Last week I shared the details of each of my runs, and any other training, via Instagram with the hashtag #mytrainingweek. I don’t often post the nitty gritty of what training I’m doing because I’m not sure how useful or interesting it is. But I wanted to show an example of what my week looks like for a reason.
We all know the sort of person that stands behind us at the start of a race and brags to their mate about how they haven’t trained for it, and how they’re probably going to ‘suffer’. I have no time for these people. I try to move away from them in the crowd and hope that I don’t cross paths with them later down the course.
I don’t believe that you always have to go all guns blazing and chase down a PB in races. I’ve run more marathons for fun than I have for PB hunting. But I do think you should respect the distance and respect those around you for whom this race is a big deal.
We all have ups and downs in our training, and sometimes we’re not able to prepare as well as we’d like for our next challenge. But lack of training isn’t something to boast about. And I’d go so far as to say that it’s irresponsible.
‘Training’ and ‘not training’ look very different to different people. If I wasn’t in full-on marathon training, my week would still look pretty similar to how it does now. I’d run less miles and less often, but I’d probably clock up four runs totaling more than 20 miles a week, because I like running.
So if, as has happened in the past, I was asked to run a marathon or half-marathon at short notice, I’m pretty confident that with some regular running in my legs and a solid background running marathons, that I’d be able to run it without causing myself a mischief. I wouldn’t have specifically trained for this event, but I’d have been running regularly.
For me to then stand at the start telling anyone who’d listen that I hadn’t trained would be misleading. And for some of those around me, the race represents a big challenge that’s taken a lot of preparation – I don’t want to undermine what they’re about to do.
What’s more, for me to then come on this blog and say that I’d run a marathon without training would be irresponsible. I want to encourage runners to push their limits and take on bigger challenges – but I want to encourage them to prepare for them properly and not to think they can just wing it.
The stories that inspire me aren’t those of someone turning up to marathon without any training and gritting their teeth to a decent time. The stories that inspire me are those of runners who show up week after week and put in the training to meet their goals. Runners like Autumn and my friend Cathy who put their goals out there and work hard to get them. And when things don’t go their way, who don’t hide their disappointment behind excuses.
I want to run a 3:30 marathon in October. I don’t know yet if it will happen, but I’m working hard to get there.
If you’ve missed my musings on this marathon training cycle, you can catch them all here:
UPDATES: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE.
Great post Laura. While I’ve learned that being slightly undertrained is better than overtrained, I would never attempt a marathon distance without some serious training. I trained for Paris marathon in 7 weeks, but wouldn’t have attempted it had I not been running for years. Good luck for your 3:30 marathon. I’d like to aim for 3:15 next year but will have to see!
Thanks Carys. I agree about under vs over. The boasting about ‘smashing’ training that usually comes before overtraining is a subject for another blog.
Great post! Am in the middle of training for my 1st marathon and taking it seriously. It can be galling to know that some of those boasting at the start line about not being prepared might still do better than I do. But hey, I can only run my own race and quite often I am old enough to be the mother of those people!
Another thing that really irks me when I am racing is people running side by side and talking incessantly. In my book, if you are talking you are not racing. OK, I know some people might be running with a mate and pacing them, or might use the race for training only. But I get really distracted by constant banter 3 feet behind me by people who are obviously finding it a walk in the park when I am really fighting to keep my pace.
I really like this Laura, thanks for posting. I agree that ‘not training’ specifically for a race looks different for everyone, it doesn’t take into account what your legs have done already, or that running might feature in a normal, not marathon training week!
I agree, Fountain. Good one.
I think it’s the same as those people who say I didn’t revise for an exam. It’s a way to put pressure on others which isn’t needed. My training is the thing at helps and makes me feel secure in knowing I can do my next challenge. All that’s thanks to my guru (aka Laura Fountain). Great post x
Great post! I wish more people would read this and take it to heart. I absolutely hate when people brag about not training (b/c bragging is really what they’re doing, just masking it as self-deprecation). IMO, the only thing more disrespectful is the people who finish a race and then turn around and run extra laps! If I consider a race too “easy” for me, I’ll make it into a challenge (like trying for a PB) or not enter at all – save the race slot for someone who has put in the time and effort and is excited about it.
Some people just love to brag and sadly, they do exist in races. But I think one good thing about having them is for us to assess ourselves also- if we are ready enough to run the race and the like. 🙂 Thumbs up for your great insights! 🙂
During one race, I saw a guy wearing a shirt that said (on the back): “if you can read this, you didn’t train either.” To this day, it makes me upset to think about, because, of course, there were THOUSANDS of people behind him, many of whom HAD trained, but were still slower than he was (myself included). In fact, I was behind him, but cruising for a HUGE PB, because I’d put in so much work in the build up. I wanted to punch him.
I’m running my first half marathon in October and certainly putting the hours (and pain) in, to prepare safely and sensibly. I am going to feel epically victorious when I cross that line after 13 ‘POINT 1’ miles and anyone who has winged it will not feel half as good 🙂
This was lovely to read. My first half is in two weeks and my first marathon is in a few months, so I’m at the early and slow stages of distance running. I gobble up so many blogs from very fast runners and so I love to see that you have respect for those who are still working towards that goal. I will be putting you in my reader!!