How has training REALLY gone?
7 watchers
10:01am
10:01am, 12 Mar 2025
63,616 posts
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EvilPixie
[ I believe user1 was auctioned off? And 2 was a test user] I did the virtual LM in 2020 having forgotten I’d entered and I believe my longest run was in single figures. I also did a triathlon relay marathon in 10 days notice with a longest run of 14m in May for a July race. Marathons are in the head as much as the body and I’m very slow and stubborn! |
11:23am
11:23am, 12 Mar 2025
74,181 posts
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Velociraptor
I've survived marathons off barely any training. None of those marathons were fast or pretty. I've also underperformed and once failed to finish a marathon due to unforeseen circumstances despite a decent training block. It's a capricious distance. My last really good (for me) marathon performance came off a block in which my three longest runs were 30km, 14 miles (both races) and 15 miles, but I did lots of 10-13 mile training runs and a fair amount of cross training. |
12:06pm
12:06pm, 12 Mar 2025
551 posts
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SilentTim
These stories are all making me feel better about myself, thank you 😂 To be fair, as you know @Velociraptor , my previous attempts were all off relatively little training. This time round, I'm actually doing fairly well and being consistent. My mileage at this point of the year is higher than any other year in the 17 years I've been running. Just a bit concerned I've not done an 18 or 20 yet, but they're both coming up, so perhaps I shouldn't worry! So far I've got four 13s and a 16, plus hopefully a 15 this weekend. From my perspective, it's not too bad, just need to give my head a wobble sometimes!! |
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12:07pm
12:07pm, 12 Mar 2025
552 posts
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SilentTim
Excellent use of "capricious" too! Will confess I had to look that one up!!
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12:10pm
12:10pm, 12 Mar 2025
7,591 posts
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paulcook
Velociraptor wrote: It's a capricious distance. but I did lots a fair amount of cross training. Running and long runs, etc, aside, there's a good reward for doing either cross training or mental training or both as part of any training block, but particularly longer distances. They might not replace long runs if your body ain't ready to run the distances, but both cross training (and/or strengthening, etc) and mental training can help in different ways. |
12:28pm
12:28pm, 12 Mar 2025
1,474 posts
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monki
@SilentTim If you haven't already - read The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters. It explains in really simple terms why you are feeling the way you are, why what others are / are not doing is largely irrelevant, and what to do about it. In short - beating yourself up for not running to plan is not helpful (you already know that comparing yourself to the people who make money off making you unhappy is not helpful). Your only concern should be to do your best with the energy and situation you have on the day. Give your best, not do your best. Some days maybe good, some days maybe shit. Showing up is the hardest thing. Some runs are less effort than others. Etc., (As an aside, I've run 10 marathons - the only time I cried before the event is when I followed more of training plan and so knew I would PB on the day. But others - on a get round basis - I've done all sorts, including only doing one run a week. Irrespective of the training plan crying after is pretty much guaranteed). |
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1:25pm
1:25pm, 12 Mar 2025
554 posts
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SilentTim
Thank you, that's really solid advice!!! Ultimately, I think there's so much advice on here and other places. It's all very well meaning, but when it really comes down to it, you're right, it's just you against you and you can only do what you can do on the day. Re the crying thing, I'm exactly the same. Cried after all three. Two out of disappointment, one because I was happy with a PB. Let's hope it's happy tears after this next one too!! |
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1:53pm
1:53pm, 12 Mar 2025
74,185 posts
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Velociraptor
I've never cried at the end of a race 
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2:08pm
2:08pm, 12 Mar 2025
4,743 posts
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cackleberry
I cried at the end of my 200 mile race last year - but I think that is allowed. Once upon a time, I was fit enough to pull off a respectable trail/fell marathon with 1.5 days notice. Not currently in that state. |
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2:55pm
2:55pm, 12 Mar 2025
7,592 posts
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paulcook
I was probably on the verge of tears (of relief more than anything else) when I defeated the beast from the east in the Hardmoors 55, 2018 edition.
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