Marathon Training Thread

[Moliere]

I'm starting my marathon training in just over a month. I had initially settled on doing the Novice 1 program from Hal Higdon, but now I'm thinking I might need something more challenging. I figured I'd just take the easiest program and use it since this is my first (and maybe last?) marathon. Anyway, I'm looking for any words of wisdom.

I'm currently running 3 times a week and getting around 13-15 miles. Last week I did a 7 mile run and I could have honestly gone another 3 miles at the same pace and maybe even done a half marathon. I bike on the weekends and get 20-35 miles biking, but I mainly bike to help the cardio while taking the stress off my legs. In other words, I'm feeling good both with my cardio and my legs.

So while I initially decided on Novice 1, I'm wondering if it might be too easy and whether I should go with Novice 2. Does anybody have experience with either of these programs? My biggest worry is too much mileage resulting in another stress fracture, but I think my change in stride and current diet have helped quite a bit in that regard.

[bluegoose]

So while I initially decided on Novice 1, I'm wondering if it might be too easy and whether I should go with Novice 2. Does anybody have experience with either of these programs? My biggest worry is too much mileage resulting in another stress fracture, but I think my change in stride and current diet have helped quite a bit in that regard.

I like the looks of the novice 2 program, personally. Even though it still only has one 20 miler, the Saturday mileage is quite a bit higher than the Novice I program. I also like the rest day before the long run for someone getting ready for their first marathon.

My first marathon I used one of the Furman Institute 3 runs per week program. I hit the starting line injury-free, but felt like I was really undertrained. As a result, I bonked at about mile 18 and really suffered the last 8 miles.

My second one I used Higdons Intermediate I program, I believe. It had quite a bit more mileage than the first program I used. I did develop some ITB issues during my 15 miler, but was able to work through them and complete most of the program enroute to my best finish of my three races.

I was mainly interested in multiple 20 mile runs, and the Inter 2 gave me 2 of them. I didn't do all of the mileage that he recommends, simply because I usually didn't have time for an 8-9 mile run mid-week. But I stuck with his Saturday schedule almost exactly, and I think it helped a ton.

[Eddie]

I'm starting my marathon training in just over a month. I had initially settled on doing the Novice 1 program from Hal Higdon, but now I'm thinking I might need something more challenging. I figured I'd just take the easiest program and use it since this is my first (and maybe last?) marathon. Anyway, I'm looking for any words of wisdom.

I'm currently running 3 times a week and getting around 13-15 miles. Last week I did a 7 mile run and I could have honestly gone another 3 miles at the same pace and maybe even done a half marathon. I bike on the weekends and get 20-35 miles biking, but I mainly bike to help the cardio while taking the stress off my legs. In other words, I'm feeling good both with my cardio and my legs.

So while I initially decided on Novice 1, I'm wondering if it might be too easy and whether I should go with Novice 2. Does anybody have experience with either of these programs? My biggest worry is too much mileage resulting in another stress fracture, but I think my change in stride and current diet have helped quite a bit in that regard.

I've only run 3 of these myself, so take this with a grain of salt - it worked for me, but your mileage may vary...

I though I was ready to put in some serious training and had planned on running 5X a week. Within the first month my legs were feeling some serious stress and I was fearing a muscle pull, so I cut out two of my runs and went to 3X (every other day, so I wasn't straining my legs two days in a row) - but with more of a plan than simply running the mileage. Essentially I was following the first, second, and fourth day of the week mileage from Higdon and dropping one of the shorter distance runs.

Here is what I would do:

Tuesday - short run. I always did speed work to begin the week. I would alternate between running intervals and just running the full distance at a pace about 45-60 seconds/mile faster than my planned race pace. Often my intervals were just 400's.

Thursday - midweek long run. I would alternate between running hills one week and running at race pace for the full run the next week.

Saturday - long run. I would run most of the distance about 60-90 seconds/mile slower than race pace. With four miles to go I would speed up to race pace. With two miles to go I would speed up to 60 seconds/mile faster than race pace. With 1 mile to go I would drop back to race pace and then I would slow down for a cool down the last half mile.

When I decided to cut back on training days I was worried about what it would do to my racing goals. But following this basic schedule I smashed my finish time goal and felt absolutely awesome at the end of the race.

I kind of think you just have to figure out what works best for you - but I decided that there is nothing wrong with modifying the basic plans out there. If your primary interest is finishing, just make sure you get in the mileage. How you do the mileage (pace, intervals, hills, etc.) will effect your time, but not if you'll finish (in my opinion).

[Eddie]

What I was intending to say but forgot is - if you are worried about too much mileage, don't feel like you can't make it on 3X a week training and only one 20 mile run.

The training and race I described above was my second. For my third I added in a fourth day of running each week, extended my longest run to 24 miles and added another 20 mile run. And with all of that I was only 3 minutes faster than when I trained 3X a week and only had one 20 mile run.

