LSD for you and me

Taking advantage of almost-perfect weather (sunny, light wind, temp in 40s and 50s), I ran my final long run before the Colorado Marathon on Thursday.  Went slow and easy--two minutes slower than projected marathon race pace--and had no problems.  Today, I did a brisk hike for recovery/cross training.  Saturday's schedule calls for a one-hour maintenance run and Sunday is more cross training.  The three-week taper to the May 6 marathon has begun here in Hog Heaven.  

Since yesterday was another long, long run, I decided to re-visit the LSD debate once again.  On the one side are writers/coaches like Jeff Galloway (Olympian, writer, and running shoe entrepreneur) who advocate for lengthy, slow and easy, long runs.  Galloway claims that by extending the long run to 26 miles, runners can expect to improve their marathon times by 10 to 20 minutes.  See Galloway's marathon training guide, Marathon: You Can Do It!

On the other hand are writers/coaches like Jeff Gaudette (2:22 marathoner and coach) who argue that long runs over 18 miles are not necessary for the average marathoner.  For Jeff's views see here: http://runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/marathon-long-runs/

Another Jeff, Jeff Horowitz, also contends that long runs over 18 miles are not necessary for good marathon performance.  He would substitute the extra-long runs with more intense running and more cross-training.  For Jeff's program, see his training guide, Smart Marathon Training.

I'm not taking sides.  I do what seems to work best for me.  Like most things in running (shoe choice, nutrition, etc.), there is no one-size-fits-all training regimen.  Experiment and find what works for you. 

Here's another excellent piece on the late Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/track_field/wires/04/02/2080.ap.ath.missing.runner.2nd.ld.writethru.0856/index.html

The Associated Press has reported that friends of True have set up a foundation that will continue his work to aid the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyon.  One of those efforts, the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon that True started in 2003, will continue in 2013 with the support of the foundation.  See story here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/foundation-formed-to-keep-alive-runner-micah-trues-ultra-marathon-in-copper-canyon/2012/04/09/gIQAtSje6S_story.html

An autopsy has been completed, but results haven't been reported.

If you're near a computer Monday, you can stream the Boston Marathon live from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET) at UniversalSports.com.  It's sponsored by Timex and it's free.  For more, see here: http://running.competitor.com/2012/04/news/timex-sponsoring-live-stream-of-boston-marathon_50624