Running to time and feel does it work?

[Pippa49]

I have seen on a previous post a reply saying that someone was training to time. I was wondering how that works for marathon training asome people can cover a bigger distance in the same time than others so some may actually get closer to the max recommended before a marathon. Hope I am making sense. I have done 14miles outside and 18.26miles on the treadmill. Was considering doing my own adaption of the cross road method but wondering if I should just run for time, if so what is the max time I should go out for?

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

18.26 miles on a treadmill, wow, to some people that is horrific, at least you enjoyed it, that is the main thing, the max time you should go for is what you are most capable and comfortable with. 😊 🏃

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks not sure if I could do it outside but the next few weeks will reveal if I can.

[SlowLoris]

Different techniques suit people. Pick something you are comfortable doing and then follow the plan, adapting where necessary. Running for distance and for time are much the same thing really if you have a steady pace.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

I don't have a regular pace as it varies depending on the weather, terrain etc. I struggle to follow plans but that might be because this time I have little time with which I can play with but that's entirely my fault. I am entered for the Brighton marathon in April however if I don't finish the Yorkshire Marathon then I am withdrawing from Brighton and hope I don't get into London. Sorry if this upsets anyone but there is little point in doing London or Brighton if I don't finish Yorkshire Marathon:being realistic and accepting that I may not be cut out for more than half marathon distance.

[SlowLoris in reply to Pippa49]

Shouldn't upset anyone. Sounds very sensible to me. Lots of people drop out for a variety of reasons. It opens up a place for someone on the waiting list.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

I know but some would say why enter if you do not want to do it especially when lots of people want to do it and never get in. That said I can't do London anyway as it clashes with when we go to Swanage for the diesel gala (usually it is after the 1st May Bank Holiday but the organisers have changed it because the Govt is making the 75th anniversary of VE day a holiday instead of the Bank Holiday Monday) so if I get into London I will have to decide whether or not to defer or withdraw completely.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

I don’t understand why you’d right off London or Brighton if you don’t get through Yorkshire? You’d have plenty more time to train before them. 6 more months?

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

If I get into London I will have to defer as it clashes with when we go to Swanage as I said above. If I complete Yorkshire Marathon I will do Brighton but I can't do London whatever happens. If the gala was the usual date then I would have a week or so between the marathon and Swanage. I would not feel comfortable doing Brighton if I can't even finish Yorkshire Marathon. Another six months would not make any difference. I started training for Yorkshire Marathon on 15th April after the aborted attempt at the Brighton marathon this year so I have had plenty of time but was initially concentrating on Swansea Half which has been completed. Until I have finished a marathon I won't know if I want to do another!

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

greatist.com/fitness/marath...

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

Hi Pippa

I think it was my reply about running to time you saw. I'm following a polar training plan using my heartrate to train to. It doesn't follow distances as such, rather slower zones and a maximum run of 2hours 40. I don't think this is enough time for me to reach 30k but my pace is improving all the time so it might be possible. The above link I posted helped to calm me down when I panicked about my plan. Essentially someone fast can probably run most of a marathon in 3hours30! I can't but I might reach 30k in that time. I won't run further than that time prior to race day though.

I'm heading to Bournemouth to try out some of the route soon so I'll try a pace run there and see what I need to do after that.

Mostly it's trusting a plan and following it through. My zone training will hopefully help me not to overtrain and avoid injuries. It just hasn't stopped my panic lol!

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Thanks Clairecandothis. I know what you mean. I still ran when I returned from doing the Swansea Half marathon but on my recent holiday my pace was 20+min miles and it's really depressing as before Swansea I was doing occasional 15mm but mostly it varied between 15 & 19. I am concerned if my pace doesn't improve I will struggle to get around Cardiff Half never mind the Yorkshire Marathon!

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

My pace only improves if I do intervals and just run frequently overall. Are you out running often? I think in any plan, a shorter tempo run, a slow easy miles run and then the long run builds most people up for their race.

You know you can run the half distance, slow and steady and getting the miles in and built up now is what is needed. The marathon is more of an unknown but everything you do towards the half will help the big one! 😊

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

I run three times a week the shorter runs anything up to 5K. I go to a running group on a Thursday morning where we do anything from hill sprints to speed drills. My best half marathon time is 4 :10 00. I was 6mins quicker at Swansea Half this year (4:19:45) compared to when I did it last year (4:26:33, my first ever half marathon) but based on some people's calculations I would need over 8 hours and not many marathons around with long enough cut off although this is just theoretical as anything can happen on the day.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

Yeah 6 hours seems to be the cut off for most. Don't you have one where they have said you can finish though?

Maybe try to make your shorter runs reach 10k/10k+ and add some slow long runs into your week. If you are going to safely increase distance you need to start soon.

Anything can happen indeed, I've doubled my half time but it isn't as simple as that is it. Tired feet, mental strength, legs aching. It will all add up. I've been doing some strength training too as well as stretches. Overall the Polar Plan is very motivating and I've learnt a lot about pacing and heartrates.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Yes the Yorkshire Marathon organisers said if I need more than 7hrs I will be moved to the pavements and supported by the back marker to the finish line. I don't have time for more than one long run a week also getting 10K in is also hard after a long day at work and the nights will start drawing in soon which is why I am concentrating on the long run. I have done two 9 milers before my holiday so hope to increase to 14miles then 16etc. I had already started to increase my long run before my holiday. Just a temporary glitch but will be back on it from tomorrow.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

Sounds promising then. It's not all about the long runs though, although for our piece of mind it is helpful to run the distances, but all the other training adds to the actual run on the day. Best of luck.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Agreed. I went up to 11 for Swansea Half bit but on the day it was so humid until 2pm when the heavens opened lol but the support and company from the tail walkers was great :they bought me a Callipo . I was last in with the tail walkers and my friend who I had met on the day before for the first time and had a guard of honour from the army cadets clapping me as I went to get my medal and t-shirt. I was doing OK at the Brighton marathon until 9 miles then the wheels came off mentally but I was determined to get to 13miles before stopping.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

PS Thank you for your support and good wishes.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Pippa, I take my hat off to you, I really do. You're right some would say why enter etc, some would also say why enter when you haven't reached x,y, or z, but sod them all.

It takes real guts to enter these things and you're using these entries to help motivate you through the training.

Yes, I can do the distance, but you won't find me putting my name down on paper for any events, I have the anonymity and solitary joy but I do know I miss out too on the rest. You're a brave soul and you're going to get there 👍🏻💪🏻😁

You won't believe it but you are inspirational.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Aw thanks that is really kind of you.