Question:How sensible is it to run a marathon middle of February and do the
big one beginning of April?
Or should I rather run a qualifying marathon in December? Is a six months
training preparation possible? Or should I rather forget the longer marathon
and run it in the year 2000?
Answer:
I'm a 44 year old female with two years of running experience. After my
first marathon last September I had the post-marathon-blues and an injury
and only raced again in April (half-marathon). I got orthotics beginning of
May and am now back to 5 miles of running 4-5 times a week. I also swim
three times a week and do weights twice a week. I would say I am pretty fit.
Here is my question: I want to run the Two Oceans Marathon (56 km, fairly
hilly) here in Cape Town next April. For this I have to qualify in a
marathon. How sensible is it to run a marathon middle of February and do the
big one beginning of April?
Or should I rather run a qualifying marathon in December? Is a six months
training preparation possible? Or should I rather forget the longer marathon
and run it in the year 2000?
If you have the base to do the marathon in a time to qualify by
February, recovery by the beginning of April should be no problem.
You don't say what time you need in the marathon to qualify for the
ultra. Assuming you think you are capable of making that time, I beleive
you have plenty of time between now and the marathon to prepare. You
need to increase your weekly milage - SLOWLY - to at least 50 miles a
week minimum, including hill work and speed work. If you get through the
marathon, you will find the ultra, in some respects, easier. Look at the
marathon as a tune-up and start your taper 2-3 weeks before the ultra
and you should be in peak running condition by the first of April.
