"Training on LSD and Speed"

Anyone who has ever trained for a marathon or even looked into training for one has read plenty of information on the importance of the two main tenants of marathon training.  LSD(Long Slow Distance) runs and Speed work.

Speed work is not a problem.....run fast, run hard, occasionally throw up, and repeat....

LSD is what I have a tougher time with. Not so much the "L" or the "D"......but the "S"  slow- is what I have a hard time with.... I'm not saying I'm FLASH or anything.  I just have a hard time wrapping my mind  around "go slower to go faster".

I've been told that the speed work is to increase speed(obviously) and LSD's are to build endurance...makes sense right?

When I put actual numbers to it....it doesn't make sense to me....

My goal is to maintain an 8:20 pace for 26.2 miles....that would put me finishing just under 3:40 and would mean the big BQ.
So if I do all my long runs.....like I've been told, at one and a half minutes per mile slower than race pace, that would put me running my long runs at a 9:50 pace....??


Can that be right?

I would love to hear from some of you runners who have run to qualify, qualified, or just run marathons.....

Look forward to reading your input!

Thanks!!

Grace and peace,

What's that mean??

"You can never be sure. That's what makes the marathon both fearsome and fascinating. The deeper you go into the unknown, the more uncertain you become. But then you finish. And you wonder later, 'How did I do that?' This question compels you to keep making the journey from the usual to the magical."
-Joe Henderson 

60 days until I run my very first marathon...

     I haven't had any problems completing my scheduled runs, but I'm having doubts every time I lace up my shoes...that's why I love that quote...right now I feel like I'm caught in the "usual" but I have hope that my marathon journey will turn into the "magical". 

'How did I do that?' seems to be a question I'm asking myself a lot lately.  As my long runs grow longer and my "easy" runs grow a little more difficult, I seem to be struggling with my ability as a runner.

    Sunday, I completed my first ever 16 mile run. I know that's small potatoes compared to all you super marathoners, but for me it was huge! I was absolutely proud of myself for completing it and being able to cross off another marathon training run.

Distance:16.1 Mi / Time:

2:32:47/ Pace:

9:30

 I was surprised by my pace which was faster than I anticipated but felt pretty comfortable the whole time.  Here is where I am uncertain.  My goal for the marathon is or has been 4:30 which would be an average of a 10:18 pace.  Everything that I have read says to run long training runs 30-60 seconds slower than my marathon pace...so do I need to slow down? or do I need to maybe move my goal time up?

I feel a little irrational discussing it with friends especially if they aren't runners(though, I'm training to run 26.2 miles for fun...not exactly rational.)  ;)

Another thing I am uncertain about is the so-called "easy" runs.  What does that mean? I have 3 easy runs a week on my training schedule anywhere from 4-8 miles.  What does "easy" mean?  If I run it too slow I feel like I'm just getting in junk miles...

I still have about 8 weeks to experiment with my training...at least this is what it feels like, an experiment.  I'm pretty sure that Joe Henderson had it right when it comes to the marathon....'You can never be sure.'

If you're new to my blog, welcome! If you're not new, thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your comments and feedback!

Grace and peace,