Did this 20 count?

I went out today to run 20 miles in preparation for the Shiprock Marathon on May 5th.

The first 16 miles were glorious. I was running incredibly even splits, a few seconds per mile ahead of my goal pace, and feeling great.

Then, without notice or reason, it felt like someone kicked me in the back of the left leg about six inches up from the bottom of my foot (I sprained the ankle on this foot back in September). I walked some, stretched some, walked some more, stretched some more, and was able to finish at a very slow jog (12-13 min miles the last four miles).

I feel fine now, so don't think there was any damage.

However, what does this mean for my marathon training? Should I:

a. count this as my 20 mile run and consider myself ready, abstaining from any other runs of this distance. Maybe do some speed work between now and race day?

b. try another 20 mile run next monday (my LSD day) to try and make it the whole way

c. try another 20 mile run in two weeks after I have had some time to rest,

d. quit stressing about it.

Greg

Wait, you ran 16 at goal MP? And you're 4 weeks out? I'd say you're golden. If you feel better next Monday, another 20 won't hurt. It's not necessary, though.

I don't really like the concept of a run "counting" or "not counting". But I do think another 20-mile run would be beneficial before your taper - I should still think so if your training run had been perfect. I wouldn't try to run it fast so close to the race though.

one more at MP+30-45 sec.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Wait, you ran 16 at goal MP? And you're 4 weeks out? I'd say you're golden. If you feel better next Monday, another 20 won't hurt. It's not necessary, though.

I think he's just saying he did 16 at his goal pace for that run, not goal MP.

That said, I think you need to see how you're feeling the rest of this week and next Monday before you make that call. You were certainly on your feet plenty long enough to have it count as a 20, but I'd evaluate how I felt next Monday before making that call.

Thanks for the inputs.

No, I did not run at MP. I ran at goal pace.

Since I put so little emphasis on the 20 mile workout, I'm going with don't stress. Since you have 4 weeks left, you have two reasonably long runs in the next two weeks.

16 miles is a solid long run. Even though I don't worship at the temple of "20+", I'm not convinced that peaking at 16 mile long runs is sufficient.

grennifer wrote:Thanks for the inputs.

No, I did not run at MP. I ran at goal pace.

Greg:
Without context, Goal Pace = Marathon Pace (or whatever race you're training for)

Otherwise it should be "Goal Training" or "Target" or "Optimal Training", etc. Pace.

goal training pace, sorry.

grennifer wrote:

b. try another 20 mile run next monday (my LSD day) to try and make it the whole way


Greg

How about going out for 16, and if you feel good, then go a few more? There is nothing magical about 20 mile runs. Nothing. There is, however, a real possibility of blowing up close to your race... and that's not good. My advice is to just 'run by feel' from here on out, and if that means you can log another 20, great. If not, no worries. Race preparation is built from the entire cycle, not any one run.

I'd give another 20 a shot, for psychological purposes mostly.

Ah, in the case that it was your goal training pace, I agree with the others. Try for 20, don't fret over it if you don't make it. 3 weeks out (next Monday) is just on the borderline of whether the damage of a way-too-hard run is worth it or will actually hurt your marathon.

Well yes, it "counted," the question is for what. It was a strong long run for 16 miles, with a less-than-satisfying ending.

I would log another 16-20 miler, but the exact mileage isn't too important. Maybe as Matt suggested, decide as you go along?

Dave-O wrote:Well yes, it "counted," the question is for what. It was a strong long run for 16 miles, with a less-than-satisfying ending.

I would log another 16-20 miler, but the exact mileage isn't too important. Maybe as Matt suggested, decide as you go along?

I agree with Dave that the run definitely counted and I would suggest trying to get another one in at your training pace.