Going past 15 miles

R

rievler

0
I'm addicted. Been running for years, and I've learned many lessons the hard way. I've been increasingly going for long runs, but have hit a wall that I've not found a way around yet. Did a flat 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours a couple of months back, and it didn't really seem that difficult. Next goal is full marathon, but 15+ just seems impossible. Now I know from watching 50+YOs finish extremely difficult marathons in under 5 hours that it can be done(I'm only 46). I train in a very hilly park with dozens of miles of trails and love to run hills. The elevation no doubt is contributing to my fatigue, but damn if I simply can't run up a hill(of any pitch) after mile 14 or so. My hamstrings and calves are just shot after this mileage/elevation. My long term goal is to run a marathon in this same park in 10 months.

I'll drink around 32oz of water at this distance, run a few hours after a good meal and eat 3-5 100calorie chews along the way. I typically run 25 miles/week in two runs with several days rest in between. I've been increasing less than 10% distance per week and will increase 3 weeks then drop back on the 4th. What am I missing? Or should I just be more patient and trust that extra distance will come eventually?
 
Looks like you are a distance focussed runner, rather than a plodder like me. I seem to be able to just keep going regardless, same pace just plodding along.
Distance focussed runners seem to have different pace for different distances, and usually beat us plodders when doing so on all but the longest runs.
As such you will need to do something painful, slow down for the whole run, and allow your body to be operating at a level it can keep going longer. This will be mentally difficult but I don't see an alterntative.
 
I suggest that you need to change a small number of things. Firstly I think that you could run more. Can you add an interval session each week or maybe a 5-7 miler?
Secondly slow your long run down, the plan is to do the distance and then build the pace. Thirdly if you get to 15 miles and struggle then walk another 2-3 miles to break the barrier.
Good luck and let us know how it Goes.
 
You said you run 2 days a week. What do you do on the other 5 days a week? Any physical exercise? Do you do any strength training? Although, most runners shun resistance training completely, those who try find some light strength training helps then in the long term, especially in overcoming plateaus, and especially those who are over 40 and can't rely on natural testosterone levels to maintain their lean body mass.
 
I did my first marathon in October, 2011 at age 52. I had several half marathons (in just over 2 hours) and according to the computers would come in around 4:30. But, I had never gone more than 14 miles, cramped badly for the last 12 miles and limped in. Mix in more distance at slower speed to acclimate the body to that distance and build up to about 20 miles. During the marathon, your adrenaline, the course, the fans will carry you the last 6.2 miles.
 
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