The Coach's Lab
MDS 2027. The training log.
I'm applying the same principles I use with my athletes to my own return to the Marathon des Sables at 52. Follow the training, the data, what works, what doesn't, and the decisions I make along the way.
Every run is here as my watch recorded it. The figures update each morning. The short write-ups are mine, added after I've looked at the run.
- Weeks to MDS
- 26
- Miles on the plan
- 107
- Longest run
- 23.3 mi
- Heart rate cap
- 131 bpm
Week 6 · Durability Base
Week 5 · Durability Base
- Sun 27 SeptLong runOver capEfficiency held 3.3%
The planned long run, a different distance from the plan.
- Distance
- 12.1 mi
- Time
- 2h 41m
- Pace
- 13:22 /mi
- Avg HR
- 127 bpm
- Sat 26 SeptRunOver cap
The planned easy run, a different distance from the plan.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 04m
- Pace
- 12:46 /mi
- Avg HR
- 128 bpm
- Wed 23 SeptRunOver cap
The planned run, done as planned.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 05m
- Pace
- 13:00 /mi
- Avg HR
- 126 bpm
- Tue 22 SeptRunOver cap
The planned run, done as planned.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 08m
- Pace
- 13:27 /mi
- Avg HR
- 126 bpm
Week 4 · Durability Base
Week 3 · Durability Base
- Sat 12 SeptLong runOver capLate fade 6.4%
The planned long run, a different distance from the plan.
- Distance
- 11.6 mi
- Time
- 2h 38m
- Pace
- 13:38 /mi
- Avg HR
- 128 bpm
- Fri 11 SeptRunOver cap
An extra run, not on the plan.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 06m
- Pace
- 13:12 /mi
- Avg HR
- 126 bpm
- Mon 7 SeptRunOver cap
The planned easy run, done as planned.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 06m
- Pace
- 13:07 /mi
- Avg HR
- 124 bpm
Journal“Ran well no issues with back” · Easy effort
More on this run →
Week 2 · Durability Base
- Sun 6 SeptWalk
An extra run, not on the plan.
- Distance
- 2.4 mi
- Time
- 53m
- Pace
- 22:18 /mi
- Avg HR
- 89 bpm
- Mon 31 AugRunOver cap
The planned run, done as planned.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 08m
- Pace
- 13:33 /mi
- Avg HR
- 122 bpm
Journal“Hurt my lower left back at the weeks and now taking some days off” · Hard effort
More on this run →
Week 1 · Durability Base
- Thu 27 AugLong runOver capLate fade 7.5%
An extra run, not on the plan.
- Distance
- 16 mi
- Time
- 3h 46m
- Pace
- 14:11 /mi
- Avg HR
- 123 bpm
- Tue 25 AugRunOver cap
The planned easy run, a different distance from the plan.
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 03m
- Pace
- 12:37 /mi
- Avg HR
- 128 bpm
- Mon 24 AugRunOver capEfficiency held -0.2%
The planned easy run, a different distance from the plan.
- Distance
- 8.1 mi
- Time
- 1h 44m
- Pace
- 12:49 /mi
- Avg HR
- 123 bpm
Before the plan started
- Fri 21 AugLong runLate fade 6.5%
Long run, 17.5 miles
- Distance
- 17.5 mi
- Time
- 4h 04m
- Pace
- 13:57 /mi
- Avg HR
- 124 bpm
- Wed 19 AugRunEfficiency held 2.4%
Run, 6 miles
- Distance
- 6 mi
- Time
- 1h 18m
- Pace
- 12:59 /mi
- Avg HR
- 123 bpm
- Tue 18 AugRun
Run, 5 miles
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 01m
- Pace
- 12:07 /mi
- Avg HR
- 122 bpm
- Sun 16 AugLong runLate fade 10.8%
Long run, 23.3 miles
- Distance
- 23.3 mi
- Time
- 5h 31m
- Pace
- 14:13 /mi
- Avg HR
- 118 bpm
- Thu 13 AugRun
Run, 5 miles
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Time
- 1h 07m
- Pace
- 13:17 /mi
- Avg HR
- 125 bpm
- Tue 11 AugRunEfficiency held -1.4%
Run, 8 miles
- Distance
- 8 mi
- Time
- 1h 44m
- Pace
- 12:59 /mi
- Avg HR
- 126 bpm
- Sun 9 AugLong runEfficiency held 4.4%
Long run, 13.2 miles
- Distance
- 13.2 mi
- Time
- 2h 52m
- Pace
- 13:01 /mi
- Avg HR
- 124 bpm
I coach runners over 40 the same way.
Your plan, your data, read by me every week.