20 or 22 for final long run?

[noisemaker2]

I'm looking ahead to next weekend, my final long run for my marathon training.  The schedule has me doing 20.  I'm considering 22.  My reason for considering it is mostly the mental boost it offers for me to know I can do it, that I only have 4 more to go on race day.  I finished my 20 feeling ok last weekend, but kind of scared at the thought of needing to do 6.2 more.  But the potential downside is injury--22 would take me about 3:45 at long run pace--and the negative mental energy if it's a bad run.  If I do another 20, I will likely try to put some miles at goal pace near the end, just to increase the challenge, get a feel for that, etc. 

Potentially useful info:  This is my second marathon. I tend to fade on my long runs, but did ok with pretty even splits on my 20.  My other LRs this cycle have been a couple 14s, 15, 17, 18, and 20.  My peak weekly mileage is in low 40s, average in 30s. 

So, wwhfd?  20 or 22 as a last run? 

[kams]

I did 22 as my longest run for my first marathon, and 20 for my longest for my 2nd marathon. My 2nd marathon was a 26 minute PR. I personally would push some tempo at the end of your 20 rather than ease through 22. But, training is so personal, and if you feel like 22 will benefit you more, then I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

ETA: yeah - i sort of spaced the ratio of long run to weekly mileage. Good thing there are ladies that are so much smarter and more experienced around here - sometimes I don't know why I chime in, ha!

[gumi]

I wouldn't want my long run to be more than half of my weekly mileage like that, TBH. I'd stick to the plan.

[clseale]

I always do 22, but it's built into my plan, and typically 1/3 of that week's mileage. I like to have the 22, but it's definitely not a make or break thing. If the choices are to survive the 22, or run the 20 w/some final miles at MP, I'd go with the 20 miler.

[cinco]

I go by time, not distance, for my longest run in the cycle. My last couple training cycles it has been around 21ish miles.

[texassmith]

I did 20 this time (my first marathon). In the future, I think I'd like to go up to 22.

[noisemaker2]

Thanks all. I appreciate the different perspectives!

[jamalynn]

I am training for my 1st marathon and my plan has me doing two 20 milers and one 22 miler. My first 20 is this Friday (eeeek). I hope to get my 22 miler in because like many people it's more mental than anything else. Good luck!