Baltimore Marathon

[marathoner452]

I'm going to run the Baltimore Marathon and the NCR Trail Marathon this fall. Yes, they're 6 weeks apart. Yes, Baltimore is hilly. Yes, I haven't run a marathon in 2 1/2 years. Yes, I'm graduating from college in 20 days and who knows where I'll be after that, and how easy it'll be to train at whatever job I find. I don't care about any of that. I'm going to do it. I'm mentoring with TNT this season so I'll have a group to do my long runs with. I have the advantage of knowing what I'm getting into hills-wise, having run the Baltimore 1/2 last year. I know the NCR Trail is pancake-flat and my best chance for a 4 hour marathon right now, and darn it, I want the red Under Armour Baltimore Marathon shirt. I want the stares of envy and the gasps of fear when people line up behind me in races.

And I'm going to train for my races using the Pfitz 18/55 training schedule. Yeah, that's a peak of 55 miles a week and the most I've ever done is 42.3 and that unintentionally. There's no time like right now to commit myself to the toughest training I've ever done and see what I'm made of. There'll be no "downgrading" from the full to the half like I did last year. I'm going to redeem myself. It's put up or shut up time.

~Bethany

Comments

[clmcormick.livejournal.com]

Now that's determination my friend. Good luck to you...I know you can do it. got a link for that training schedule?? do share.

I'm in the same mind frame as you...no time like the present to go all out and train like there's no tomorrow.

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's a link to the Pfitz programs online, but you can find them in Advanced Marathoning. That's a book every serious marathoner should have, IMO.

~Bethany

[clmcormick.livejournal.com]

Then I'd have to classify myself as serious in order to buy that, huh? heh Just picking...

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

Hee hee. It's a very useful, inspiring and intimidating book. In the first chapter it says something like if you have a marathon goal beyond just finishing, you should read their book. I'd define that as serious. Training for a marathon is tough enough without setting a time goal.

But geez, a mid-week medium long run of 12 miles? Am I THAT serious? I guess I'll find out...

~Bethany

[clmcormick.livejournal.com]

Then I guess I need that book. I've got a time goal for my first marathon. Yes, I just want to finish it, but damn it'd be awesome to have a great time, too.

[annerism.livejournal.com]

Go go go! You can do that, no problem. I wouldn't even stress about the two marathons, with 6 weeks between them. Baltimore will be your challenege, and then the NCR trail will be cake by comparison.

I'm sure you can meet your goal with that training schedule!

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

The way I see it, Baltimore will be a challenge, but the NCRTM will be the true PR effort. I mostly want to redeem myself for dropping back to the 1/2 marathon at Baltimore last year. As smart of a decision that was, I feel a bit unfulfilled having not run the full marathon.
Thanks!

~Bethany

[annerism.livejournal.com]

That's how I did it my first time. I just wanted to train for and finish Baltimore, but then I PR'd in MCM.
I thought of Baltimore as a long training run, and a test of my readiness.

Has anyone pointed out Hal Higdon's multiple marathon training plans yet?
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/multiple/Multiplemara.htm

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

That looks a little more sane than Pfitz's multiple marathons schedules. It's a lighter on the mileage and heavier on the recovery. My biggest concern with the multiple marathons is getting injured after the first by returning to training too quickly afterwards. I need more recovery than Pfitz suggests, from my experience, so I need a training program that won't push me over the top.
Thanks!

~Bethany

Quite impressive!

[kat1982l.livejournal.com]

The Under Armour sounds badass!

You can sure as heck do it!

Good luck with training,

Katie

Re: Quite impressive!

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

It's not the UA so much as what it represents-toughness over hills, not giving up despite hard training through a hot summer. 'Cause I did give up on the marathon last year, no matter how smart of a decision that was.
Plus, they have a expo. complete with a discounted UA tent. If I run the marathon, maybe I can justify buying more running clothes. :p

~Bethany