Chasing the Unicorn-- Hanson Marathon Method Weeks One through Five

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is no easy trick.  As a 50 year old woman, I must run a certified marathon course in at least 3 hours and 55 minutes.  For some people, that might be easy; but not for me.  And the truth is, I must run faster than 3:55 by at least five minutes in order to get a spot.  This means running 26.2 miles and averaging about 8:50 per mile.  This includes potty stops and slowing to take in fuel and liquids.  As a runner more accustomed to a leisurely 10 minute mile pace, this time requirement seems almost out of reach.  

When the magical day arrives in September when crazy marathoners are all madly registering for the race, the Boston Marathon will accept only the fastest people in my age group, not just everyone with a qualifying time.  So what is a slow girl to do?

The morning of my first BQ attempt
alongside my sister Fast Girls.

Along with my running gal pals, the No Drama Mamas, a.k.a. the Fastest Girls in Town, I trained like mad from November to March.  I ran, I cycled, I swam, I did Crossfit.  I competed in half marathons to prepare.  Then, I competed in the Albany Marathon . . . and dropped out at mile 20! This was truly a humbling moment.  It was time to admit I needed help.  Time for a new plan.

Enter: The Hanson Marathon Method.  
I researched a variety of marathon training plans, and was disappointed to find that the one I was least attracted to-- a plan requiring minimal cross training and running SIX days a week-- this plan boasted more success than I could ignore.  

I have long enjoyed the benefits-- both emotionally and physically-- of cross training.  This would be different.  High mileage.  Paying attention to pace.  Weekly speed, tempo, and long runs interspersed with easy short to middle distance runs to build resilience in the legs.  It sounded like a recipe for injury, but my own training had left me beside the road at mile 20, so it was time for a new plan.  I would be running up to 60 miles a week on this plan.  If I survived to peak week fifteen.

The plan begins easily enough.  Frequent easy runs five days a week.  Then six days a week.  Then adding speed work and tempo runs on week six.  Long runs are nearly non-existent until week nine.  

I cheated early on by adding in a "long" run of ten miles and a few extra miles on easy days in order to avoid actually running less than I was used to.  The Hanson plan expressly allows this for folks who are already running more than the early weeks of the plan require.  Having just come off Ironman training last fall and marathon training through the winter, the first few weeks were fine.

And yet . . . by week four I noticed an uncomfortable fatigue in the legs and hips.  I increased my yoga practice and foam rolling to address these concerns.  I needed to nap (What?!) in the afternoon for 30 minutes between my morning and afternoon work, as well as get 7 hours of sleep at night.  I felt OLD.  

I got serious about my diet, too-- no need to carry around extra weight when running long distances. I had gained almost ten pounds over the winter, only a bit of which was muscle.  Never one to starve myself, losing weight for me means throwing out the bread, and no Hobbit days: no second breakfasts; no second suppers.  My belly deflated almost immediately.  This felt good. 

So I'm now on week Six.  I am headed to the track for a one mile warm up, 12x400 at 5K pace.  Can I do it?  Probably.  Can I go teach children's P.E. afterward?  I do have concerns . . .