This is by far the toughest marathon I have ever done…
The cusways. Jesus. I have run them multiple times and even during shorter faster races. But it’s usually one up and one down. This times were 2 cusways and you have to do them 2x! So 4 times up and 4 times down. It’s leg killer.
The course layout and marshalling was so fucking bad. There was only 2 timing mats. So it would have been ridiculously easy to cheat. They didn’t have anyone on the first turn off the main road… Everyone who were in front missed the turn… Where was the fuckin bike? Apparently there was no one.
Today weather. Temperature was bad but not horrible for Florida. Low 60s… I can deal with that… But the wind brah. Start was about 14 at the end was about 20 with some gust of 30. Climbing the last cusways was so punishing. I was going 10.30 mpm and my hr was almost 180… Last 2 miles were with wind straight in our face. Terrible…
I think I am/was in shape for a 3:10 race today in this course if we didn’t had the wind… And probably a 3:08 on a course with no cusways or drastic elevation changes… I am happy with my current fitness and hope it translates to a good tri training
Well done! While not an ideal race day for you, it would seem it went well enough for you to come in under your goal time. That’s a BQ time for you right
Did a marathon where I was in the lead pack but the bike went off course. I had run it the year before and the course markings were clear so we stayed on route. That was mile 16-ish. About my 23 he finds me and asks if I was the leader (it was the guy about 10 seconds in front of me). Good thing we knew the way.
So my running has come to a halt going on a week now. Last Saturday I started my run and took about three steps when I noticed something not right with my right butt cheek and lower back. I stopped, stretched, wiggled about, and then tried again. No dice! End result, was turning around and walking home. Not sure if it’s piriformis, sciatic, or what. I’ve tried everything to no avail. It does seem to be nerve related because there are moments when I suddenly feel 100%. Then, a few minutes later it’s back. Yesterday, I decided to start taking some ibuprofen hoping that it might un-inflame something that is clamping down on a nerve. In the meantime, it doesn’t seem to be aggravated by riding the bike.
I started a run streak after I was cleared to run post meniscus surgery (Jan 27th). So far so good. Lots of short and easy runs as I build volume back up post-surgery. My plan is to continue my run streak all year. Has anyone done a year-long run streak?
I am targeting shorter triathlon races this year, sprints and Olympic, finishing at age group nationals (sprint distance). I haven’t trained for speed in many years, so this will be interesting.
I’d be heading for a doctor or at least chiropractor pretty quickly. Anything like that, the sooner you get it fixed, the less chance it’ll have to do mischief.
On my end, things are going well! In 2020 before I got injured, I was at 212W FTP. Last week, I got an FTP boost to 213W: a new PB just one watt higher than the old. Now I need endurance: the bare minimum I’ll need to finish GFNY is three hours @ 140W (65%) and then one final hour @ 185W (85%) to get up Bear Mountain. Still a lot of work to do!
The walking is going REALLY well. 2x25min and 1x40min of fast walking last week, roughly 8:40/km pace. But I now recover well from those before my ride the next day. I feel they’re helping, not “adding load”. Clearly I was pushing too hard before. God bless BarryP, and thanks to all of you for good guidance as well. Will try to move to 5 days per week of walking next, working up to 2x20, 2x40, 1x60.
NB
5mi ~ 8km
10mi ~ 16km
The black line 18mi 29km
20mi ~ 32.2km
This last week was my first full weeks training in three weeks.
3 swims
3 bike
6 run… Total 93km
Main run sessions
Last Sunday, okay that is last and not in the 93km this week, but it was my longest run of my build 22 miles / 35km
This week
10x 600m 5km pace or slightly faster, go me some good time 90 - 95% hrmax.
90 minute with 30 minutes at Marathon pace
Today Long Run 18 miles / 29km
PS I am trying to move to KMs, makes sense for running but not so much for the bike in the UK, which is why previous attempt have failed. Road signs are in miles.
Hi! and thanks for asking. After several attempts and a lot of starting and stopping, I’m back into “starting” again! I’ve been keeping it very conservative with most of my running at lunch breaks at work, so nothing too much over 30 min/3 miles - everything from 7.5 - 10 min/mi pace. I’ve gotten back on the bike too and really enjoying that as well, and my goal this year is just finding a better balance with riding, lifting/strength training and running.
This weekend I opted to replace a ride with a run so I went out with the intent of my normal 3 mile route, but I got to the turn-around point and decided to make a loop out of it and ended up doing my longest run of the year just under 5 miles with some climbing - 500 ft or so. It was really fun and probably the first time this year when I felt fantastic both in terms of fitness and little/no pain. Of course I over did it later in the day sprinting around the yard playing nerf guns with my son, but it was worth it. Some ibuprofen, stretching, rolling and a bit of time off the run will get me back out there. I want to continue to push out the duration of my runs and be able to do 5+ miles pain free. This week I’ll focus on the bike and do a gym session this weekend and plan to get back to lunch runs next week. It’s been challenging but a fun lesson, this running thing.
Ugh, running is just so hard on the body. Recently resumed after a 5 week or so break to heal my PTT and it almost immediately came back (it had gotten to the point where it almost felt 100%). I’ve probably done about 5 runs so far coming back, in the 3-5 mile range, easy pace. The actual runs feel good but now I’m dealing with all that soreness, my PTT, tight calves, just tired legs in general, things I didn’t feel at all over the course of my first 5 weeks of TR.
Guess this is just how it is if you want to run. Recently switched to stability shoes and I’m hoping this helps over the long term.
I’ll admit I’ve never heard of PTT but I’ve always been advised much less for returning from injury.
Like start with a five minute run/walk on day one.
Over-striding and too much volume are key beginner mistakes, stretch your calves with eccentric raises and shorten your stride, distance and intensity. Would be my starting points.
let me clarify, I started with 3 mile runs, felt fine, then did 4, then finally did 5. Wasn’t after a few of these that I started feeling my PTT again. I would describe this as easing back in since at the start, I felt near 100% again.
I’m doing a lot of mobility exercises in between. I’m not a beginner runner so I don’t consider 5 mile runs that strenuous, especially at easy pace. I’m going to refrain from anything beyond easy running for a while.
Yesterday, I decided to start taking some ibuprofen hoping that it might un-inflame something that is clamping down on a nerve. In the meantime, it doesn’t seem to be aggravated by riding the bike. 
Now I need endurance: the bare minimum I’ll need to finish GFNY is three hours @ 140W (65%) and then one final hour @ 185W (85%) to get up Bear Mountain. Still a lot of work to do!
