Cutting a run short

[Pippa49]

I had planned to do 10 miles this morning. Headed out at 5.55am but by 7-7.30 it was getting a bit too warm. Decided I'd had enough after 7miles. Know I did what was right for me but why do I feel like I failed? I am planning to do 18miles on Bank Holiday Monday and will be going out early as possible if it is light before the heat of the day. Know I shouldn't be too hard on myself.

On a different note since Swansea Half I am struggling to get below 19min miles. I know the long runs are meant to be slow but concerned that at that pace I will struggle to finish the marathon regardless of whether I have done the mileage or not. Know it could be different on the day, crowd support etc etc. Please note that I am not bothered about my pace per se but thought with the running drills, hills etc at my running group Thursday morning would have made some difference to my average pace.

Sorry for the long post.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Oh Pippa, I am the queen of the long post. No need to apologize for that 😊

I had the exact same thought as you on my long run yesterday. I run my long runs "easy" and then you start worrying about whether you can actually pick up the pace at all, or if you only have one pace (that is my thought). But I am also hoping, the plan that I'm following works and I can pull it out of the bag come race day. But if not, it is what it is. This is supposed to be fun and sometimes you just have to remind yourself of that (of course, I'm not doing a marathon, just a 20k trail race so easier said than done, I know. With how tough my training has been this year for this race, it just reconfirmed what I already knew - I won't be running the 50k race any time soon). You've got a great plan in place for your next long run. Fingers crossed it is cooler for you that day. Running in the heat is mentally and physically exhausting, I find.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks. I am used to the heat having done my first ever half marathon last year in Swansea when it was a scorcher. I had done two 10 mile runs in the warm in training but a marathon is a different game. I know that I can do 16miles now and just need to do two extra miles on Monday. I used to be able to run/walk at a pace of 17min miles and less before Swansea and now struggling to get do under 19min miles. The Yorkshire Marathon organisers have said that they as a team are there until the last runner crosses the finish line whatever that time may be (I have this in writing in an email) so I am not too worried about the marathon but not to say I won't try my best to not keep them waiting too long. I just want to finish. I have two days to recover after Monday! Good job my job involves mostly sitting and typing (I'm an audio typist in the NHS)

[Tasha99 Marathon]

My club was doing a long training run today with quite a few people and several quit before the end. It’s just too hot. Don’t be hard on yourself. The weather isn’t due to change til Wednesday so maybe delay your next run? I’m dreading mine on Tuesday.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

I rather get it out of the way rather than wait until Saturday which is the best day ( I went out at 8.18am last Saturday to do the 16miles and didn't get home until nearly 3pm- I had a couple of bathroom breaks) plus I was walking, not particularly fast either so didn't get to do anything else so doing it Monday is best as long as I go out really early (as long as its light enough).

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

But you still did 7! That's good enough, and if you manage your 18 on Monday you'll be still moving towards your goal.

We're just too hard on ourselves, you have to adapt to conditions 👍🏻😁

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Very true. I normally swim on Sunday morning and suppose could go later on but would I be taking on too much by having a go at the 18miles tomorrow which would give me Bank Holiday Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday as recover time? Just a thought.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Pippa49]

I would wait for Monday. You've done 7 today. Have tomorrow off from running and stick with Monday.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I think you are fine Pippa. If you can get your 18 in cooler conditions it could give you a confidence boost for the next round. It sounds like you are doing a lot of cross training too with your swimming which is great. I am sorely lacking in that department. Regarding your pace, it can be tricky to focus on both pace and distance simultaneously, but your hills and intervals should start paying off. It took awhile to kick in for me but they did make a difference.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. I didn't wake up until 6.50am this morning (Sunday 25/8) too late to go out for a run so it's swimming as usual. Not sure if it will be cooler tomorrow morning also don't have 24hr recovery time before going back to work. Tempting to leave it until the last Saturday of the month.

[misswobble Marathon]

You worry too much. Take a chill pill. Running is supposed to be fun. Why else would we be doing it 😃

I did a long run yesterday. Yes it was hot so I went slowly. I wish i’d set off at the crack of dawn but I didn’t so had to put up with it. I comforted myself by being glad it wasn’t the middle of winter and I was being tsunamied by passing juggernauts 🌨💨🌊❄️

You can only do one run at a time 🤷‍♀️🙂. You’re doing it so give yourself a fist bump 👊💪✊👍😃

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I know, one of my weaknesses I'm afraid. Yes I am out there doing it. Out of interest how early would you have gone out? Do you eat before you run? I usually have oatso simple porridge but I may have a protein bar if before 5am. Got some collapsible bottles from Poundland with a clip to attach to one's running belt. Have rinsed them out, filled them with water with an SIS tab dissolved in it and put them in the fridge. Have some jelly beans, some cola flavoured raisins and a nakd bar. All ready for tomorrow.

[misswobble Marathon]

i don’t go out very early 9.00 am would be early for me When it’s really hot though it makes sense to head out sooner rather than later. I always eat my breakfast and it’s always porridge 😋. I had a 21.5 k run yesters and I took a soft flask of water and a 500 ml bottle with zero High five and water, a homemade peanut power bar (recipe was posted up yesterday again 🙂). A few haribo’s And a couple of small almond honey snacks

Have fun tomorrow. It’s going to be mega hot so set your alarm for an early start 🙂👍. I’d wear a cap. I forgot mine yesterday

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

Good luck for tomorrow Pippa. If you can head out early do, I should have today, and I wish I'd taken my cap too!

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Hi only managed 8 miles as far too warm. Didn't go out early enough. Going to try again on Saturday, hopefully it will be cooler.

[Lordi Marathon]

I can never stick to a plan. I often want to run farther than a plan says or else I can't be arsed to run a stipulated longer planned run. It often depends on how we feel, no? My tried and tested HM and marathon "plan" is a 5k, 10k and long run. Long run gets longer each week (+10%) etc. Go up to 18k for a HM and 32k for the marathon as longest run (minimum). Do the runs in any order as long as you don't do 2 long runs one after the other. Always have a day off in between runs. Easy to follow. A simple plan for simple people (like me) Keep at it.

[Lordi Marathon in reply to Lordi]

I notice you mainly use imp. So 18k=11m and 32k=20m. (Running pace looks really great when shown as mins/km rather than as mins/mile though!)

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Lordi]

Thanks. I am doing 18miles tomorrow then next week will do a shorter one. I have the Cardiff Half on 6th October which I feel more than ready for then the Yorkshire Marathon on 20th October. Have train tickets for Cardiff already and train tickets for York arrived today. I had the same problem as you following a plan which is why although I did 16miles and 18.26 miles on the treadmill I wasn't really ready for the Brighton marathon in April but I am proud of the fact that I gave it a go and did 13miles. I am more confident that I will complete the Yorkshire Marathon even if I have to walk it. Look out for the race report later tomorrow