So, why the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Arizona?
- Are you not paying attention? $10 off!
- It’s a flat course.
- It’s at an elevation that’s roughly 4,000 feet lower than where I train.
- It’s in January, which means all my long training runs can take place in the cooler, winter months. I’ve struggled with some of my long runs in the heat this past summer and I’m not dedicated enough to get up early on the weekends and start running prior to 10:30 am.
- The marathon takes place on my Father-In-Law’s birthday providing me with the ultimate excuse to miss his party. (Actually, he’s going to be in Scottsdale for the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction which means I might even be able to convince him to watch my kids while I run, and maybe buy them their first car.)
- I’ve been saving myself for the right marathon, and this is it.
- Finally, $10 off! You just can’t pass up a deal that good.
As most of you probably know I’ve been a big fan of the FIRST plan for some time now and I’m planning on using it again to train for this marathon in January. The FIRST people actually offer two different training plans for marathon runners; one that is for marathon virgins like myself, and one that is for people looking to improve their marathon time. Obviously the first timer’s training plan is the one I qualify for and it is probably the gentler of the two, but it only has me doing one 20 mile long run, while the other plan has five 20 milers over a 16 week span. So my question is this: Is it enough to only run one 20 miler before the race? Shouldn’t I be doing more? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
By the way, you should prepare yourselves for lots of questions like this over the next few months, and probably for lots of whining and complaining too. Right now, I’m brimming with confidence and enthusiasm about this marathon, but I’m sure it will soon give way to pessimism, self-doubt, and a defeatist attitude. For example, the day after I signed up for the marathon I went out for a 10 mile run and logged the worst pace that I’ve seen all year. Oh crap! What have I done?
Well, congratulations on shitting and not getting off the pot.
ReplyDeleteSave the pessimism, self doubt and defeatism for the distance between mile marker 19 and 20 which, by my calculations, seems to be roughly 5.7 miles apart.
Like...noses, everyone has an opinion. I did 2 20 milers before my first mary and always try to do 2 at least. But then I like the mental confidence boost that comes with it.
Best of luck. can't wait to read all about it...and ridicule when necessary.
As soon as I finished singing up for the Detroit Marathon back in April I thought, "What have I done?" It's only natural, as is the subsequent whining and bitching and moaning. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about Nimos's strategy of Positive Pessimism!
Oh, and the Barrett-Jackson auction? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA! By "buy [your kids] their first car" I can only assume you mean "buy 'them' a car that only I get to drive. They can ride in the passenger seat."
I'd love to give you pointers. Oh, here's one:
ReplyDeleteDon't get injured. It sucks.
My sister is trying to convince me to go down and run this race. That's a lot of time and money devoted to putting myself through hell. Good luck in your training!
Wahoooooo! Btw, my longest run for my first marathon was 18 miles, though I didn't come close to beating 4 hours and still haven't. Thanks for reminding me about that.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my 2 cents is that one 20-miler is fine, and do another if you're feeling saucy.
P.S. This is for Viper, whom I am sure will put in an appearance if he's not busy ruining (or improving) his taper with copious amounts of alcohol:
ReplyDeleteI'M, SO, SO SORRY...I have betrayed your trust after all. *sniff*
One 20-miler is totally sufficient before a marathon. However, if it'll make you feel better to sneak another one in to the plan? Then do it.
ReplyDeleteNothing to add in terms of wisdom, but here's hoping you enjoy the journey and run a fast first/last marathon!
ReplyDeleteI've been using the FIRST plan (for my first marathon) with the 5-20 milers but am only going to do 2 of those. 1 down and 1 to go. You'll survive if you roll with the harder one (I have so far LMAO) but you might have to tweak it a bit.
ReplyDeleteDayum that should be a good time homie. Lots of bloggers in that neck of the woods. Be careful Java (Lisa) will probably stalk you like no one's business LMAO!
@Sarah - Leaving comments on my blog that are intended for Viper??? You have betrayed my trust too.
ReplyDeleteThe key to the 20-miler is to do it as part of a 40 mile week, and then taper and rest until the marathon. You'll be fine. First time marathon is a great experience - except for while you are running the last 1/2.
ReplyDeleteYeah - fun. You'll be fine. Just mock yourself to death and it will be great!
