Importance of speed work

[JustDeDe]

For someone who doesn't give 2 cares about how fast she completes her 1st marathon (in 5 weeks!), how important is speed work during the training process?

I'd never been "a runner" until May of this year when I got all caught up in a Team-in-Training rally and signed up to do a full marathon this fall. I actually signed up for a century ride (100 mi bike ride) as well, so have been trying to train for both. I completed the ride a couple of weeks ago so only have to worry about the run now.

I'm pretty sure I hate long-distance running now, but hate giving up far more, so am staying committed to finishing the bloody marathon. I don't, however, care how long it takes me to get to the finish line. I've been following the schedule outlined by the Smart Coach program on the Runner's World site, but really struggle with the speed work runs. Not only does my body seem to rebel against them, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why they are important if I'm not trying to improve my pace or race time.

I've asked a couple of coaches and all they tell me is "Oh, you need to do those. They're very important." When I ask why, they only repeat themselves or mention improving my pace.

Anyone else have any OTHER ideas?

[BigWillie]

Originally Posted by JustDeDe

For someone who doesn't give 2 cares about how fast she completes her 1st marathon (in 5 weeks!), how important is speed work during the training process?

If your goal is to only just complete a marathon, I'd say speedwork isn't necessary at all. More important is time on your feet.

For my first (Portland 2000, 4:26 mins) I simply made sure I did long runs. I did no speedwork for my first one.

To be competitive for a specific time, on the other hand, you'll need it.
Are you shooting for a specific time?

Have you ever done a 12 miler? If you can do 12 miles, you can do 26.2.

[JustDeDe]

Thanks a million, BigWillie, for your reply! I'm doing Portland, too. I don't have a specific time in mind, just "my best." And maybe "before dark." LOL

Yes, I've done 12, 13, 14, 16, 18. The 18 I had to do in the gym on the treadmill because it was so incredibly hot outside with nights that didn't cool down much. Still, all of my long runs have gone well with no pain or injuries and stiffness that I can work out in a day or two.

This weekend is going to be 20 - the longest of the training runs. I think I do another 18 and another 20 before race day, and I'm completely confident I can complete them without needing to walk at all.

Thanks again for your response. I really appreciate the reassurance.

[BigWillie]

Portland is a good first marathon. The course is relatively flat.

Expect rain, though.

[yj1tm2pl3]

I thought she thought why quick insane like this I and she is in luck together actually meets the topic I have not looked her to me to have favorable impression yesterday to see her and male walks me good bothersome dispirited one day of college entrance examination on more than 5 month of me not to have the tense feeling to think but actually daily today as soon as her I was all game gold tired of the mother to request 400-500 then on to me to assist well greatly also absolutely let me have well work I actually in dispirited I to look in the textbook 5 minutes must remember her me to be very confused I to want with her to say gave up looking saw today installed to her me has not been seeingPasses through when she has not managed my me actually to think that her I want to cry to want to listen to the song well read listens to song that female really not like this to you!!! Do not think her, is not worth, why to hang to death on a tree, she pays no atte,buy dofus otherwise the present might die. refuels, these people are the eye mist!in I also had a mind the words to want saying that was very bothersome, all schoolmates the ash metown, my person this long vacation, kamas buymy mother too has been parsimonious has not let on me e Private school, our privately established and the illimeter difference will be many, enters rivately later to come out is in the society the upper formation, really called “the healthy development” wonderful, but she dies now is not willing to draw cash dofus gold, I had to read very bad public, the good public people were full. Other schoolmate, has well public reads, may return to one's old home, I? Mother 25 only then has a vacation, dies cannot see her, my anything does not have, the hand is also injured very much seriously, in the family was the loot has died, the piano had one week not to practice, the compunction, certainly was very not at heart ripe. Entire does not have the hope dispirited life. After beginning school, the result is certainly very bad. Not good schoolmate.

[GG300]

Huh?