Base issues

I had two very good runs this past weekend, both quite fast (one intentional, one less so). Saturday hammered the CCT for 10 miles in 51 minutes, Sunday did 11 on Sligo/NW Branch in 60 minutes. So much for long slow distance.

It has me thinking of my central problem with my marathons over the last few years and my inability to break the 3 hour barrier when, as Coach J has repeatedly noted, I should, based on my God-given speed, be turning in 2:40 or 2:45 marathons, instead of 3:10 or 3:15. The issue is lack of serious base -- say 80 mpw or more -- which becomes clear at mile 16 or so in every marathon I run.

The problem is the reconstructed knees can handle about 60 mpw (and handle them fast) but not much more. I have never run longer than 18 as a long run in leadup to any marathon. If I want to break through the 3 hour barrier -- and I do [this is not about Boston qualifying, I've been there, done that, enjoyed the nor'easter] -- than I will need to add 20 to 30 miles each week to the base. Otherwise I'm going to be a good 5k and 10k road racer, and a 3:10 marathoner for a while. I do recall that it was many, many consecutive weeks of 100+ mpw in college that bought me two rebuilt knees and an early end to my competitive running phase, and I don't want to revisit THAT experience.

I am grateful that my native speed has held, and I enjoy very much going out on a Saturday morning and hammering 10. And if I'm not willing to push the base, I'm not going to gain the endurance necessary to blow open a marathon. Argh.