A running buddy recently suggested I look into finding a personalized program to follow while I train for Boston. My last marathon I just used the Hal Hidgon programs and it seemed to work fine. I was pretty sick of running by the end of my training, but I was prepared and relatively healthy. [I struggle with off and on knee pain, it flared up occasionally during training but wasn’t too bad until the end of the actual marathon. Then I was out for a while dealing with knee aches] Regardless, the program got me through the finish line and with a qualifying Boston time! Wahoo.
So to train for Boston this April, I figured I would just use a similar program. Hal Hidgon actually has a Boston Bound program that I was going to loosely follow. But, my friend suggested working with The Run Smart Program.
They create programs specifically for the individual with the hope of reaching a PR. I filled out a bunch of questions regarding previous races, my pace and my goal time. With the information I gave, they created a personalized program for me so I can PR at Boston. Super Cool. However, after looking through it I was a little discouraged. My longest run is 17 miles and that’s only happens twice. My ‘normal’ pace for runs is 08:48 – 09:18 working towards 08:39 – 09:09. Right now, I run almost every run at 8 min mile pace and my last marathon I ran several long distances, maxing out at 20. To top it off, the plan is assuming I’m going to run about a 3:25. I want to run faster. I want 3:20. I know Run Smart is being conservative and that with a 3:25 finish I would still be 4.5 minutes faster than my PR but that was my first marathon, I didn’t know what I was doing and I had a lot left at the end. I can improve significantly in my next marathon. 4.5 minutes is not enough.
To feel better about this and to ensure I get the most out of my training, I am going to dig deeper into the science behind the program, ask a few questions and find the answers I feel like I should be pushing harder during training. This plan seems too easy [for me]. I also need to be smart and stay healthy. I am prone to runners knee but come on. I want to run fast. Period.
I notice you mentioned runner’s knee. I also struggle with this issue and have set a goal to run my 1st marathon in 2013. I took some time off after my 2 half marathons, but still feel some knee pain from time to time. I have tried so many things and researched this topic to death, as well as gone to an ortho and PT for it. Just curious if you could share what you do to help your knees? I feel like it means more coming from a runner w/ a similar problem. Thanks a bunch!
Runners knee is tough and really frustrating. You really need to listen to your body and let your knee rest when it is sore. The two things that have really helped me recover are stretching and finding the right shoes.
For a while I was running in really minimal, light weight shoes and a friend suggested trying something with a little more support. The second I switched shoes, my knee pain decreased significantly.
I have also been very diligent about post-run recovery and taking the extra 10 minutes after a run to stretch and (occasionally) ice.