Question:
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 following year?
Answer:
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.