ReplyDeleteThat marathon looks like a great first one. I am sure you can figure out a way to combine the two training plans. That's 80% of the fun of training, right? -- playing with training schedules. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteFor my first marathon, I did a Hal Higdon novice program with just one 20 miler. My goal was to finish it, and I did. I'm using the tougher FIRST now for marathon #2, which, as Marcy said, calls for 5 - of which I did 4.
ReplyDeleteSince you are not going to be satisfied with just finishing, I think you need a tougher plan. Do the harder FIRST plan, and do at least 2 20 milers to build your confidence, but feel free to knock down the rest to 18 or so.
All of this is, of course, just my opinion.
I knew you'd pony up and run a marathon one of these days. That's great!
ReplyDeleteA 20 mile run is enough. It won't hurt to do a longer run, but 20 miles will get you to the finish line with no problem whatsoever.
I knew you'd pony up and run a marathon one of these days. That's great!
ReplyDeleteA 20 mile run is enough. It won't hurt to do a longer run, but 20 miles will get you to the finish line with no problem whatsoever.
Awesome! That marathon is a fun race too! I used to run marathons with only one 18+ run. I was always right around, but never under 4 hours. Last marathon I ran at least 5 18+ and 2 20 milers and got under 4 hours finally. A lot of it was confidence for me. I remember after one of my 20 milers I felt like I could 'easily' run 6 more. That definately made a difference. Good luck and have fun!
ReplyDeleteOMG! This will make great winter reading. When I am all done I can train vicariously thru you.
ReplyDeleteIf your goal was to just finish one 20 miler would be fine, but if you are looking for a time, I would add at least one more. They may not physically make that much of a difference, but they do help mentally.
Way to Nike up Ian.
ReplyDeleteOh good. Now you get to experience the "OCWHID" phenomenon that I have over the past several months (OhCrapWhatHaveIDone). There's no feeling in the world quite like OCWHID. Enjoy, sucka!
ReplyDeleteOye, training over the holidays! Now that's hardcore. Many wishes for a safe and happy train!
ReplyDeletesigning up is the first of may steps to completing your first, congrats! one 20 is fine, but you could do two.
ReplyDeletecongrats on signing up!! that is SO exciting! i did 2 20 milers for my marathon and i was glad i did, just for the confidence boost.
ReplyDeletei would definitely not do 5 20-milers for your first marathon. in my humble opinion... that's just a really stupid idea. if it's your first time running that long of a distance, it's just going to make you tired and burn you out, and then you won't be in the peak condition that you HOPE :) to be on marathon day. i would do 2 20-milers.
ReplyDeleteTHAT is exciting. Not stupid. Exciting! Just 3.5 months of intense training and THEN you get to taper. Tapering is the best part.
ReplyDeleteThink about that when you're on the long runs...
"i'm one step closer to tapering!!"
can't wait to follow your success!
Well, with that timing, you can combine the holiday stress and the peak of your marathon training into one hair-tearing-out experience. Dec 15-30 should be grand entertainment on our end.
ReplyDeleteBah. you can do it!
ReplyDeleteIf simply finishing is your goal, the FIRST plan with only one 20 miler will be fine!
Nice! It's funny how the more you run, the less scary a marathon becomes. My first marathon, Denver2006, the furthest long run I did was a 19 miler, I couldn't even finish my planned 20 mile run.
ReplyDeleteI'd try to get in two 20 Milers if you can, the psychological boost is often greater than the physiological boost.
Also, the Denver Half should give you a better idea of your predicted race performance. The problem with using your 5k time is that it shows that you have the speed to run sub 4, but you have to have the endurance in order for the calculation to hold true.
Best of luck!
"Maggs said...
ReplyDeleteAwesome! That marathon is a fun race too!"
aw Maggs your sweet, however that optimism stuff is short lived here :)
I'm super excited for you babe- and I'm more excited for October 20th when I will be training for a 5k and you well.... a lot longer.
hahahahahahahahahahahaha- I mean um... I'm just here to support you honey. (that's what I'm supposed to say right :))
Oh sweet Jesus. What have you done?
ReplyDeleteI ended up doing a 20-miler and a 23-miler before my first marathon, thanks to poor trail markings and my lack of a garmin. The LONG ass 23-miler was a mixed blessing. My legs felt dead for a week after, but during the marathon itself I only had 3.2 miles of "never run this far" territory to contend with. I think you'll know by the time you approach the upper teens whether you feel confident doing 20 or if you want to push it.
