I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this
situation:
six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in
terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been
running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas
mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much
(logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in
shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury
free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in
the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes
on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no
injury) outcome.
So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
a good outcome!
Subject: Re: [Minimalist Runner:108408] Anyone having difficulty balancing their desire to run shoeless and their desire to log training miles ahead of race time?
On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Jason <jasonhorn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this
> situation:
> six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in
> terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been
> running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas
> mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much
> (logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in
> shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury
> free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in
> the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes
> on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no
> injury) outcome.
> So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
> the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
> barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
> Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
> a good outcome!
Subject: Re: [Minimalist Runner:108408] Anyone having difficulty balancing their desire to run shoeless and their desire to log training miles ahead of race time?
> So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
> the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
> barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
> Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
> a good outcome!
I would say that if you are not worried about running a particular time, that of course you can do this.
In terms of training, you'll need to focus on running within your limits. I would suggest that instead of focussing on what number of miles to run, you instead focus on being able to run every day, for, say, 15-20 minutes (pick your own time, though, one that you *know* is not too far for you to run *every day*). And run slowly, or mix with walking, so that you can breath without needing to keep your mouth open. After a month or so, you can start increasing the amount of time you run, still keeping the focus on being able to run every day - that is the most important thing - you must not run so hard or so far that you will not be able to run every day, if you are willing and able.
After 3 months, if all has gone well, I'd hope that you would be up to running 45 minutes a day, at least 5 times a week. If after 3 months, you are still running roughly every day, and you now have a sense of how to keep the running within the limits needed to keep it going, then you can start to progress the length of time you spend out there. You may want to incorporate some long walks/hikes before trying to run really long distances. That would involve longer time committment of course, but prepare you for running those same distances. You'll be on the road for a long time, and you should have exercised in some way (doesn't have to be running) that you have been exercising for that length of time (whether you think you will do 5 hours or 3).
Finally, I would commit to running the marathon regardless of what happens with your training. The marathon is simply a very long training run for you. Focus on being able to run it and then imagine yourself still being able to run again the next day. How slow do you need to be to make that happen? Concentrate on being slow enough to enjoy running, and don't worry about those who pass you - you will pass many of them later by simply running within your own limits.
Oh, and wear minimalist shoes all the time when running. And spend the last 1/2 mile of every run going actually barefoot.
By the way, don't consider these specifics as actual advice. The only real advice I have is to practice to enjoy running, which means to go slowly, and not worry about races or times, but about being able to run as much and as often as possible. Then make the decision to feel how you are running, and you will be able to plan your own training.
Subject: Re: [Minimalist Runner:108408] Anyone having difficulty balancing their desire to run shoeless and their desire to log training miles ahead of race time?
Is that a typo, or did you just say you are running 2-3 miles per WEEK
six months before a marathon?
That is basically, nothing. I can (and do) run 2-3 miles per week, and
I don't even consider myself a runner.
Personally, (assuming you didn't have a typo) you are in the best
circumstance to go pure barefoot in training for this marathon.
Provided you actually listen to your feet and not let your head get in
the way of learning (i.e. stop when your feet say stop, not when the
schedule says stop).
You sound like the perfect test subject to do a full out barefoot
transition to a barefoot marathon.
On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Jason <jasonhorn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this
> situation:
> six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in
> terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been
> running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas
> mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much
> (logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in
> shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury
> free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in
> the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes
> on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no
> injury) outcome.
> So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
> the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
> barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
> Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
> a good outcome!
Subject: Re: [Minimalist Runner:108441] Anyone having difficulty balancing their desire to run shoeless and their desire to log training miles ahead of race time?
As I learned last year, barefoot-style running goes really well with a
Maffetone-style training approach. You do your MAF miles (low HR) as
barefoot as you can handle. That's 80% of your milage. Faster runs (or
trail runs, if you're training for a trail race) you do in as much footwear
as you require.
I have a lightweight running backpack with a bladder. As I was extending
my barefoot distances, I would wear that (with a bit of water in the
bladder) and put my Vivo Ultras in the pack (or just carry them for shorter
distances).
Since you don't really care about speed on the 80% of your milage that
you're doing below your MAF HR, being barefoot, or stopping to take off
your shoes or put them back on, has no impact on your training. You're
going so slow it just doesn't matter if you stop. :) It's a great
opportunity to invite your dog along too, so long as he doesn't get too
bored with you.
