You are reading a single comment by @rhb and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
Distance on the terrain you have. I'd be tempted by 'c' with the last flat miles into a headwind, just incase you get headwind at end of Brighton.
I'd also take the 35km in RP steady as smashing already tired legs just 3 weeks out from marathon race seems a strange logic.
rhb-
Thanks.
I'd also take the 35km in RP steady
Yes, sorry, wasn't clear. It would be steady like the rest, but the fact it'll be 6km longer than I've ever run and on hillier terrain than normal (~350m of climbing) is why it's going to leave my legs feeling smashed. The 3km cycle home (uphill) will be interesting.
Greenbank
At the moment I'm doing my long runs trying to keep my HR down below 160bpm and not really worrying about pace (first 10k of today's 23k was in 1:01:06 with a 20s stop for a gel and a swig of drink). I'm hoping the pace will pick up as my weight drops and I get a bit more fitness. What I tend to do is a long blat along the towpath (nice and flat) and then come home on a slightly hillier route through Richmond Park, nothing too stupid or steep. Pace starts to drop off a bit at 9k or so, and then the terrain and footing is so varied through RP. Mentally I guess it's harder to do the hills in the second half, but then they might be doing me good to feel like I have to push a bit harder.
For long runs is it "better" (I know that's subjective) to do them:-
a) all flat (along the towpath until a bit over half way, then back, which also gives me a 10 minute walk at the end to stretch out)
b) carry on doing the towpath and then back home through lumpy-ish Richmond Park or Wimbledon Common
c) Reverse it, do the lumps first and then the final 15/20k or so is all flat towpath (I'm not planning any 'progressive' runs specifically)
d) Mix it up.
e) It doesn't matter, just do the long runs and STFU.
(Immediate goal is Brighton Marathon which is pretty much flat.)
As far as long runs are concerned I've got a 24k, 29k, 24k, HM (fast), 35k, 19k and 16k left.
The big 35k I'm going to make relatively hilly (3 laps of RP with a bike a water/gel stash) just to smash my legs 3 weeks out from the marathon.