Same Time, Same Channel

Warning, rant alert. OH! These low mileage freaks drive me nuts. Partly, because it's never "hope that works for you, but what I like is ---." It's always "you shouldn't!" And it OFTEN comes from these overweight triathlon folks who think that they know all about running from their little 3 milers.

Sorry to rant, but I have run into so many people like this. And they say to me exactly what she said to you. You'll get injured. Well, I've never been injured, but that doesn't seem to matter to them. If we were slender, muscular young guys they would leave us alone. But we are too much like them and I think they find it threatening. I have never once advised someone about mileage unless they asked me for my opinion, nor would I ever do so. It's just rude.

NO ONE who has researched distance running success stories would agree with her. The occasional runner who gets by and performs well with low mileage is typically 1) the exception by far, 2)under age 35 3) has some kind of history with running in H.S./College and 4) is genetically gifted. (Or, their only goal is always "to finish.") Bravo to them, but totally unrealistic for the rest of us. Whoever her coach is, I would challenge him/her to name a single marathon program NOT aimed at beginners that recommends less miles than you are running. It's absurd. And no, you are not a beginner Carolyn, because you have been smart and built up the miles first. 173 miles this month! "Beginner" was me trying to run my first marathon on 60-90 mpm. By May, you will be in such great shape.

OK, now that I've had my therapy session, let me just encourage you to keep right on doing what you are doing, which is building a wonderful aerobic base for your marathon training. Trust the experts and see this nut for what she is, an amateur wanna be who is not willing to put in the hard work.

I expect that this coworker will have a slow, miserable marathon or not run it at all. I expect that in either case she will tell you that her (insert name of any typical running injury here) flared up and that is the cause for her lack of success, or not finishing, or canceling it altogether.

Good for you sticking - graciously - to your convictions!

Thanks for the rant and for supporting me in the approach I have decided to take. I want to tell her that I thought that running every day actually helps you avoid injury. I should have. Maybe I will, next time I talk to her.

I really feel like I'm doing the right thing.

What a strange comment to make. How many miles per week would she recommend? 15?

You are doing the right thing--every day I get the notification on your blog and it's clear you are putting in the work to be able to run your marathon the best you can. I'm jealous! You work so hard.

If you go from nothing to 40 miles a week, okay, you may get injured, but you've been building appropriately. I find it hard to believe that any coach would advocate fewer miles per week. I wish I had been better about my mileage in my training and I know you'll do great, especially because you are training the right way.

I think you're doing AWESOME, Carolyn. I think you're preparing just like you should. Those low mileage approaches have always freaked me out. It just doesn't seem like the healthy way to go about it. Granted I'm not doing high mileage months, but I still feel that it's the safer way - especially if your body is responding well to the training.

Wow, Snoqualmie! That's a pretty impressed rant! I think I'll stay on your good side. ;o)

Thank you all for your support and encouragement!