[Moliere]

Thursday - midweek long run. I would alternate between running hills one week and running at race pace for the full run the next week.

I wish I could run hills. My elevation change over my typical 4 mile route is about 10 feet.

Good info though. I think I'm going to take a stab at the Novice 2 program and if I start to wear down I'll modify it. Looks like just getting the miles in is the important part. I do want to run sub 4 hours.

[Pheidippides]

I wish I could run hills. My elevation change over my typical 4 mile route is about 10 feet.

Good info though. I think I'm going to take a stab at the Novice 2 program and if I start to wear down I'll modify it. Looks like just getting the miles in is the important part. I do want to run sub 4 hours.

Kemah bridge. You'll thank me later. BARC has organize hill runs there.

As for me, I did the Advanced 2 plan this time and it was intense. Intermediate 2 is my favorite. This time - my sixth marathon in less than three years - is the first time I've been able to make it through that program in one piece.

[Moliere]

Kemah bridge. You'll thank me later. BARC has organize hill runs there.

Kemah is one hour away, and that's with no traffic

[lambdacoug]

All this marathon training talk is motivational. Maybe I can actually get there at some point.

[Pheidippides]

Kemah is one hour away, and that's with no traffic

You going to pay the price of a marathon or no?!?!?

[Joe Public]

The hay's in the barn for St. George. I ran 23 miles for my weekend long run, and I'll now taper for two weeks. I didn't use a very high-mileage training plan, so I'm trying two weeks instead of three.

My easy goal is to finish. I figure I can do that even if I walk a lot. My medium goal is to PR, which is basically 4:20 or under. My stretch goal is to go sub-4:00; I really hope I can do that.

[Pheidippides]

The hay's in the barn for St. George. I ran 23 miles for my weekend long run, and I'll now taper for two weeks. I didn't use a very high-mileage training plan, so I'm trying two weeks instead of three.

My easy goal is to finish. I figure I can do that even if I walk a lot. My medium goal is to PR, which is basically 4:20 or under. My stretch goal is to go sub-4:00; I really hope I can do that.

Let me know how that goes. I am wondering if I should have done two instead of three this time around.

Do we have a place to meet up yet? I am doing Japanese for lunch in StG per my usual tradition and have no objection to others joining.

[Parrot Head]

I'm starting my marathon training in just over a month. I had initially settled on doing the Novice 1 program from Hal Higdon, but now I'm thinking I might need something more challenging. I figured I'd just take the easiest program and use it since this is my first (and maybe last?) marathon. Anyway, I'm looking for any words of wisdom.

I'm currently running 3 times a week and getting around 13-15 miles. Last week I did a 7 mile run and I could have honestly gone another 3 miles at the same pace and maybe even done a half marathon. I bike on the weekends and get 20-35 miles biking, but I mainly bike to help the cardio while taking the stress off my legs. In other words, I'm feeling good both with my cardio and my legs.

So while I initially decided on Novice 1, I'm wondering if it might be too easy and whether I should go with Novice 2. Does anybody have experience with either of these programs? My biggest worry is too much mileage resulting in another stress fracture, but I think my change in stride and current diet have helped quite a bit in that regard.

I wish I could run hills. My elevation change over my typical 4 mile route is about 10 feet.

Good info though. I think I'm going to take a stab at the Novice 2 program and if I start to wear down I'll modify it. Looks like just getting the miles in is the important part. I do want to run sub 4 hours.

From reading this thread and another few books and articles, etc, I'm feeling pumped for the challenge, too, and think the Nov 2 sounds more in line with what I want to achieve. Now I just have to find an event in the late winter/early spring that gets me going. Looking for a Saturday race is tough, especially when I'm looking for a fun, good-sized race.

For hills, I read a suggestion to run the ramps in a parking garage. I'm not sure of your work situation, but that might be a viable alternative.

[Pheidippides]

I'm a wreck today and for the remainder of the week. Last run this morning.

[Joe Public]

I'm a wreck today and for the remainder of the week. Last run this morning.

Nothing until race day?

I have four miles today and five tomorrow; the five might turn into three if my legs keep feeling heavy. I think Higdon gave me one day of rest before the marathon last time. This time, I have one day of rest on Thursday and a brief 2-mile run the day before. I tried this for the Disney half (rest two days before and a very short run the day before), and I liked how I felt.

[Pheidippides]

Nothing until race day?

I have four miles today and five tomorrow; the five might turn into three if my legs keep feeling heavy. I think Higdon gave me one day of rest before the marathon last time. This time, I have one day of rest on Thursday and a brief 2-mile run the day before. I tried this for the Disney half (rest two days before and a very short run the day before), and I liked how I felt.

I have a short run Friday but that's it.