A looong week

[Decker]

Today was the end of a long running week. 51km. The most km I’ve done in a week, trying to give this new marathon plan a chance. And today’s long run through the East Don Trail was tiring by the end. The plan asked for 22km, but I could only pull off 18.75, and that is only by adding the main run and post subway short run together. Ah well. We went slow as my friend wanted to do 28 today. Didn’t want to overdo it either. Prior to my last HM, I was doing roughly 30-36km per week on a 3 run schedule. This is now a 4 run setup, gradually increased in distance over the last 4-5 weeks. And there was strength work added on most rest days which I am not used to either. I’m wiped but happy I could do it so far. Also on the positive side was running in a fresh drop of snow through the beautiful park land. It was cold today but not like Thurs night which was bone chilling cold. I had some good company too. And I remembered to bring a dry jacket and gloves for the second half. The Sauc Excursion shoes were great today too. No slips!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Wow Decker ...51k 😳! That is a crazy week. You've come so far in the last year. My hat's off to you ! You're unstoppable.

What a gorgeous place to run. I'm glad the new trail shoes are fitting the bill. Looks like you guys are also in a winter wonderland ❄️☃️

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask. I am lucky to be in a run group if motivated peeps who are always positive. On my own I don’t think I would have it in me to do this kind of distance regularly.

The trail was nice too with some fresh snow (just a little - we could use a bit more but I’m sure that is coming) and the shoes held up well. Just have to be careful on metal surfaces where the soles get slippy. I’ve learned to run clear of subway grates. 😁

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

I found the same thing with the steel pedestrian bridges - man they get slippery when they’re not full of packed snow.

You’ve got a great run group! You’re very fortunate.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yeah there was enough crunch snow on them, but when they get slick lookout!

Awesome group of people for sure!

[runswithdogs]

Beautiful.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to runswithdogs]

If it wasn’t so cold I would have taken lots of pics. 🥶😁It was very scenic

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Beautiful place to run! 51 k in a week is amazing! You’re making amazing progress. Fresh snow makes for a nice run.

I test ran some Saucony 8 Peregrine Ice shoes at parkrun today. The rep was there with samples. They were nice and light and I didn’t slip or slide around.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thanks Lavender. It is running with a motivated group that helped this week. I did not run alone once :). The snow was really nice too. And it was just a light powder dusting too.

I wanted a pair if peregrines, but they were not 25% off like these ones 😁. I think misswobble has a pair she loves. These Excursions did not have the best reviews for fit, but they were perfect for my foot shape, as are my other Sauc Guide 9 road pair.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

I had never tried Saucony before. It’s great that you’ve found the perfect fit!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Reading what other people go through, I think I just got lucky with my first shoe choice

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

I’ve got some bargain peregrines and they're fine. Not ice ones tho 😃

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Nice pair of shoes to get a bargain on!😀

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

If you can go to running races where the sponsor is a shoe retailer there are always bargains 👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's a fabulous photo, such a scenic run. But it takes more than scenery to distract from distances like that! You're making an amazing job of this training. Good luck with whatever outlandish mileage you have planned for next week!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. It really helps to have a group of motivated people around you to get through. Yesterday my friend and I just pulled each other through.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Well done, and that's lovely!! xx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi. I’ve found different mara plans and they are all so different. This one seems to really push mileage early on.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

When I first decided to do a marathon I did a sort of pre-training distance increase - all the way up to 32km! I wanted to see if I could 😊 Then I cut it right back to start mara training proper.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

I do want to do the full distance for my 30k prior to March too. And likely for any marathons that follow. I did the same for my first HM training too. Its such a long way, your brain just needs to know like you say 🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I do one 32 km near the end of training and that’s it til the race I did go over that previously and ended up hurting myself. Lesson learned

[Madge50 Marathon]

Crikey Decker, that’s some distance! Well done you. The most I get up to in a week just before a HM is 25-28k (total) at the absolute max, with my cross training I found I got really tired a couple of weeks before the event this time, on the verge of picking up a cold etc., so take it steady, take good care of yourself.

Mx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge, I am just trying to follow this ‘beginner’ mara plan I picked up. I’ve not hit their long run distances a few times, so I try to make up for it with a little extra in the shorter runs. So far I am feeling good. Legs were tired yesterday, but as we went slow, they had no unusual pain points that come when I push too hard.

[Lordi Marathon]

Good week's work there Decker! I too had problems hitting mileage targets with longer runs. Was it because you ran past your house? That was my issue when I hadn't planned my routes well, I'd end up running past home to do the last 1- 2km of 26km - Which often didn't happen! Especially if I was suffering, wet, it started raining...well any excuse really ;-). Good idea with the trail shoes, I broke out my Salomon Speedcross gnarrly ones yesterday for a slushy/icy parkrun, feels good to have that extra grip.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lordi]

Thanks Lordi, no I wasn’t near home (but yes, I’ve done that on a hot summer run too :)) No, I think it was just the weekly mileage taking a toll as I get used to it. It was cold and a bit windy too. My friend next to me in the pic is training for an Ultra in Mexico and he had trouble with his distance today too. Happy I picked these shoes up too, very grippy in snow, though the soles are slippery on metal, so I have to avoid the subway grates

[misswobble Marathon]

Sometimes the grates are covered in wet leaves. Double doo doo 😫

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Or thin snow sometimes too

[misswobble Marathon]

Your route there looks beautiful. A winter wonderland The reality is very different though isn’t it. This stuff is hard but you’re up to the job 💪😃👍🏃‍♂️

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Yeah it’s kinda a love-hate relationship. 95% love most days tho

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

51? That’s tough going man. I once did around 40 and felt it afterwards. I’m trying to mix up my age, my expectations, my ability, what I’m made of and then put a large dosage of reality in it as well. What you pulled off is remarkable!

Like you, I’m doing alright but fully aware that my target of running a non stop, non walking full marathon may not be achievable unless l walk parts of it (in which case the deal would be off) so I’m working on the brain part of the job and trying to convince myself that it’s just up to 5 hours of slow jogging that l need to go through in order to get there. Btw, my route will cover Bermondsey Studios route where the Stones and Floyd rehearsed their finest works back when we were little

And your photo looks business! Like something out of Revenant (the movie) but in a good way,

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

Thanks mrrun. I did feel it into this week and have dialled it back a little, as we have an 18k coming up on Saturday. I also felt a bit knackered all week. Yesterday was no fun. But this morning I ran 12 just to purge some of the demons and I feel a bit better now. Regarding the marathon distance, a marathoner friend told me its actually harder on the body to do a slower marathon because of the added time on your feet. I guess there is a sweet spot in there somewhere, that we can shoot for. I am planning this 30k in March to work as a prelude to the full mara distance that I’m hoping to do next Oct. Not signing up until the 30k is done to be safe :). No idea how they will go. And I have not cracked more than 17k in a single run since the HM in Oct, so we’ll see.

I like the sound of that new route of yours. You are onto something there! 🎸

Yeah the new pic is my new look. Got tired of looking at my own mug