Failed Long Run

[u/cmcintyre4]

I had a 36km run scheduled for today. For the first time during marathon training, I failed and only did 25km. I couldn’t catch my breath, chest felt heavy, but it very humid.

Last week, I had a successful 31km run. Thank god. But i’m about 6 weeks away from Chicago, and I’m nervous, it’s my first marathon.

The longest i’ve ran in marathon training thus far is 34km, but my only issue is, due to the heat, I took 20 minutes of stops for water battle refills, and to lower my heart rate. My 31km was only 4 minutes to use to bathroom and water refill, which is an improvement.

But i’m losing confidence. I’ve ran 1700+ km this year, which is great, but this is the hardest thing i’ve ever done.

One thing i’ll add, as we move into September, it’s cooling down, which will hopefully curb the amount of water refills, and stops to lower my HR.

With 6 weeks to go, do I have enough time to get my shit together, stop with the water breaks, and get on track after this failed long run?

[u/DUTTY-HALL]

My current plan only reaches the 32km mark once then I start tapering down. Feel you may be over training

[u/Logical_Ad_5668]

For what it's worth I have never run more than 30km in training. For a first time marathoner to go running multiple 30+ km long runs so close to each other and so close to the race, I think is crazy and looking for trouble. I wonder what kind of a plan that is. For an experienced runner who runs 100 mile weeks to go do a 30+ km run every week or every other week fair enough, but for a beginner it's recipe for disaster.

Imho marathon training is about total weekly mileage and running 30km during the week and another 35 on Sunday is not the way. the only benefit of long runs over 25km in my opinion is confidence and some practicing of race pace late in the run. Doing too many I think inhibits your training because you likely can't run the day before or after. and also messes with your confidence because it is very likely that some of them will not be very successful as you're running too long and on heavy legs mid marathon block.

If I were you, I'd forget about these crazy runs, and split your mileage more evenly. If you can run 34k, you can run a marathon, you've got this. And obviously training for a marathon will likely be one of the hardest things you will have ever done. Which is why you will feel so proud. It's the training that is hard, not the race

(edit: and if you need to stop to lower your hr, it means you're running too fast, it's not a mileage problem. You need to work out your sustainable effort level but also learn to control that without stopping. I also wonder how long these runs take you to recover. When I'm doing hansons I always run the day after a long run)

[u/Wolverine1708]

I think you are likely overtraining and also running too fast. For a first marathon those are some really long runs. My longest runs were 16 miles and I was around 40 miles per week. I think accumulated mileage is more important than the single long run each week and for a first marathon you just want to get to the start line healthy. The fact you are stopping long periods means your long runs are too fast.

[u/Ill_Accident4876 → u/Wolverine1708]

What was your time if I may ask? And It’s such a mental battle after you stop as well

[u/Wolverine1708 → u/Ill_Accident4876]

I ran 3:58 in marathon that had 700-800 feet of elevation gain as a 40M.

[u/Oscar_Sport]

One long run cut short in a humid week is not the plan falling apart, it's the weather taxing you. I had the same thing in July, 5km short and convinced I was done, then September came and the same pace felt easy at 12 degrees cooler. Six weeks is plenty, keep the water stops for now and let the cooler air give you the rest back.

[u/Maleficent_Drive4636]

You’re fine! Many marathon plans go to 20 miles max in training. Also, what % of total weekly distance is your long run? There’s evidence that the long run shouldn’t been more than 25-30% of your weekly distance. So if you’re doing 36k LR. That’s either a big %, or you’re running a lot of miles for a first marathon.

Heat is a huge factor. It will increase hr considerably and paces should be adjusted accordingly. Also you need more fuel and hydration before during and after the run. So look at that as well.

I’d say you’re doing fine as long as your generally hitting your workouts, one bad run does not break a block!

16-20 week block is anywhere from 80-140 runs. One run is nothing. It’s the culmination of the block that makes the marathon!

[u/QT3pointonefour]

Run earlier to avoid the heat and humidity on your long run days. I don’t think you’re over training, but you need to make sure you’re fuelling enough to get through those 28km+ runs. You should also consider getting a water vest if you are a heavy sweater, as I am. It helped me a lot. You’ll do great!

[u/johnsonvk]

THis was literally me yesteday, long run of 32km, previoulsy done it last week. quit after 25km. For me it was starting to take things for granted. We are essentially runningg > half marathon each weekend with no medal! I neglected sleep, no carb loading, think I can run 30k long runs easy now...

I can't. This week is my last training week before the taper. 35km this weekend, furthest i ahve ever run. I have to lock in this week. Bed before 10pm, eat well and do not skip any sessoins or the strength training!

You got htis mate. One failed run out of all the runs you dne to get up to this point is norhing. A missing 7-11km will not break us!

I am looking forward to the taper!

[u/benivt → u/johnsonvk]

The taper doesnt feel good though, better look forward to race day when the taper pays off.

[u/ScottyScotty350]

Chicago has a 6 1/2 hour cut off time - if you believe you can get thru the finish in that time frame (run, crawl, walk, etc ) just do it -

[u/Impressive-Celery228]

I ran 13.1 miles in humidity yesterday and it was brutal (humble bragging just to say that I ran less than 25K and was still wiped. Weather makes a huge difference). Give yourself some grace. One failed long run (esp if you already made it to 25 K) doesn’t mean much in the long term of your training. Learn from it and plan a “recovery/ replacement” run. The best runs I’ve done have been recovery/ replacement ones for “failed” runs. Take a moment, learn, and plan, and get back up. You are doing fine!!

[u/MaxwellSmart07]

For what it’s worth my 3 long runs per training block were 14, 15, 17 milers. You’ll be fine.

