What does the long run in marathon training give you?

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Shin-Twigs Feb 2012 6:22pm, 9 Feb 2012 3,070 posts	0 Shin-Twigs Apart from a cold nose? I have always followed a traditional program of running progressively longer runs in marathon training (with step back weeks) and a taper. My life has changed quite a lot recently and it means that I can't follow a conventional plan and I am struggling to get long runs in. Am doing Brighton mara, but at moment I have not managed many long runs, 1 15 miler. Weather doesn't help. I have been running regularly and am now up to 5 runs per week which I am trying to do as 1 x steady, 1 x interval, 1 x easy, 1 x tempo and 1 x long. However I am going to struggle to make my long runs longer than 13 miles. Should I pitch up for a 20 miler 3 weeks before, slog it out and then taper, whilst maintaining up until then this regime? Or is there no point in the 20? Some advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Slowboy Feb 2012 7:01pm, 9 Feb 2012 6,811 posts	0 Slowboy Maybe give up the idea of the marathon and concentrate on improving yout 5k/10k/10 mile/HM times? Or - do what you can do, rock up at the marathon and see what happens. Then if things continue such that you can't do long runs, you'll know that either (a) you can run a marathon off no long runs (and this may well be possible, RooA did so with Coniston trail marathon) or (b) you can't, and can replan your goals around that fact.
ChrisHB Feb 2012 7:08pm, 9 Feb 2012 7,181 posts	0 ChrisHB Just gets your mind used to the notion that you can still run when you're tired, and very tired, and extremely tired and a bit stiff and sore. IMO.
wildebeast Feb 2012 7:10pm, 9 Feb 2012 19 posts	0 wildebeast how about a 10 one day with an 8 (or insert appropriate distance) the next day it gives you 2 hard days together which wont be the same as 1 18 miler but will be better than no long runs at all good luck
Fenland Runner Feb 2012 7:10pm, 9 Feb 2012 12,156 posts	0 Fenland Runner According to P&D the long run helps build more in quantity mitochondria and also more efficient mitochondria.
Shin-Twigs Feb 2012 9:56pm, 9 Feb 2012 3,071 posts	0 Shin-Twigs thanks guys. like the idea of 2 long (ish) runs together. i've run this week 8.5, 3, 7, 4, 5 and tomorrow will do 10-12 so will have a pretty high mileage week (for me). will see how this goes for the next few weeks.
Gobi Feb 2012 11:07pm, 9 Feb 2012 46,298 posts	0 Gobi Sorry but a 10 and 8 does not = the value of an 18