Editor's Note: Is running the weakest part of your triathlon? Former Olympian and 70.3 World Champ Joanna Zeiger knows a thing or two about running and racing fast so when she posted this story on her most excellent blog Fast at Forty we knew you'd appreciate her smart advice.
Even though the triathlon season is still going strong, many triathletes are long done. Bikes have been retired and swim suits are molding. It is the time of year to run. The running season is in full swing with marathons and half marathons in cities across the country.
Participating in running races is extremely beneficial for a triathlete in the throes of their off season. Many triathletes view running as their weak link. Training for a run specific race is a golden opportunity for improvement without the worry of sacrificing bike training. This is the time to work on your run form as well as increase volume, intensity and frequency of runs. This should be accomplished in a systematic manner to avoid injury (that is where a good coach can be useful).
When it comes time for race day, a plan is very important. It is very easy to ignore some obvious things because, well, it is just a running a race. That cavalier attitude can get you into trouble, though. You should approach a running race with the same precision that you execute a triathlon.
Do not ignore your race day nutrition.
My friend ran the Denver marathon as a training run for a marathon a month later (let’s ignore that this is generally not a great idea). The day before the race I asked about his nutritional plan. He had none. He was going to skip breakfast and had no gels and no salt tablets for the race. I tried to educate him about proper race day nutrition and gave him some supplies. Since he had not trained with any of these things, he became nauseous during the latter part of the run and causing bonking and cramping. A good lesson learned before the next marathon.
Marathon and to a lesser extent, half marathon, nutrition is extremely important. Since you will be running at a pace faster than your triathlon pace, your stomach will react differently than during a triathlon. It is important to determine your caloric, liquid and electrolyte needs and practice them during your training runs. Even though you will be out there for less time than a half of full Ironman, nutritional disasters still loom.
Believe me, I have stood in line at a porta-potty during a marathon (do you get to take the wait time off your final time?) and have frantically searched for the bathroom upon completion of a half marathon.
Determine your pace.
I had two athletes run half marathons over the weekend. Before the race we discussed their goal times. Both asked what I thought they could run. I countered by asking them what they thought they could run. I wanted to know if they had a realistic perception of what they could do (they did). Once we determined the mile pace, we formulated a game plan (more on that in the section below).
Undoubtedly, when you start to train for a running a race, you set a goal in your mind and tailored your training to achieve this time. Perhaps you are aiming for a PR. Maybe it is based on times from a triathlon.
In any case, your training should indicate whether this time is achievable. Did your training cohere with this objective? Were you able to execute your intervals and long runs? Is your body healthy? Training does not lie and is the single best indicator of race performance.
Set an unrealistic goal time and be prepared for a very tough race. Dropping 45 minutes off a marathon time is probably not reasonable. Starting off at this much faster pace will inevitably result in a painful last few miles.
Proper race execution: Negative split or even split whenever possible.
Your preparation is naught if you do not execute the race well. Running races are tricky for triathletes. We are not used to feeling so good. Remove the swim and bike and suddenly the legs are very fresh leading to overzealous running at the start of the race with a certain amount of fade as the miles progress. This problem is so universal a website calculates your pace for a projected finish time with the option of adjusting for this fade!
Take a lesson from elite runners. If you look at the splits from top marathoners and half marathoners, they even split or negative split their races. Check out these splits from Haile Gebrselassie’s world record in the marathon. Notice that he negative split the race and his last 5K was his fastest.
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| Courtesy of http://www.sportsscientists.com/ |
Yes, I realize these times are ridiculously fast and incomprehensible to us mere mortals. But, the idea is applicable to everyone. Running a race with even or negative splits is physically and psychologically easier. Who wants to stand at the start line hoping that today they don’t blow up and have to shuffle to the finish?
Hopefully you will now feel inspired to run. If nothing else, the logistics of a running race make the whole thing lucrative. No transitions. No bike gear. No wetsuit. What’s not to like?
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