Distance or Time?

Hi

I went through a similar thing about this time 3 years ago while preparing for London marathon. What i did was to forecast my finishing time (using my 10k race times) and then add some.. that way i could see that i was due to finish in around 3hrs 15.. Now the one thing that i did not account for was 1) the course 2) the numbers of runners 3) the excitment of the day itself.

I live in an area of Yorkshire where you can't go for more than a mile without hitting some kind of gradient. I knew that London was a pretty flat course so i expected to be able to run a marathon at a similar pace to what i could do a local hilly 1/2 marathon. Basically i therefore build up the time that i would run from 1.5hrs up to 3hrs peaking with 2 x 3hr runs about 3 weeks before the big day. Using a cycle computer i estimated the distance travelled at about 22 miles which i thought a reasonable amount for training. I would have thought that running for an appropriate time (as long as it is at the pace you are going to run the marathon in with) is just as good as distance measuring.

On the day itself i went off too fast - drank far too much and had to stop for the toilet about every couple of miles and generally went completely against any planning i had done. Finishing with a time of 4hrs.. very disapointing but at least i know better for next time.

Hoping to run the Nottingham marathon in September this year, so i'm going to give it another shot and hopefully get closer to my estimates!

Good luck

Dom 8)

Hi, Dom:

Thanks for your response. I guess in the absence of exact distances, running for the approximate amount of time at your target pace has to be better than nothing.

You provided some good insight into 'day of the race' obstacles, too. I'll be sure not to overload on the water.

I'm looking into a speed-distance-monitor so I can just run, and the device will let me know when I should turn around. But I don't know anyone who has one, and as they're a little pricey, I want to make sure I'm not paying for features I don't need, etc.

Thanks for responding, Dom. Good luck to you.

Betty

Pedometers can be reasonably accurate or inaccurate accordig to your style and terrain. But with practice they'll be much better than a guess!
When I was training for London I used to get wife to drive me out for the required number of miles and then I would run home by the same route!

Great idea Weezer....
...unless you get lost!

Wheezer,

That *is* a great idea! I just have to find someone to do that for me, and like Secret Weapon said, make sure I don't get lost.

I was thinking of buying the Nike TRIAX watch with the 'tailwind' pedometer that you put on your shoe. The tailwind module is supposed to transmit pace and distance to the watch for an easy readout. Does anyone own this type of device or have any feedback (+ or -) about it?

Thanks.
Betty

Hi, Coach:

Thanks for the advice. I guess I was getting wrapped around having to go the exact distance. I just needed verification of what feels intuitively correct: that in the absence of a set course, running for a prescribed time is better than nothing.

As my training moves into week two of your suggested program, I'm finding more courses to run. But I have to tell you, that marathon circuit you suggest for endurance and strength: It's a killer! My two male training partners have already thrown in the towel (and neither of them completed 3 circuits before quitting!).

Thanks so much for the advice, and your great website. I (and the Sailors I work with) benefit so much from the information you provide.

Betty