Personally, I don't see any problem with a mixed approach. Would it be
better to just go totally barefoot for a couple of years? Probably, but I
like doing races with friends, and I'm not willing to put all that on hold.
On Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 10:03 AM, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is that a typo, or did you just say you are running 2-3 miles per WEEK
> six months before a marathon?
> That is basically, nothing. I can (and do) run 2-3 miles per week, and
> I don't even consider myself a runner.
> Personally, (assuming you didn't have a typo) you are in the best
> circumstance to go pure barefoot in training for this marathon.
> Provided you actually listen to your feet and not let your head get in
> the way of learning (i.e. stop when your feet say stop, not when the
> schedule says stop).
> You sound like the perfect test subject to do a full out barefoot
> transition to a barefoot marathon.
> On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Jason <jasonhorn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this
> > situation:
> > six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in
> > terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been
> > running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas
> > mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much
> > (logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in
> > shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury
> > free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in
> > the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes
> > on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no
> > injury) outcome.
> > So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
> > the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
> > barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
> > Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
> > a good outcome!
Jason
Run every day! Easiest way to gain mile. Take a day off if you half
too. If what your doing is not making you happy I suggest finding a
different sport.
On Apr 30, 10:53 am, Tuck <tuck...@gmail.com> wrote:
> As I learned last year, barefoot-style running goes really well with a
> Maffetone-style training approach. You do your MAF miles (low HR) as
> barefoot as you can handle. That's 80% of your milage. Faster runs (or
> trail runs, if you're training for a trail race) you do in as much footwear
> as you require.
> I have a lightweight running backpack with a bladder. As I was extending
> my barefoot distances, I would wear that (with a bit of water in the
> bladder) and put my Vivo Ultras in the pack (or just carry them for shorter
> distances).
> Since you don't really care about speed on the 80% of your milage that
> you're doing below your MAF HR, being barefoot, or stopping to take off
> your shoes or put them back on, has no impact on your training. You're
> going so slow it just doesn't matter if you stop. :) It's a great
> opportunity to invite your dog along too, so long as he doesn't get too
> bored with you.
> Personally, I don't see any problem with a mixed approach. Would it be
> better to just go totally barefoot for a couple of years? Probably, but I
> like doing races with friends, and I'm not willing to put all that on hold.
> On Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 10:03 AM, Doug Sims <wdsim...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Is that a typo, or did you just say you are running 2-3 miles per WEEK
> > six months before a marathon?
> > That is basically, nothing. I can (and do) run 2-3 miles per week, and
> > I don't even consider myself a runner.
> > Personally, (assuming you didn't have a typo) you are in the best
> > circumstance to go pure barefoot in training for this marathon.
> > Provided you actually listen to your feet and not let your head get in
> > the way of learning (i.e. stop when your feet say stop, not when the
> > schedule says stop).
> > You sound like the perfect test subject to do a full out barefoot
> > transition to a barefoot marathon.
> > On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Jason <jasonhorn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this
> > > situation:
> > > six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in
> > > terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been
> > > running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas
> > > mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much
> > > (logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in
> > > shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury
> > > free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in
> > > the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes
> > > on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no
> > > injury) outcome.
> > > So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
> > > the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
> > > barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
> > > Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
> > > a good outcome!
Sorry, I just came across this thread, so my answer is late.
What you've heard seems really on-point to me, although I would echo/add a few things.
One, if you're really not running that much, you can--and I might argue--should, start as minimal as possible, including Full Monty. If you're at point 0, you don't have the normal baggage with which many of had to deal when transitioning, i.e., dealing with the loss of miles/per week, the perception of "starting over" and that type of crap.
Two, as Tuck mentioned, the barefoot/minimalist approach fits very well with the Maffetone approach. As an added benefit, the Maffetone approach *will* result in speed gains. (Check out: "Want Speed? Slow Down!" from Maffetone. Pure gold.) So don't worry about speed at all. Your body will take care of that if you train your aerobic system. And that's true even if you half-ass the MAF approach.
