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Believe

September 21, 2011 by Kristy 12 Comments

Thank you for all the incredible comments on my post yesterday.  I think Alyssa said it best…

I thought all BQers were naturally speedy and ran sub-4 marathons without even trying.

That’s a myth!  I used to think the same thing.  This is exactly why I wrote that post – to show you that an average runner can BQ!

How’d I do it?  Let’s start with the physical part first.

Know what works for you
When I’m coaching someone, I often tell them that I made every mistake in the book so they don’t have to.  I really think I did.  Lots of trial and error.  But it made me a smart runner.  I know what my body can handle and what it can’t.  I know which training plans will work for me and which ones won’t.  I know when to back off and rest and when to kick it up a notch.

Listen to your body and keep a training log.  After each training cycle and race, jot down what worked and what didn’t.  Review often and look for any patterns.

Marathon-paced long runs
I love me some marathon-paced long runs!   I wrote a post awhile ago explaining my reasoning for not doing long, slow distance long runs here.  LSD does not work for me.  I gave it a fair shot.  My coaching certification is through RRCA and they heavily stress LSD long runs for everyone – beginners to elite.  I 100% agree with LSD long runs for beginners who need to build an adequate endurance base.  But, if you have a time goal in mind, you need to incorporate some MP miles into your long runs.  For the simple reason that practice makes perfect.

Speed work (FIRST training plan)
I used the FIRST training plan for my last 2 marathons (with modifications – I added in some easy runs for more mileage).  I definitely credit it with helping me BQ.  Before the NJ Marathon, I went to the track here and there but I wasn’t consistent.  I’ve been doing speed work consistently for the past 9 months and the results are astounding.  My marathon pace dropped significantly.  And I saw results quickly.

Consistency is key here.  Pick a day each week and dedicate it to speed work.  It’s easiest to do on a track but any flat, paved path (free of traffic) will do.  And don’t think you have to run all-out…that is a misnomer.  You can do intervals at 10K or half marathon pace.  For my final weeks leading up to the Lehigh Valley Marathon, I kept my intervals at 10K pace because I found myself overstriding (and subsequently hurting my hamstring) when I did intervals at 5K pace.

2-week taper
This training cycle was the first time I experimented with a 2-week taper.  And I will never go back to a 3-week taper again!  For me, it’s more mental than anything.  I had a good 22-miler 2 weeks before the LVM.  The day of the race I kept thinking that all I had to do was repeat the run that I did only 2 weeks before.  It boosted my confidence significantly.

Before you try a 2-week taper, think about how long it takes you to completely recover from a 20 mile run.  If it takes awhile, I would err on the side of caution and stick with a 3-week taper.  You don’t want to have any lingering effects of that last 20-miler come race day.

Train for the worst case scenario
I learned this the hard way during the Pocono Marathon.  Know the marathon course.  Look at the elevation profile.  Ask people who ran the race in previous years (sidenote:  take their advice with a grain of salt.  A big hill to some is a little hill to others and vice versa).  If there are small hills, train for big hills.  It will only help you come race day.

Now for the mental part…

Break it up into small chunks
When I started to get closer to my BQ time, I looked at each marathon as a way to inch closer and closer to my ultimate goal.  My goal for Steamtown was to break 4:00 hours.  Then my goal for NJM was to hit 3:50…and finally BQ (3:45) at LVM.  This made it much more manageable and less daunting.

Believe
Such a powerful word.  Believe in yourself AND in your training.  If you think you can, you can.  If you think you can’t, you can’t.

Be present
This tactic worked well for me at LVM.  Instead of thinking ahead to the later miles (i.e., the last 6.2), I forced myself to focus on the current mile and mastering it.  It can get overwhelming to think of how many more miles you have and how you are going to maintain MP, blah, blah, blah.  It’s a vicious cycle of self-doubt.  If you find yourself going down this road, snap out of it (during the LVM I audibly said “stop”) and regain your focus.

Phew!  I had lots to say.  If you made it through this post, kudos…you deserve a gold star!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Boston Marathon, Boston qualifier, FIRST training plan, marathon tips, NJ Marathon, via lehigh valley marathon

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alyssa says

    September 21, 2011 at 8:41 am

    First of all, I love any post I’m quoted in. Second of all, this post is absolutely wonderful. I love you how broke down exactly how you reached your goal, because now you’ve inspired me! I’m not sure about the whole BQ thing, but maybe someday I could break four hours. I also like the idea of knowing what works for you, I get very caught up in what I am “supposed” to do. Thanks for writing this one!

    Reply
  2. Kara says

    September 21, 2011 at 8:53 am

    I love this post! I am going to need to reread it when I get closer to race time. 🙂

    Reply
  3. runningseal says

    September 21, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Great tips/strategies! In terms of workouts I am a big believer in marathon paced long runs and speedwork. Of the two speedwork is less controversial 😛 One thing I am not totally sold on is the two-week taper. It seems to be becoming a lot more popular. I know a lot of people who did it this year and did really well too! Maybe I will have to try it one day…

    Reply
  4. Kelly says

    September 21, 2011 at 11:51 am

    this is a great post! I’m also learning how important marathon pace long runs are and totally agree with you. You can’t expect to run a race at a certain pace if your body is more used to a slower one.

    Also thinking of more like a 2 week taper! SO many things to think about in terms of marathon training…. But I love it! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth says

    September 21, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    You are all smart and stuff. I’m so glad you are my coach. And that you don’t run in fear when I talk about harnessing my boobicles in a new sports bra.

    Reply
  6. runningismagical says

    September 21, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    This is awesome! Super helpful. Still figuring out what works for me since I’m still relatively new to all of this.

    Reply
  7. runninfromthelaw says

    September 21, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    Some good tips here. I need to remember to run in the present at Twin Cities!

    Reply
  8. Pink Runner says

    September 21, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    I agree.. I don’t really think the LSD works for me either… every once in awhile I think it’s fine during a back down week, but when I am pushing the mileage I try to keep it fairly close to MP. 🙂 Hope to break 4:00 someday!!

    Reply
  9. thethinksicanthink says

    September 22, 2011 at 8:31 am

    I love this post! I like the “be present” point – I often have to tell myself to “stay where you are” in races as my mind will jump ahead.

    I also like the point about knowing yourself as a runner – I’m still figuring that one out. I think I adapt pretty quickly to speedwork. I’ve done long runs with a few miles at MP but never the whole thing. And I definitely do a 2 week taper, not 3.

    Reply
  10. Sokphal says

    December 29, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    I just stumbled across your blog and I love this post! Will use it as a reference as I’m on my 3rd marathon training cycle now. Oh! And congrats on your BQ!

    Reply
  11. Christine says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    I need to shave off 40+ minutes, but one day I will qualify! #DreamBig

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The BQ(Q) – Kirsty | Milo and the Calf says:
    October 1, 2012 at 8:39 am

    […] I loosely followed the FIRST training plan.  High mileage and speed work really helped me drop my goal marathon pace.  I wrote 2 posts about what it took to BQ:   http://runthelongroad.com/2011/09/a-walk-down-memory-lane/  and   http://runthelongroad.com/2011/09/believe/. […]

    Reply

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