Run Run Away

Question:

IMO, the 20-mile training run is harder than doing the marathon. There is no starting line camaraderie; no adrenaline rush when the gun goes off; no cheering spectators; nobody to pace with or talk to; no fluid or relief stations; nothing to think about except where you are on the route and how many miles there are to go.

I agree.  Besides prepping your body for the distance, your mind gets set up for the challenge.  The most significant factor for me is the lack of others to run with – not to talk to (I never talk to the others in a race) but just to pace alongside – someone to "catch" or follow, or a nice girl to study carefully (even my wife encourages that!).  The loneliness of the long run can get to you. — Lorne Sundby

Response:

Congrats to you! I’m glad you posted this info as my group is going on eh 20 this weekend before starting the taper period. Good luck in prepping for the marathon (especially if it is the Chicago one – see you there – !!!) Gregory

Nope, I’m a week ahead of you and 300 miles east, and will be running the Detroit Marathon on Oct. 6. Come on over and use it as a tuneup for Chicago .   Doug

Response:

I agree!  I ran my 20 mile training run this morning, and I found the same thing.  The crowds, etc, in the marathon gave me a lot to think about besides the distance I was running.

Training is easier.  The noise from the crowds is painful.  I don’t mean good or bad or distateful or anything, I mean literally painful, as is all sound beyond 75 dB or so after around 10 miles.

Response:

Congrats to you! I’m glad you posted this info as my group is going on eh 20 this weekend before starting the taper period. Good luck in prepping for the marathon (especially if it is the Chicago one – see you there – !!!) Gregory

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In my first two marathons, I was never able to do my 20-mile training run due to minor injuries and other factors, but this year I have stayed in good shape and was finally able to do it. IMO, the 20-mile training run is harder than doing the marathon. There is no starting line camaraderie; no adrenaline rush when the gun goes off; no cheering spectators; nobody to pace with or talk to; no fluid or relief stations; nothing to think about except where you are on the route and how many miles there are to go. Anyway, it all went pretty well and I feel that I am in really good condition for the marathon in three weeks. I started right at 6AM since I actually like running in the dark, and I finished 3:40 later. The only problem I had was that my ankles and calves were getting sore for no obvious reason. Then I realized that I had forgotten to put in my orthotics. They give you a bit of a heel lift, and after running with them for three years I’m not surprised that I felt a difference without them. This actually could be good in the long run — maybe stretched out a few things for me. To put this in context, I am 56 and ran my first marathon at 53. I really only have one pace for long runs, and hope to do the marathon at about an 11:00 pace, which would improve me about 10 minutes over last year. I’m ready for the "taper" and the race!   Doug

Response:

I can imagine how hard it must be. The longest I’ve ever run was 17, with a friend, and that was hard enough. charlie —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In my first two marathons, I was never able to do my 20-mile training run due to minor injuries and other factors, but this year I have stayed in good shape and was finally able to do it. IMO, the 20-mile training run is harder than doing the marathon. There is no starting line camaraderie; no adrenaline rush when the gun goes off; no cheering spectators; nobody to pace with or talk to; no fluid or relief stations; nothing to think about except where you are on the route and how many miles there are to go. Anyway, it all went pretty well and I feel that I am in really good condition for the marathon in three weeks. I started right at 6AM since I actually like running in the dark, and I finished 3:40 later. The only problem I had was that my ankles and calves were getting sore for no obvious reason. Then I realized that I had forgotten to put in my orthotics. They give you a bit of a heel lift, and after running with them for three years I’m not surprised that I felt a difference without them. This actually could be good in the long run — maybe stretched out a few things for me. To put this in context, I am 56 and ran my first marathon at 53. I really only have one pace for long runs, and hope to do the marathon at about an 11:00 pace, which would improve me about 10 minutes over last year. I’m ready for the "taper" and the race!   Doug

Response:

DougG wrote : IMO, the 20-mile training run is harder than doing the marathon.

I agree!  I ran my 20 mile training run this morning, and I found the same thing.  The crowds, etc, in the marathon gave me a lot to think about besides the distance I was running. I’m ready for the "taper" and the race!

Oh, I hear you on that!  I have one more real long run, and then my taper starts.  I’m really ready for the decreased mileage. Good luck with your training and in the race! marisa

Response:

That 3.40 time sounds pretty good to me. IMHO those lonely, lengthy sessions are as much about mental preparation as physical. I did my first 20 miler yesterday – the first 12 on my own and the last 8 with our club. The last eight – at a faster pace, too — were the easiest. The people factor, I suppose. Jonathan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In my first two marathons, I was never able to do my 20-mile training run due to minor injuries and other factors, but this year I have stayed in good shape and was finally able to do it. IMO, the 20-mile training run is harder than doing the marathon. There is no starting line camaraderie; no adrenaline rush when the gun goes off; no cheering spectators; nobody to pace with or talk to; no fluid or relief stations; nothing to think about except where you are on the route and how many miles there are to go. Anyway, it all went pretty well and I feel that I am in really good condition for the marathon in three weeks. I started right at 6AM since I actually like running in the dark, and I finished 3:40 later. The only problem I had was that my ankles and calves were getting sore for no obvious reason. Then I realized that I had forgotten to put in my orthotics. They give you a bit of a heel lift, and after running with them for three years I’m not surprised that I felt a difference without them. This actually could be good in the long run — maybe stretched out a few things for me. To put this in context, I am 56 and ran my first marathon at 53. I really only have one pace for long runs, and hope to do the marathon at about an 11:00 pace, which would improve me about 10 minutes over last year. I’m ready for the "taper" and the race!   Doug

Response:

In my first two marathons, I was never able to do my 20-mile training run due to minor injuries and other factors, but this year I have stayed in good shape and was finally able to do it. IMO, the 20-mile training run is harder than doing the marathon. There is no starting line camaraderie; no adrenaline rush when the gun goes off; no cheering spectators; nobody to pace with or talk to; no fluid or relief stations; nothing to think about except where you are on the route and how many miles there are to go. Anyway, it all went pretty well and I feel that I am in really good condition for the marathon in three weeks. I started right at 6AM since I actually like running in the dark, and I finished 3:40 later. The only problem I had was that my ankles and calves were getting sore for no obvious reason. Then I realized that I had forgotten to put in my orthotics. They give you a bit of a heel lift, and after running with them for three years I’m not surprised that I felt a difference without them. This actually could be good in the long run — maybe stretched out a few things for me. To put this in context, I am 56 and ran my first marathon at 53. I really only have one pace for long runs, and hope to do the marathon at about an 11:00 pace, which would improve me about 10 minutes over last year. I’m ready for the "taper" and the race!   Doug

Response: