My marathon is less than 20 weeks away! I've been looking online, reading magazines, taking books out from the library, hoping to find a training plan that works for me. Instead, I'm finding myself confused and overwhelmed.
A lot of plans for first time marathoners start 16-18 weeks before the marathon, recommending mileage well below what I am currently running in a week (This week I'll run 47km/29 miles). Many plans I've looked at don't include a run over 20 miles before the marathon, but I think I'll feel more comfortable and confident going into the marathon with at least one long run a bit closer to the marathon distance. Other plans for first-timers have only 4 runs a week, but I'm currently running 5 times a week (most weeks).
I know that everyone is different and different plans work for different people, for different reasons, but I'm curious to hear: How do you plan your marathon training? Can you recommend any books or websites to get me started?
I was a bit slow getting started this morning, so by the time I was ready to run the sun was shining high in the sky and it was just a bit too steamy for my liking, so I headed to the gym and onto the treadmill for my interval work out. With the incline at 0.5, I ran 5x800m. I went out a little too fast for the first one (4:03), but the rest I maintained the same, slightly slower pace (4:06?) I was pouring sweat by the end, and the last 800m felt like the longest 800m ever, but I feel great now that I'm done!
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way...totally confused! My first marathon is October 3rd and I still am not sure what marathon training plan I am going with either:( I am just a little stressed. I was hoping to start my training next week. Let me know what you decide:)
Good luck Amy and hang in there:) We will eventually figure it out:)
I've always trained with the Running Room group, and hance had an instructor and training plan. There is so much info out ther,e it can definitely be overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteI know Ha Higdon has some excellent beginner programs. I'd look there first!
I'm a big fan of Hal Higdon. I used his novice 2 plan for my first marathon and his intermediate plans for my second marathon. Both times I felt like the only thing missing was prescribed speed work, so I borrowed some from the FIRST plan this time around.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
So i have never run a marathon BUT I have followed others in their training through blogs and I have noticed a few people using the FIRST Plans and they seem really good. i have also use Hal Hidgons plans for 15k training. I think you can add more workouts/runs in if you want. The FIRST plan just gives you key workouts. Here is the website: http://www.furman.edu/first/fmtp.htm
ReplyDeleteFor a marathon since you will be adding mileage you may want to only run 4 days a week. I think you can build a plan from maybe an intermediate plan as well as a beginner plan.