The Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method

May 05, 2024

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Location:

Tralee,Ireland

Member Since:

Oct 01, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I've never worn compression socks.

Short-Term Running Goals:

To do a race.

Long-Term Running Goals:

1. Break the world record for the marathon in the 50+ age group, when I'm 50 in 2015.

2. Never wear compression socks.

Personal:

Married with two girls (6 and 10).

The Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method is a four year experiment.

The first year (2012) was about getting back into running, staying off the smokes and booze, while sticking to a healthy eating plan and shedding mountains of lard. All boxes ticked.

Year two (2013 - age: 48) Injured Jan through March. Build back up and work on my 5k speed. Goal 15:45.

Year three (2014) will be about doing my first marathon in the spring. (Just for the experience and on a tough course - maybe Tralee; goal time, 2:30ish.) Then begins the prep work for Berlin 2015

Year four (2015) is all about breaking the world record for the marathon in the 50+ age group - it's only 2:19 :).

The above might sound nuts; it is, but then I'm nuts. Please do not copy any of the training I do: if you do, you are likely to end up running like me - not a good idea.

The idea is to have a laugh along the way. If I fail, I don't know what I'll do - my whole belief system will crumble and I suspect that this little rock might just stop spinning for a couple of seconds. Jakers, I better not fail for all our sakes. That's some burden, even for SuperBam.

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00

Mon, Mar 11, 2013

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
5.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	5.00

a.m. 5 miles easy along the canal.

Leg and achilles felt fine and dan-day; can't say the same about my heart and lungs - I was blowing like a harpooned whale. It's going to take a good bit of time to shift 14 pounds but I suppose as the weight vanishes the fitness will improve.

I need to have a little look at some goals and start scheduling some races - I'm not going to be doing 15 months of miles without any focus. I'm thinking that for the next 18 months I 'll work on my 5k fitness. Probably 6 month blocks. Hopefully each block will result in substantial improvements.

The 5k goal is 14:50ish by Sept 2014 - my little injury scuppered all plans of breaking 15 this year. So, I need to set a goal for Sept/Oct this year and March/Apr 2014. I was thinking, maybe 16 mins for Sept this year and then 15:30 for March next year (hard to do speed work in the winter because of the wind). 15:30 to 14:50 may seem like a big jump but I'll have a summer of track work, so I think it's possible. Once I hit 14:50ish, I'll have the necessary speed and foundation to attack the marathon:)

Of course, I'll only hit those goals if I can stay healthy. Staying healthy is a major part of managing the process...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 145.00

Comments

From Jake K on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 08:28:16 from 155.100.226.191

I always like the idea of big picture, but having intermediate goals along the way. Its nice to have some boxes on the to-do list to check off along the way.

From ACorn on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 19:57:09 from 24.2.76.146

It'll be fun to watch you go. I will be checking your blog and stealing some speed work ideas.

From Jason D on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 20:15:14 from 24.1.80.94

YOU HAVE TO RACE, BAM.

From seeaprilrun on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 20:48:08 from 205.172.12.210

Love the goals. I am all about dreaming big. Have to believe in it to make it happen.

From Bam on Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 03:31:42 from 89.126.28.24

Jake, yeah, I think you've got to have little targets along the way - for motivation and assessment purposes.

Acorn, my training comes with a health warning, but steal away:)

Jason, I've no problem with racing, in fact, I mad for it once I'm fit enough. Remember, when I was starting out I had to shed somewhere around 70-80lbs! Then I needed to get a bit of a base. I was just about ready to start 'training' when I got injured.

Now that my tendons and muscles etc are stronger - I'll only need a 3 month base and then I'll get more specific. After the three month base (during the specific phase - July, August and September)I will begin to race.

April - Big goals are what it's about and I understand why many might think my goals are just a touch on the Everest side of things. But for me, 16 mins and 15:30 are doable and not overly ambitious. 14:50 is going to be a tough ask but that's what it's about:)

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