I feel like I say this in every post, but life has been insanely crazy these past few months. Now generally I am a pretty good juggler of tasks and usually find/make the time to "choose me", which means I make time for running.
But because work has been crazy (with lots of fun and exciting projects that I am really looking forward to working on), and I have been spending more time at the YMCA making other people workout, my running has taken a back seat (more like it is stuffed in the very back, deepest part of the trunk) to everything else. Clearly, I had some unrealistic expectations at the beginning of the year.
The thing is, I really need to re-prioritize and make time for running. Especially since I have the Stockholm Marathon coming up on June 2nd, and would really like to run another one in May.
So the question is - do you think I can train for a marathon in 9 weeks? I don't just want to run to finish it, I want to run it. You know, and maybe BQ.
And it is not that I haven't been running lately, I just haven't been running as much as I would like. Typically I've been getting in 3 solid-ish runs per week, intermixed with anywhere from 3-5 sessions of weights/cross-training.
Advice is welcome and if you want to be my coach, that is even better. Clearly I need someone to be accountable to...
Yeeeah. It sounds like one of those "could you try? sure. is it advisable? eh, probably not" things. It doesn't give you any room for error, injury, recovery, or building up slowly. I am attempting a BQ in 3 weeks. But I set out 15 weeks ago training for a BQ from day one. I've used the last 9 weeks alone to practice my mental skills (positive self-talk, pushing myself to go faster at the end of a few long runs, using mantras, pushing through difficult training sessions, building my confidence, etc). Honestly, the confidence is going to be a huge thing this time around. I didn't have that at my last BQ attempt. You can't rush confidence.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Karen. You could do it, but BQing might stress your system out even more.
ReplyDeleteI know a good online coach based here in Chicago if you want a recommendation!
I think that yes - you can really run a marathon in 9 weeks, but I'm not so sure on a BQ. That being said I don't know squat about BQ'ing! For all we know race day will be freaking amazing and everything will go BQ perfect. I say go for it, but stay safe...
ReplyDeleteI went from fairly low miles {less than 10 per week} to an amazing, faster than expected long run pace 15 mile run in just 6 weeks...so if you have a solid base I think covering the distance in a fairly respectable time is do-able. And when I say respectable, I mean respectable for you...not slow me! ;)
I think you give up now - you are trained as much as you ever will. start the taper now and sit back and eat potato chips until june... ;)
ReplyDeleteYes - definitely do able! With your running background & current activity I think 9 weeks is actually a good thing. These super long "in training" for 14 - 16+ week schedules can even be a recipe for burnout. Get quality workouts in for 6 weeks give or take & taper for a May marathon.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'm no expert, but it sounds good to me. :-) BTW, my vote is Lake Wobegon Trail. I still have this thought in the deep, dark corners of brain that I want to run it this year. The logistics don't really work for it though. I definitely want to do it at some point.
I should add I'm assuming you're hitting good base mileage already. Obviously I don't think 9 weeks is enough time to go from barely running to marathon. You know yourself & your body though. If you start training & realize a strong May marathon just isn't going to happen I think you'll know. GL!
Delete9 weeks is really 7 once you take out the taper period and 7 weeks of hard speed work probably won't cut it for a BQ. You could run it for sure, but running for speed might not be the best plan...but what do I know? Maybe your body would love a compressed training plan and blow your time out of the water. I've heard of stranger things. :)
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