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Mary R's Season Planning Prep

Mary RussoMary Russo
in Coaching Forum 🧢

Hi Coach,

I joined EN after completing Eagleman back in 2013. I was not satisfied with my result and mainly it was my run. I enjoy the training plans, the challenges and everything about the club. Last year, you guys got me to the start and finish at IMLP. I am extremely grateful. Thing is...my runs still stink in races. I got back from San Juan and put the race results from 70.3s in a spreadsheet. I tried to attach the excel file but got an error message saying that file type isn't allowed.

Anyway, my run times stink....i have tweaked nutrition on the bike, started using a power meter, and i am not really sure why my run times are so  slow. I run a half marathon in 2:15 - 2:30 but my half ironman runs come in closer to 3 hours (or more). What is going on and how can i get better?

Comments

  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    I clicked on this accidently but that San Juan run course is hard so PR HIM runs are not happening there. Just sayin'
  • Mary RussoMary Russo
    Thanks Rob,
    I know it was hard and it was hot. My HR was crazy so I just protected it.
    Still, I have to wonder, what is not preparing me for race day. The training is solid, lots of brick work but it isn't showing on race day.
    Is it possible that I am not responding to the training plans?
    Am I screwing something up? I feel like I work so hard and then race day comes and it does not bring the rewards I was expecting.
    How should I be reviewing my workout data to identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement?
    And/or what should my plan really be? Am I being unrealistic to think I should be able to run 11 or 11:30 min/mi splits?
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Hi Mary,

    Thanks for the discussion. I think we need more detail to help you:

    • Did your run testing times / VDot improve over the course of your training? 
    • What is your VDot and how did it compare to this run split?
    • What plans have you been in recently?
    • Can you write up a race report for us so we can see more detail? The harder the race, especially the run, the more it becomes about race execution. It's common for people to think the source of poor race performances is fitness when in fact race execution is often the first place to look. 
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