Stay the course…
Don’t change horses midstream…
Dance with the one that brought you…
***
On October 3rd, 2010, I ran the fastest 26.2 miles of my life. My 3:19:19 at the Smuttynose Marathon qualified me for Boston 2011 and at least got me in the registration door for Boston 2012 (though ultimately I fell 33 seconds short of having my application accepted). To get there I followed Pfitzingers 12/55 (12 weeks, peaking at 55 miles per week) plan out of his book, Advanced Marathoning. Every subsequent marathon that I have run I have tried to follow one of Pfitzinger’s plans, be it the 12/55, the 12/70 or, most recently, the 18/55. When people have asked for advice on how they can improve their marathon times, I’ve directed them to the book. It really works.
But something happened to me last summer – call it burn out or fatigue, my body needed a break. I just wasn’t listening. I kept thinking that if I just continued to push myself, I’d break out of my funk. Marathon after marathon, I set out to follow the Pfitz plan.
But I would miss a workout.
And then another.
And another.
My next three marathons came in at 3:26, 3:43 and my one and only DNF. By the time training for New York City ’11 rolled around, I decided I was just going to run for fun. I just couldn’t bring myself to hitting every run set out in the Pfitz plan. 5 to 6 days a week of running is not easy, especially when you’re in full burnout mode.
***
After New York, my running became even more haphazard. I convinced myself I wanted to get back to Boston, so I searched for a fast, Spring marathon. I set my eyes on Sugarloaf.
A little over 6 weeks ago, I began the Pfitz 18/55 plan. I had to drag myself through the workouts from the very start.
Not good.
By sage buddy Mike suggested that I spend 6 weeks rebuilding my base and then follow the 12/55 plan. As wise as his advice was, I was happier with the concept that I wouldn’t be required to run 4 – 5 times a week than the idea of pushing off the start of my training.
My wheels were spinning.
Then, about a week and a half ago, Mike inadvertently passed along another golden nugget my way. He suggested that I take a look at the Furman FIRST program – essentially it is a Run Less, Run Faster program. The key to the program is that there are only 3 runs per week – a speed workout, a tempo run and a long run. Running is not allowed on any other day. Cross-training on two other days is recommended. Every run is based on one’s 1oK race pace. I was particularly intrigued by the concept that long run needed to be run at 55 – 75 seconds slower than 10K pace – read that again – that’s a good 30 – 75 seconds faster than every other program I’ve followed.
***
Now, I know one is not supposed to change horses midstream and should dance with the one that brought ya, but I have also come to realize that the Pfitz program just wasn’t doing it for me anymore – I had just been unwilling to accept that. I still believe in the Pfitz program and I still would recommend it to anybody who has the commitment and drive to run 5 days a week. I’ve just come to a place where I realize that my body needs the cross-training but it can’t take the constant pounding 7 days a week.
The turning point for me was this last Saturday when I struggled through my run but felt a spark at the end. That’s when I decided that I still had the desire to re-qualify for Boston. At the end of the run I went back and read over the FIRST program again. The more I read, the more excited I got.
I know I am jumping in late on the program – it is a 16 week program and there are now less than 12 week until Sugarloaf, but for the first time in a long time, I believe!
I believe!!!
On Tuesday I had my first speed workout – 10 x 400 meter intervals at 10K pace minus 55-60 seconds. I hit every interval at under 6:00 pace, the last one at better than 5:45 pace. Yesterday I put in 1000 yards in the pool. This morning I have a 5-mile tempo run at 10K + 15-20 seconds pace. The first real test will come this weekend when I put in my first long run of the program – 14 miles at just under 8:00 pace.
We’ll see how I feel after that run, but for right now, at this moment, I believe again…
…I have my plan…
…and I’m glad to be changing horses.
Run Luau Run 
Change is good, I say it to my patients all the time! So good for you that you are changing mid stream, changing lanes, changing horses, just changing!!
It sounds like you are in touch with your emotional and physical resources — I think you are okay with this different horse! For what it is worth coming from a back of the packer (getting closer to the middle) still working toward a sub 10 minute mile, I am a HUGE believer in cross training. I run three days a week (a “regular,” intervals, and a longer), completely rest one day, and cross train the other three. Core yoga (I am convinced) is strengthening my “engine” as well as helping make me better able to fend off injury. If this new horse helps you stay sparked, ride it.
I think what’s important to keep in mind is that this is not your first dance, not even your second or third. Whether you realize it or not, you are an experienced marathoner, so I think you’re qualified to pick the tune you want to dance to and change your mind along the way if you so choose – you know the moves.
The time requirement for training for a mary is tough and with little or no break between training from one to the next, well, yeah, that’s a perfect recipe for burnout. I’ve been following Hal Higdon’s training schedules and one of the things he says, and quotes other saying, is that you shouldn’t starting training for the next marathon until you’ve forgotten the last one. As with everything, the relevance of these little training tidbits are, well, relative, but, in my case, I think it applies. I just did my third mary which was a little too close to my last one in Oct. and what really started to hit me was that I run because I enjoy running, but this last time around I found myself just looking for it to be over. Training for a marathon is great and has definitely made me a better runner, but constantly following a plan (as I think you must to successfully complete a mary) can take the joy out of running.
I know you’ll make the most of what you’ve got, it’s one of your strengths, so go get some.
I had noticed your workouts on DM seemed strong lately. Must be the change in training plans. I just purchased the Advanced Marathoning book and am looking forward to using the 12/55 plan for an early June race. I’ve heard about the FIRST program, but have trouble with the lower mileage. I read so much about running a lot of miles to get faster. I’m glad you found something that is right for you at this time. I look forward to following your training and seeing how well it works for you. Have fun!
Good luck man. The right program is just the one that keeps you motivated to keep hitting it. I don’t know if you’ll get a BQ or not (and if you don’t, I never mentioned anything!), but it’s good to see you get a spark back. And definitely keep doing the cross-training – those sessions are supposed to serve as your general aerobic conditioning. If you can’t get to the gym for a swim or bike, go zone out on your elliptical for awhile. And enjoy the rest days too – those runs are hard. Oh and eat a little extra dark chocolate and drink a lot of green tea too. I realize we’re getting into “ancient aliens” territory here, but with only 12 weeks left, you gotta take whatever extreme measures you can. I mean, I’m not saying it’s aliens, but it’s aliens.