www.ArkansasRRCA.com

To: Little Rock Marathon
From: LRM Rookie

I peaked last week with a 40-mile week. Longest run was 23.5 3 week taper has begun. I am ready for that 5K speedbump between the Capitol and Lookout Drive. Its the 5 Miles of Boredom from 18-23 (Bermuda Triangle of LRM) that worries me.

I would love to hear other "Peaking and Tapering" Tales..
After last weekend's 23.5, It felt like a huge Albatross flew off my shoulders. RELIEF.. ITS Over. bring on LRM...

ps: Goal #1: Finish Goal #2: Sub 3:00

I must say that this is most unorthodox, but quite possibly the secret behind your speed and success. How long have you been training with large birds on your shoulders? An albatross is quite a sizable bird, and I would like to work up to that sometime, but it seems like too large of a bird to start with. Would it be beneficial for me to start with a cockatiel or perhaps a parakeet?

I would assume from goal #2 that this ain't your first rodeo so you will be fine...me on the other hand....first marathon and like an idiot I set a goal other than finish...sub 4:00. If anyone sees a dead body around mile marker 24 just let my family know....

Anyone out there taking on the relays of LRM or has anyone done one before? Please share your stories of how they worked out and how they are judged. Thanks.

Lisa aka Pink Panther

I've done the relays twice.

To: LRM Rookie
From: LRM "Old" Pro

Having done all 8 previous LRM's and learned practically nothing - I am qualified to give great "advice". The one thing that I will assert for fact is that you have now entered the hardest part of the trining regiment. As you cut back on miles your mind will try to convince you that you are losing ground and fitness. IGONRE YOUR MIND. (Even though I only have half a mind I still don't have success with this point- so do as I say not as I do)

You don't say what your goal is so that makes advice on no man's land hard to give. (yeah I know it's no - person's land for the PC crowd). Anyway, the field does get a little strung out at that point for probably 3:45 and under. If you can find a pace group and stay with them that helps with the boredom of those miles or find someone going your pace. Also, you can come up on some folks who started early or are doing the relay and trying to pick them off sometimes helps me on that stretch.

Maybe Howard or Marathon Boy can chime in here as well since they have also done all 8. At any rate - taper wisely and remember that "Less is More" for the next 2 weeks.

Good luck.

Hey Judge,
I thought Aspel always says increase the mileage?
Before a race
After a race
After an injury
During recovery of an injury
If you feel tight
Have the flu
More is always better.

Me giving advice to Lenser on running is about like a preacher giving me advice of which Hooters to go to

I'm tapering this week,,I'll run 4 or 5 miles the next 3 days,,off Friday,,then 8 Sat,,then 4,4,3 next week,,off Thur, Fri, Sat. Drink water like a fish friday and Saturday. Rest my legs Saturday. Get up about 5 in the morning Sunday,eat a powerbar,,drink 20 oz of water,,take a gel 15 minutes before the start. Like DhMac said, less is more,,REST!!!!!!!!!!!! REST!!! Stay off your feet Saturday,,watch a movie on TV. It is a Bermuda triangle out at Murray Park. It is definitely a mental thing out there. I'm not sure how good it is to look across at the people on the other side on your way back in. Hopefuly we will have good weather, if so, I can see Lenser sub 3:00 My perfect goal is sub 3:30 I'll be satisfied with 3:35 ....anything over 3:50....

Kaitlin's running 10+ miles a day plus speed work since the 15k. She is running the Half Marathon,does she need to taper?

For two weeks she's running 100+ miles to raise money for the Rice Depot to feed children in Arkansas. If you want to sponsor or donate drop me a line .

I wish I had seen Kims post before the HalfMar in Texarkana! After spending almost 10 hours in the car Saturday, getting about 3 hrs of sleep, then driving to Texarkana while knocking down the diet cokes one after another for the caffeine, I had my first experience with dehydration since a couple years ago at the LR Mar. Still haven't run since last Sun. Chills at night, and sore as $&^@#!!! Definately learned a lesson about hydration and getting old!!! Good luck at the Marathon!!!!

Ok...TTD remember I ran in the 2.20's totally different taper than what these lads are looking for...

I believe you were at a little different level, and a little younger!

True...but younger or older TAPERING is still the last as it was back then....

Sidewinder, if you told them the running and training you and Plummer used to do, they probably wouldn't believe it! As I recall you guys did almost a marathon for a long run most every week! Fill em in on some of your and Plummers more memorable runs from the mid and late 80's. It'll blow their mind!!!