Monday, November 19, 2007

Oh Crap...

Do you ever look at your race schedule and just go, "oh Crap!"? I did, last week...lying around sick with whatever crud had me laid out for 2 weeks. I took a gander at my Marathon that is scheduled for 2008 - you know, next year. The Marathon that I swore I'd never do again, unless it was at the end of an Ironman. That one. Gasparilla.

Except it's in February of 2008....as of today, it's only 12 weeks away. Oh Crap. The Bigun better get on the stick.

There aren't a plethora of 12-week Marathon training programs out there. At least free ones. I did find one, and when I looked at it, I had yet another "Oh Crap!" moment. Relentless. Yes, I'm scared...

So, I have that to look forward to. 12 Weeks of running torture. Love it (hold the "L"). If you need me, I'll be either out on the road or crying over in the corner (or crying out on the road). Either way, I'll welcome the interruption.

I also had the distinct pleasure of seeing the weeks tick away until IMCdA'08 - now down to 30. You know, when you say it's over 6 months away, it seems like forever. Somehow 30 weeks seems like nothing. No time. How am I going to get it done in 30 weeks? Oh Crap!

The musings of an Iron Wergin...pretty funny; the panic, the trepidation...isn't it? I know, I know; plenty of time. I also know that that cannon will go off and it will feel like I wrote this yesterday.

25 comments:

Jenny Davidson said...

That's a pretty crazy 12-week schedule, I hope you are not planning on undertaking it in its entirety?!? Good luck with training, in any case--you know it really will be fun...

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

I think that schedule is only for people taking Vaam, the patented sports drink that will metabolize that fat into energy!

Anonymous said...

i have a great 12 week schedule if you want to check it out. it involves a lot of racing to get you fast, and it really worked for me. i then was an idiot at the race and went out at 7:30min/m, but otherwise i'm positive it would have been the race of my life. i dropped 6 minutes in my half marathon time...

The Stretch Doc said...

ahh come on.. its just running, Ha!

Bigun, you need all the help you can get.. we're with ya.

rockon`

21stCenturyMom said...

I just spent a whole season saying "oh crap" because I didn't plan at all. One event bled into the next so I was never trained and/or never tapered. I will not do that again.

You'll be fine! Just do a lot of running for the next 10 weeks then do a little less running for the next 2 and you're there!

Supalinds said...

Ahhh you're freaking me out. So close.

12 weeks until a marathon, wow. You can do it, but I ain't going to lie when I say, better you than me.

Good luck.

Bill said...

Bigun,

Waltz on over to halhigdon.com and look at his training plans. No specific 12-week plan, but there are plenty of different plans that you can kludge together and build a great plan.

-bill

Ryan said...

Nothing drops the "lbs" like 40+ mile running weeks. Just make sure recovery runs are slow and easy and learn to love "tempos at race pace." Good luck to you, I'm starting training for mine in mid Feb also, so now you know that there is another clyde out there hoofing with you too.

Comm's said...

oh crap...i have a marathon in two weeks!!!

Tri-Dummy said...

What's your goal for the race?

Figure that out...then take a crap.

S. Baboo said...

Good, now focus that energy :-)

It's nothin but a day Bigun, marathon, Ironman, just a long workout. You get in the best training you can but there is nothing better you can do for yourself than showing up healthy and happy. You may not set any records but you will enjoy yourself.

Taconite Boy said...

SLAP

snap out of it. Tac says you'll be fine. Marathon..its a four(well your case five) hour brick except without the brick part.

SLAP,SLAP

TacBoy's .22's hurt don't they?

Your going to be iron ready as well!

ShirleyPerly said...

HalHigdon.com also has a couple 8-week training programs (multiple marathon and "Senior") for those who already have a good endurance base from another marathon (or other endurance event, like the 1/2 Iron you did recently). As is, they may not lead to a PR, but with 4 extra weeks added on, you can either build up to it more gradually or get in another 20-miler. You can also add some speed work to the shorter runs. I think you'll be surprised what you can do in 12 weeks.

Good luck!

Brent Buckner said...

Yes, you can do this.

It's *always* later than we think.

IronTriTim said...

12 weeks, plenty of time, now 30 weeks from an ironman theres something to panic about!!

Steve Stenzel said...

"Oh Crap" is right! Good luck getting that one in!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Dude -

Most of the boggy peeps are incredibly positive and motivating...but this is me and you won't get any of that here.

After a careful review of your online training log my best advice is to start at a weekly mileage of 15 miles and gradually build to 35 maybe 2 weeks before the race. Start with a long run of 5 miles and gradually build to 16 miles (or more if you can).

Take a rest week of 50-75% of the previous week every third week and one taper week of 50% right before the race.

Hal Higdon says that 35 mile a week is enough to finish a marathon. Bill trusts his advice and we all know Bill's stance on stupid people so I guess we can assume Hal is smart.

The Hansons say 16 mile long runs are adequate. I'd shoot for 20 but don't do anything radical. Consider 16 the minimum.

You learned this procrastinating stuff at West Point didn't you? Next thing you know you'll revert to the practice of taking naps in the middle of the day.

If I was a bloggy peep I'd close with: "Run with your heart Bigun and I know you’ll have a BQ race!"

I'm a realist so I simply close with: I know you will succeed like you always do - now turn off you computer and go train. :^)

Anonymous said...

Hey Dude -

One thing I forgot to mention, I don't think any threshold work, intervals or repitions are advisable.

I'd do all of the runs easy. If you feel good toward the end of the 12 weeks you could probably add some marathon pace work.

G'luck.

Bolder said...

dude, i just want to say, that you've brought an incredible energy to blogland.

i'm glad you did.

that.is.all.

feel free to go about your day.

TRI-ROB said...

Hey man! I'm voting for "crying while out on the road". Done that... and its cathartic! Just make sure you take some pictures of the huge crying baby for us ok?

Seriously though... you know you'll be just fine! I'm looking forward to being out on the course at IM CDL next year as a volunteer... watching you and the rest of the Army out there... and tearing up myself...

Breathe...

Unknown said...

training....


totally overrated. remember, barney did the NYC marathon with no training.

step one, start running. step two... there is no step two.

you'll be fine.

Iron Krista, "The Dog Mom" said...

Ok, NOW you are freaking ME out. 30 weeks.... I haven't even started my 3 weeks no running :-)

Good thing my IM plan is only a 20 week schedule!

Oly said...

Dude, your the 101 champ!

IM you got it!

no worries.

Happy thanksgiving!

tri-mama said...

Oh crap is a pretty good starting place in my mind. I'd lay it out as base training for CDA- pace the mary at about 10 min miles and watch that knee- you're going to need it- Have a great Thanksgiving

Herself, the GeekGirl said...

Um,how about 2 week marathon training plans. Did you stumble across any of those?