Three, the basic question I'd have, in starting to train for a marathon, is planning. As a suggestion, and a *really* open-ended one, I might must pick one of the canned "marathon training plans" out of a hat, and start with that. I'd throw all the speed work, tempo runs, etc. out the window, though. Replace every planned run with a MAF pace run, regardless of distance. When I say MAF pace, I *am* suggesting the use of a heart rate monitor, but just in the early sessions, and then just to get the feel of it. Thereafter, run by feel, get used to the exertion level, and just enjoy the miles. As an aside, I've found myself out at mile 10 of a 12 to 15-miler thinking, "Damn, this feels good." That's a far cry from the, "Damn, I'll be glad when this is over!" that I enjoyed pre-MAF.
...when the marathon comes around, if you're comfortable with on-your-feet time exceeding 2.5 hours, you should be good go.
(That's a point I'll be testing myself in a few weeks, though!)
On Sunday, April 29, 2012 9:39:19 AM UTC-4, Jason wrote:
> I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this > situation:
> six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in > terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been > running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas > mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much > (logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in > shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury > free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in > the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes > on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no > injury) outcome.
> So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of > the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this > barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much. > Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have > a good outcome!
Hi everyone...and thank you! Really enjoyed all of your input on this.
I like it. Especially like the positive perspective on being at this
level of little running with marathon plans. I am really not concerned
with my running times at all. I have not heard of the Maffetone
approach, so I'll have to look into it. I'll look into 'Want Speed?
Slow Down!'. Many thanks...time to go run.
On May 2, 6:22 pm, Wilt Alston <rock.maratho...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sorry, I just came across this thread, so my answer is late.
> What you've heard seems really on-point to me, although I would echo/add a
> few things.
> One, if you're really not running that much, you can--and I might
> argue--should, start as minimal as possible, including Full Monty. If
> you're at point 0, you don't have the normal baggage with which many of had
> to deal when transitioning, i.e., dealing with the loss of miles/per week,
> the perception of "starting over" and that type of crap.
> Two, as Tuck mentioned, the barefoot/minimalist approach fits very well
> with the Maffetone approach. As an added benefit, the Maffetone approach
> *will* result in speed gains. (Check out: "Want Speed? Slow Down!" from
> Maffetone. Pure gold.) So don't worry about speed at all. Your body will
> take care of that if you train your aerobic system. And that's true even
> if you half-ass the MAF approach.
> Three, the basic question I'd have, in starting to train for a marathon, is
> planning. As a suggestion, and a *really* open-ended one, I might must pick
> one of the canned "marathon training plans" out of a hat, and start with
> that. I'd throw all the speed work, tempo runs, etc. out the window,
> though. Replace every planned run with a MAF pace run, regardless of
> distance. When I say MAF pace, I *am* suggesting the use of a heart rate
> monitor, but just in the early sessions, and then just to get the feel of
> it. Thereafter, run by feel, get used to the exertion level, and just enjoy
> the miles. As an aside, I've found myself out at mile 10 of a 12 to
> 15-miler thinking, "Damn, this feels good." That's a far cry from the,
> "Damn, I'll be glad when this is over!" that I enjoyed pre-MAF.
> ...when the marathon comes around, if you're comfortable with on-your-feet
> time exceeding 2.5 hours, you should be good go.
> (That's a point I'll be testing myself in a few weeks, though!)
> On Sunday, April 29, 2012 9:39:19 AM UTC-4, Jason wrote:
> > I've been through this before...but find myself right back in this
> > situation:
> > six months out from marathon day, at the bottom of the mountain in
> > terms of training (at about 2-3 miles/week currently), have been
> > running up to about 4 mile runs in minimal shoes (feelmax neisas
> > mostly) for the past year and half - just haven't been running much
> > (logging average of 8 miles a month!!!!). First marathon in 2009 (in
> > shoes, trained well for four months, finished comfortably and injury
> > free), essentially threw out my shoes except ran two half marathons in
> > the past 2 years with inadequate training so broke down and put shoes
> > on just for the race - finished in surprisingly comfortable (no
> > injury) outcome.
> > So the question is...I now need to log some serious mileage ahead of
> > the marathon in 6 months. My goal has always been to really put this
> > barefoot/minimal running to the test...just haven't been running much.
> > Wondering if I can possibly go minimal shoes on marathon day and have
> > a good outcome!