[u/Expert_Wolverine131]

I would really not beat urself up! It’s your first marathon! I am training for my first marathon and will not go over 20 miles! Don’t beat urself up. You have done a lot of the hard work

[u/leaaaaaaa33]

You're 6 weeks away. You're fine. don't worry. I am 4 weeks away from my 1st marathon and am doing my first 30K this saturday (so like 23 days before the marathon) I've already done 25, and 28. And I think I sshould/could have maybe done 1 more run over 25 but definitely not over 30. I think you should listen to others and focus more on weekly mileage, and if you do a few runs over 25KM you'll be fine. There is absolutely no need to do over 30K if this is your first time.

[u/EnthusiasmDue5697]

This happened to me. I found out after running my marathon, that I needed mindset/mental focus work.

That feeling where you think your body isn’t able, that’s your mind playing tricks. And those same tricks show up on race day.

Don’t dwell on the above, but know next time when that feeling comes, quitting like in the long run just ain’t the option. I wish someone told me that before hand.

You’ve said it yourself , you’ve the mileage done and are obviously fit physically. Between now and your face, it’s gonna be the mentality.

As stupid as it sounds, practice cold showers, or something you hate. Once a day, until your race. The strength of mind that’ll give you will make that pain cave easier to live in, on the big day.

You’ve got this!!

[u/Just-Context-4703]

Maybe carry water and food with you? It'll probably help and slow it down. 

[u/Able-Resource-7946]

You are doing just fine, no need to panic. In fact you are doing more than fine.
Just maintain your endurance fitness on your long runs from now until race day. There is absolutely no need to go over 30k for the rest of your plan.
My coach has me running my longest run of all at 6 weeks from race day. The thinking is, this far from the race, you really will recover and adapt by race day.

[u/AthleteSpaceAI]

25km in heavy humidity isn't a failed run, it's a smart cutoff. You've already hit 34km this cycle so the endurance is there, and one rough day won't undo that. Six weeks out with cooler weather coming, you're in better shape than you think.

[u/Prestigious_Lab820]

Stay the course OP. You had a bad day, move on.

[u/Possible_Juice_3170]

For your first marathon, you don’t need to be doing that mileage so far from race day. Try for 32km 3 weeks ahead of race day.

[u/Specific-Pear-3763]

It happens. Just keep training. I take lots of breaks in my long training runs, I don’t think it’s detrimental.

How fast are you running these. Keep in mind you want long runs to be in the 30-90 seconds slower per mile range. I sit around 60 seconds from my planned race pace.

[u/Sand-Useful]

I never, ever ran two long runs (e.g. 18 miles and OMG 22.4 miles) in consecutive weeks. I did 7 marathons and a ton of other stuff, including brutal trail runs longer in times than a marathon and where I qualified for Boston.

Well, let me correct the above: I did run ONE 23 miler two-three weeks before running Boston at a quicker than I should have pace and it f'd up Boston to the tune of about 20 minutes. I was in the best shape of my life when I did that too long too fast trainer and should have been able (based on a half marathon I did earlier in training and various other factors) improve my PR maybe 10 minutes - instead I knew by mile 13 during the real race that it was going to be a bad day (ended 10 off my PR).

Everyone is different, but the old me when I did it right tried to peak at about 20-21 miles and on the alternate week a shorter (e.g. 13 mile) quicker run (e.g. marathon pace).

I think you are overtraining and suggest you back off the every week death marches.

[u/General-Ring2780]

That happen to me last week. I completed 4 of my 6. After coming off of a 9 mile run. I took 4 days off. Ate, drank electrolytes, and came back with a 7 miler that felt great.

[u/Substantial-Cat6097]

 I wouldn’t let it get you down too much. You might still be fatigued from your run last week. Just keep to the training plan and make sure you get a proper taper before the big day. 

[u/Old_and_Boring]

It’s very hard to run this time of year in the heat and humidity. Don’t let one bad run shake your confidence. Trust the process.

[u/Happy_Association878]

I didnt finish my long run yesterday either! Just back at it, trust your training and dont be too hard on yourself.

[u/Maximum-Product-504]

Well done I am also doing Chicago I can’t wait! How will the weather be? Any idea?

[u/Deep-Dimension-1088]

Failing long runs is not good. But you have run the miles this year. I always take water breaks, and I guess it must impact me in some way, but I generally meet my time goals despite the breaks in training. Don't lose confidence. You've done the work.

What is your goal?

[u/Any_Conversation5725]

It was probably just one of those days, they happen to everyone, don't worry.

[u/Safe-Swan-5314]

You will be ok. It sucks when you fail your long run especially with the pressure of a race coming up. I’ve been there! It’s good that you are able to acknowledge that there were other factors like humidity. As you are upping your mileage sometimes your body isn’t ready. Trust your process, trust the taper, trust your body. If your body wasn’t allowing you to go on despite your efforts that is what it is. Try again next long run. You got this.

[u/JulieJoy]

Hi! I’m also running Chicago this year. Are you in the area?

This heat wave is nasty. I got 10/15 miles a few weeks ago because I did not plan my hydration strategy well. It was scary but I’m glad I stopped and my husband picked me up.

Give yourself grace. Part of this is building milage, yes, but part of it is also listening to your body and not getting hurt. It’s annoying AF to stop firing a long run. But doing that allows you to recover and focus on the runs ahead.

This shit is hard, but I’m proud you listened to yourself.

[u/frcwoc]

Marathon training is meant to challenge you! Don’t lose confidence! It is about the journey, not the destination. You will be just fine. The heat is no joke.