The Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method

May 19, 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

Sat, Oct 27, 2012

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

97 miles for the week. 13 runs, including a session of hill circuits, 8x8 sec hill blasts, 14 miles with 4 miles uphill at threshold effort, and 8x100m hill sprints. Pleased with the week, in fact, I'd say that this was my best week of training since I started. I felt strong and was well able for all the sessions and I recovered well between the workouts. That said, there's room for improvement.

Although the training went well this week and I felt strong, I'm still lacking 'proper' speed. I'm hoping the strength work will help when I turn on the speed.

On the news front, I've decided to run the inaugral Tralee International Marathon on the 16th Mar 2013 - 4 months away. That wasn't part of the plan but marathon fever's taken over Tralee and I'm going to give it a go. This is a bad idea. But sometimes you have dive in and see what happens.

So, I've changed the training. I'm going to keep working on the strength endurance, which will hopefully help with improving the speed before I get stuck into the longer speed stuff. Plus, the Tralee marathon is a very tough course of rolling hills - so the hill work should help.

If I had an extra 8 weeks and was running on a flat course, I'd aim for sub 2:30. Because the course is tough and I don't have enough time to get the base speed in, I'm going to aim for 2:37 (not too bad, for a first marathon on a hard course, aged 48).

After the marathon, I will focus on getting my 5k down.

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

Comments

From allie on Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 13:41:53 from 97.117.83.179

i like your bad idea. best of luck with the training ahead -- i think you'll crack your 2:37 goal pretty easily. just make sure you consume plenty of granola and goji berries.

From Jake K on Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 20:18:54 from 67.41.164.189

It's hard to resist marathon fever!!!

Very good week... I'm glad you are running Tralee... I bet this "bad idea" will end up being pretty fun :-)

From Jason D on Sun, Oct 28, 2012 at 20:15:03 from 24.1.80.94

YES. Do it.

From Andrea on Sun, Oct 28, 2012 at 20:43:49 from 67.177.11.154

I was so sure you were going to stick to the plan! :)

From Bam on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 02:56:13 from 213.191.247.17

Thanks lads.

I can't resist the temptation. Everywhere I go, I see posters for the race. Everybody who knows me is asking if I'm doing the race etc. The kids and my folks have been telling me to do it. The wife said that I might get injured and then all these 100 mile weeks would be wasted.

I know I'll lack speed and race fitness, but I think the marathon will be more like a hard training run - you can't blast off at the start and hang on (unless you're Jake or Fritz).

So if I can manage 5:50-6:00 pace over the hills, I think I'll be catching people as they die in the second half. The hills are tough and deceptive and relentless. The only flat is the final three miles. The hills range from long pulls to short sharp steep bridges. I think the course is a good [5] 2-3 mins slower than a flat, big city marathon.

Anyway, I'm up for it now.

Andrea, I tried to stick to the plan - honest, I did; I'm gutted that I've caved, but then, although many of you don't know this: I'm only human. It's true. I'm not a super being. EXPOSED!

I've decided to do one marathon a year and do mini Bam plans for each. I don't have the necessary time to apply the plan for Tralee, so I'll start the 'revised' "Qwer Old Fella's Marathon Method" after I tick-off the Tralee box.

I'm not changing my goals; I'm merely taking a slightly different route to my destination.

From bdase on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 05:37:43 from 67.214.231.170

I think it's a great idea. Point of reference, mini-test, etc. I'm sure you'll do well. Great week of training Bam, it will be fun to see how you adjust for Tralee. Cheers!

From Jake K on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 08:06:48 from 155.100.226.191

You didn't cave... just a slight alteration so you can become a local hero first! :-)

From Bam on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 14:02:18 from 213.191.236.200

Brandon - thanks. I like the idea of a mini-test/P.O.R.

Jake - Ooooh, you've tapped into my ego. I'm thinking, if none of the 10 or so sub 2:20ish guys don't turn up, can I pull out a sub 2:30 to win the inaugral marathon in my home town?

I've got bits of paper with all the mile splits for times ranging from 2:25 to 2:40 and the necessary workouts for each time.

The Irish record for the 45-48 masters is 2:28:xx. Beating that time might just be enough for the outright win. Can I hammer round at 5:40 pace? Not sure. Highly unlikely. 5:50's (2:33)will probably be a push and might just sneak it, if none of the big boys travel for the purse.

More importantly, I've got to work out what flats to wear. Any suggestions for a 130 pound neutral striker? I like a bit of cushioning.

From Jake K on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 15:40:45 from 155.100.226.191

I'd tell you to get the Fastwitch 6, but those won't be out yet... Brooks T7 or

Nike Lunaracer might fit the bill.

From Bam on Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 07:29:46 from 89.204.242.31

Thanks Jake. I like the look of the Lunaracer and the reviews seem good. I'll check them out. Thanks. I'm so out of touch with the whole shoe thing.

From Jake K on Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 08:23:38 from 155.100.226.191

That's what Mr. Fritz wears, and he knows a thing or two about winning marathons.

From RileyCook on Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 09:49:06 from 132.3.57.68

Very nice week Bam. I love all the hill workouts you're incorporating. I think running that marathon is a good call. I get more motivated to train the more I race.

From Bam on Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 16:04:36 from 213.191.254.228

Jake, I'm gonna wear one Lunaracer and one Fastwitch - an act of hom[e]age to the FRB marathon superstars:)

Riley, thanks. Since I decided to do the marathon, I've noticed that my motivation has gone through the roof. Just got to keep some perspective and balance and don't let it become all consuming, but then...

From NatalieK on Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 16:11:23 from 98.202.32.96

I like this plan as well. I'm sure you'll kill it. I'm excited to see where you place!

From Russ on Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 13:32:15 from 74.114.3.253

Great plan Bam! Only in a group of overachievers would the decision to run a marathon be called caving. Love it!

"It's better to shoot for the stars and miss then to aim for a cow pie and hit it." I do think you'll hit the star you aim for. Look forward to reading about your prep.

From allie on Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 13:35:01 from 161.38.218.168

"cow pie" = "cowpat"

From Bam on Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 14:32:31 from 89.204.162.123

Thanks Russ. The cow pie made me laugh - I think, if you don't mind, I'll nab that one and use it as my own.

allie the translator, rumour has it you're thinking of switching from the marathon to the 100m. Apparently, you've unearthed some hitherto latent supersonic fast twitch fibres:)

From Russ on Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 16:02:46 from 74.114.3.253

Not sure where I stole that line from myself, but it's my personal favorite when it comes to goals. Glad I can send it across the pond.

From aleph on Fri, Nov 02, 2012 at 08:25:12 from 67.63.231.130

Dang, Bam. Great job and I am excited to hear how this goes.

From Kam on Sat, Nov 10, 2012 at 22:17:37 from 70.57.90.175

Exciting news, bam. You'll do just fine.

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