ReplyDeleteOh and congrats on your decision!
I did two 20s for my first marathon and I am so glad I did more than one. The first one was brutal, but the second one felt so much better that my confidence was waaay boosted.
ReplyDeleteAlso? I ran the half at Phoenix last year and I was thinking that marathon would be a great one to do if you have a time goal. It is totally flat, the weather was perfect (50s and sunny). Of course, the year before it was like 25. Oh and the other sorta nice part is that a lot of slow people do the RnR races - I ran a 2:13 half and was still in the top half of finishers... And to boot I thought the whole race was well organized...
Congrats on signing up. That is the first step!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good race for me to run. I like flat course and I hate heat! The plane ticket is the sucky part. Maybe another year?!
But I would suggest following the plan that you have and then if you feel that it's too easy, go ahead and do more 20 milers.
WOOHOO!! I get to meet Vanilla! I mean you do want to meet me, right?!? LOL
ReplyDeleteHmm... I've actually been toying with signing up for the 1/2 in Arizona, mostly because I can do the one in SJ and maybe get one of those cool metals they give out to people who do more than 1 of their races.
ReplyDeleteUnless I have to do 3. That might be tough to fit around my drinking schedule.
You finally succumbed. Sweet baby jesus! I think it's a sign of the apocalypse.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading about your pain... er... I mean training. Good luck.
I have Disney the weekend before, where I get to meet Christine. Maybe I'll sign up for RNR and turn the month of January into "RBF meetup month"!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited you signed up - you will love marathoning :)
First of all - dont even worry about it - you are gonna rock 26.2!
ReplyDeleteSecond, about the 20's. From what I have heard, one 20 miler is recommended for 1) new runners 2) runners who frequently run long distances 3) runners who accumulate a lot of mileage during the week 4) runners who have injuries and/or are injury prone.
2 20's (or maybe more) are recommended for 1) tough courses (hills/altitute/etc) 2) those looking to beat and/or meet a specific time 3) those training for long periods (e.g. over 6mo).
But I think you gotta go with your gut instinct. Most people I know do 1 20, but I dont know any truly "competitive" marathoners and everyone I know does the easiest courses (I live in Chicago)
You're not going to listen to anyone so go ahead and do what you want! ;)
ReplyDeleteMost folks would say aim to finish for the first one but I don't see you having that aim somehow.
Congrats on registering, and hey, I'm with you on the whole $10 dollar off situation! :) Good luck on getting your father in law to watch the kids, and on your training!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your triumph over comitophobia. My two cents opinion is that you should do one 18-miler, one 20-miler, and then have a third 18 miler that can be converted to a 20-miler if you feel up to it three weeks out.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's about time! Congrats. I did one 20-miler for my first marathon and got through it. But I would encourage two.
ReplyDeleteI won't be running this marathon, but I may come to spectate. I'm sure I'd see you out there, and I'll give you a cheer.
ReplyDeleteI've done 6 marathons, and I think I have done 1 total 20 mile run. I was a little worried, but still ran well enough to qualify for Boston. I'm a big fan of doing as little as possible.
Good luck with the training. You're going to love Phoenix in January.
Been lurking here for a while now, but decided THIS is the post I HAD to comment on.
ReplyDeleteI only started running in April when I drank the Team-In-Training Kool-Aid and signed up for both a century bike ride and a full marathon.
Since getting kicked off the TNT team (not meeting fundraising min), I've been using the Smart Coach plan from Runner's World, which prescribes two 20s and lots of dreaded speedwork.
I'm running the Portland Marathon in 2.5 weeks and can honestly say that training for this event has made me hate running quite intensely. Luckily it'll all be over soon and I can reclaim my weekends, grieve the loss of 5 of my toenails, and get back to the gym where I apparently left my waistline.
I CAN NOT WAIT to watch how this training unfolds for you. I sincerely hope it's nothing at all like mine.
Best of luck!
Welcome to marathon life - it's not as bad as some folks make it out to be. And in other ways, it's much worse.
ReplyDeleteTrain smartly, work hard, think positive, and have fun!
ah gawd, even you?
ReplyDeleteSoon I will be the only loser left.