All things considered, training is going well. I did have some knee pain a couple of weeks ago that felt like a re-inflamation of my IT Band, but that seems to have disappeared after some concentrated stretching. I ran a 20 miler on Saturday at the pace I had intended and outside of some sore quadraceps I feel pretty good. As well, Spring is on the horizion which elevates the mood of any runner who has had to slog through Winter.
As of today, it is exactly 5 weeks to Boston and I am trying to finalize the rest of my training. The one thing that is forefront in my mind is a 25K race this weekend. I am of two minds as to run it or not. Essentially, it is a risk vs. reward kind of thing. The reward would be a real good gauge of my fitness heading into Boston, the risk is the potential to injure myself. Anyone with any thoughts around running a 25K race 4 weeks out from your goal?
5 comments:
I think your answer might be in the title of your post. If you're still stiff and sore, a 25K might not be a good idea. You'd have to (more or less) taper this week, then you'll have to recuperate next week. There's a recuperation scale out there that suggests a day off for every mile of racing. According to this scale you would lose at least 10 days to the race recup. By that time you'll be into your Boston taper and will be six weeks removed from your most recent 20-miler. I know that there are plans that recommend a hard half in the final third of a training plan, but this one might be a little too close for comfort to your real target.
But maybe I'm projecting. I've been struggling with a flu and sinus infection for two weeks now, and I couldn't imagine running a hard 15-miler at this stage. Sure, I might be able to put in a good time, but I have no idea what it would take out of me. I think the same goes for you. I have no doubt that you'd run a great race. The aftermath, however, is the big if.
OK, I wrote all that, then read your Twitter that your plan is to run it at marathon pace. I think that approach works, as long as you can resist the temptation to go rocket. And, unlike a normal tempo run, you get a new shirt.
I am still considering both sides of the equation. I know I have a propensity to get caught up in the moment and could very well get sucked into running harder than I should.... so I may skip.
Sage advice by the way.
From your twitter link to Higdon:
Tip of the Week: Too much racing can compromise your marathon training. In the CARA Marathon Training Class in Chicago, we used to recommend that students race no more than three out of the 18 weekends at distances between 10-K and 25-K. Now we don't recommend any racing out of fear of injury. Races, nevertheless, can help you determine your fitness level and help select you predict marathon pace. Here's a handy formula for predicting marathon time. Multiply your 10-K time by 4.66. (For instance, 40:00 for 10-K predicts 3:06:40 for the marathon.) First-timers, however, should take a more conservative approach and multiply 10-K time by a factor of 5. (For instance, 50:00 for 10-K predicts 4:10 for the marathon.) By choosing the more conservative formula, and starting more slowly, you're less likely to hit the wall.
good luck with your decision! :)
Tough choice, sage advice. I'm sure you'll do what's best for you, anyway. But isn't the warmer weather a God-send?
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