the way. I really want to change my pattern of thought for my big marathon coming up! Of course I want that time goal but I think focusing on the little goals like staying strong, high cadence, not giving up, drawing energy from the crowd, will get me there! And if t doesn’t at least I can be proud of the effort!
Thanks for the shout out lovely lady. You are right on with your thinking, and I am sure it will pay us both off for being smart about it. Crazy it is closing in so fast, but I know we need to make the most of it to enjoy our time as it comes closer 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
It sounds like we’re making the same adjustments to our training here 🙂 I have always been a “3 hard workouts and 2 days of cross training” type of guy, until this year. I am not particularly training for a marathon right now (but am running 2 halves in the fall), although I am embracing distance, easy runs, and frequent runs, for the first time over speed.
That awesome blog post by Tina solidified a lot of things for me too.
“The problem is, I want that number in my head. I want it bad.”
…the way I’m thinking about it now is “do I need to hit that number THIS TIME? What is wrong with aiming for that number SOME TIME in the next 2-3 years, rather than 2-3 months?”. When I think about this, my impatience fades away. I want to be defined by progress now instead of setbacks.
I love your thinking and the questions you’ve been asking yourself Mike. That is great perspective and I appreciate you sharing it! Good luck with your training.
The strongest I have ever felt for me personally is higher mileage, but with only a couple of tough runs a week. Unfortunately, injuries have caught up to me the last two years! BLASTED INJURIES! I guess there is always next year.
Question for you? Most miles you have ever ran in a year is???
I’m so sorry you have been experiencing injuries Tim. It is hard to be sidelined when you want to be running, but I know you will come back strong. Although I track my mileage in Daily Mile (name is Jesica D), I’ve really never looked at yearly mileage so I can’t answer your question. That has never been a goal for me so is not something I’ve kept good track of. I will be able to share at the end of this year how many miles I’ve run. The past two years I was more focused on triathlon so was spending a lot of time on the other two sports.
I’m getting really excited for you, and I love that you are ON your mental game. That is just as important as a 60 mile week – which you already know. Plus, I love Tina and all the great advice she gives. She’s an amazing athlete and has some great experience behind her, so I take her advice all.the.time. No matter what, you are a different woman heading to that start line, and you will be forever changed by the finish. Finish strong!
Thank you so much Allie!!! I will be channeling your speed on race day 🙂 xo
My training (for NYCM) is going well. I’ve been good with sticking to my training plan and my speed work has gone well this time (usually that’s my area where I struggle). I prefer fewer miles (35-40ish). I did my first marathon on a 6 day/week training plan and it was terrible for me. I was spent by the end of it and had no desire to run anymore. 4 days a week is good for me and I usually add another 2 days of cross training.
Great attitude toward the race, it’s great to have a goal in mind, but also really great that you understand and appreciate that just finishing is a pretty amazing accomplishment! Good luck!! 🙂
Best of luck as you wind down training for Chicago! I loved reading about your Kauai experience (I’m running it next year) and know you’ll run a great race in the Windy City.
I actually subscribe to neither. I used to lean toward high mileage, but I’m an oft-injured soccer player-turned runner, and I was always getting hurt. I cut my mileage almost in half and started setting PRs in nearly every race, at multiple distances. I’ve found that as long as I maintain my base fitness level and get in 1 or 2 long runs before a 10-miler or half, I can bring it on race day – and I’ll be healthier. I still don’t do speed work (it increases my injury risk), but I’m still setting PRs, and I’ve placed in my age group in almost every race I’ve run this year. It’s working for me!
Awesome job on all your PRs, Laura. I love to hear what works for other people. The coolest part about running is that different things work for all of us. Upping my mileage this training cycle is really a test for me to see if I respond well to that, as I’ve responded well to running fast, lower mileage in the past. We shall see in just a few short weeks. Good luck with your training! xo
Awesome training lady! Especially that tempo run! I re-read some of my favorite passages in Mind Gym the week leading up to the marathon. Which was really helpful.
Good luck and awesome job with your mileage this week!
its funny- i just had this convo w/jess yesterday (about similar things with me and the goals). you will have a great race, i know it. on previous post- hate i missed the class- hoping to get back to it after the marathon!! see ya saturday!
Great week! Great post! You are totally ready for Chicago!!
I had a great week of training! I did my long run today and it was awesome!
I totally get “the number”. We always want one. I had the number in my mind for Chicago last year and I think that deterred me from getting it! I am going into NYC this year with no big goals than to have a great race. I don’t really want to focus on the time! 🙂
That is the best way to play it Leslie. We always surprise ourselves when we don’t have such hard expectations and are relaxed. Congrats on a great week of training and good luck with the last 5+ weeks of training for NYC!