How To Stop The Run On Madden 12?

Last long run of marathon training bungled - what to do?

• I have run and finished two marathons, and am 13 weeks into training for my 3rd. My mileage has peaked at about 45 miles per week, and before this last weekend I had done 5 long runs, ranging from 18 to 21 miles in length. This weekend I tried to do my final long run, and I wanted to go at least 22 miles. Weather concerns dictated that Sunday was the day to do it - the only day in the vicinity without rain. The problem, though, was wind - strong winds gusting up to 25 mph. About 12 miles into my run yesterday, I was already feeling pretty tired. Two miles later, as I turned to head into a strong gusting wind, I decided I should stop. I already felt like I'd run 18 or 20 miles, because of the added strain of the wind, and psychologically I was just defeated. Nonetheless, I headed to the gym and spent about 35 minutes on the elliptical machine to try and make up for some of the lost mileage. So, my last long run technically wasn't 'long.' It was only 14 miles, plus some elliptical time. The race is in 3 weeks. Will I still be okay to run a marathon, if I've only done 5 long runs, and the last one was 5 weeks before the race? Or should I attempt another final long run next weekend, two weeks before the race? I've heard that can be counterproductive, because the benefits of long runs aren't realized until about 18 days after you run them. I'm wondering if I should consider switching to a half marathon for this race. It seems like a choice between running a marathon and not quite feeling like I did the required training, or running a really kick-*** half marathon. Obviously, the latter idea has its appeal.

• Answer:

  You should be fine. If you really feel you need to put in a 22 miler then do it ASAP so you have at least 21 days to recover from it and give a chance for the adaptations to kick in. Unless you are looking for a podium finish it won't make that big a physiological difference anyway. Your body can already take the pounding and your energy systems are well conditioned enough to go the distance. A 22 miler is often just psychological icing on the blueberry tart (and generally avoided by Ironman distance training as the recovery time takes waaaay too long for anything longer than 18 miles.) If wind and psychological issues are going to cause problems you might try a heart rate monitor so that you can monitor and moderate your actual levels of exertion rather than basing your strategy on perceived exertion (wind in your face, hills, etc.)