Comments on: My training plan for the next few months http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/ One day at a time. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:22:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: steve http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2739 steve Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:49:43 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2739 nice plan. well thought out and it should work very well. wish we had hills in virginia beach... looking forward to following your progress, --steve steves last blog post..<a href="http://www.runbulldogrun.com/marathon-training/mcmillan-custom-marathon-plan-week-3-day-4/" rel="nofollow">McMillan Custom Marathon Plan: Week 3 Day 4</a> nice plan. well thought out and it should work very well.

wish we had hills in virginia beach…

looking forward to following your progress,

–steve

steves last blog post..McMillan Custom Marathon Plan: Week 3 Day 4

]]> By: Jeff http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2736 Jeff Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:36:48 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2736 Great plan, Andrew. I'll go out on a limb and echo what others have said -- drop down the longer distances and for sure taper as you get into the last three weeks. You should even consider eliminating that last Friday 5k. Goal is to be totally rested on race day. By the way, 2 hours would be smokin for a first half, but I'm pretty certain that's in the back (maybe not so far back) of your mind. Great plan, Andrew. I’ll go out on a limb and echo what others have said — drop down the longer distances and for sure taper as you get into the last three weeks. You should even consider eliminating that last Friday 5k. Goal is to be totally rested on race day.

By the way, 2 hours would be smokin for a first half, but I’m pretty certain that’s in the back (maybe not so far back) of your mind.

]]> By: Top Blogs that every health and fitness writer should know | AlmostFit.com http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2727 Top Blogs that every health and fitness writer should know | AlmostFit.com Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:39:32 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2727 [...] Andrew is Getting Fit. I love reading about Andrew’s progress, his ups and downs, and his honest assessments of his progress. He is also a true inspiration because he has lost so much weight (103 lbs with 17 to go, as of this moment). He hails from New Zealand, and includes photos, for which I also have a weakness. [...] [...] Andrew is Getting Fit. I love reading about Andrew’s progress, his ups and downs, and his honest assessments of his progress. He is also a true inspiration because he has lost so much weight (103 lbs with 17 to go, as of this moment). He hails from New Zealand, and includes photos, for which I also have a weakness. [...]

]]> By: AndrewE http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2725 AndrewE Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:57:24 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2725 Please do! Please do!

]]> By: AndrewE http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2724 AndrewE Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:55:24 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2724 Way to go John! It takes a while to get back into it doesn't it? Way to go John! It takes a while to get back into it doesn’t it?

]]> By: AndrewE http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2723 AndrewE Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:45:41 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2723 1. Yeah I figure I'll have to drop them down a bit. 2. Sub two hours eh. The thought did cross my mind. 3. Sounds like a good idea. 4. Hmm...sounds good. 5. Aah, my rest days are rest from running. I'm hoping to get other exercise in as well. AndrewEs last blog post..<a href="http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/17/onwards-and-upwards/" rel="nofollow">Onwards and upwards</a> 1. Yeah I figure I’ll have to drop them down a bit.
2. Sub two hours eh. The thought did cross my mind.
3. Sounds like a good idea.
4. Hmm…sounds good.
5. Aah, my rest days are rest from running. I’m hoping to get other exercise in as well.

AndrewEs last blog post..Onwards and upwards

]]> By: John's Weight Loss Blog http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2721 John's Weight Loss Blog Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:56:38 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2721 Damned impressive Andrew! I still have hopes of getting to run a 5k this year - I've just logged my second 4.1 mile walk/run of the week and I'm beginning to like the feeling again! John's Weight Loss Blogs last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/JohnIsFit/~3/335718973/" rel="nofollow">One Goal Down</a> Damned impressive Andrew! I still have hopes of getting to run a 5k this year – I’ve just logged my second 4.1 mile walk/run of the week and I’m beginning to like the feeling again!

John’s Weight Loss Blogs last blog post..One Goal Down

]]> By: AndrewE http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2720 AndrewE Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:35:25 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2720 Well, look harder! Now you're on there twice! AndrewEs last blog post..<a href="http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/" rel="nofollow">My training plan for the next few months</a> Well, look harder! Now you’re on there twice!

AndrewEs last blog post..My training plan for the next few months

]]> By: John http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2719 John Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:08:15 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2719 Hey Andrew, no big ego here, but I can't help but noticed that I am not on your list of daily reads. I presume you simply forgot to add me. Anyway, the reason I dropped by is that I thought you might be interested in my latest post. I am not sure if you've ever used a run mapping site, but I was able to get MapmyRun to do some pretty interesting stuff. Hey Andrew, no big ego here, but I can’t help but noticed that I am not on your list of daily reads. I presume you simply forgot to add me.

Anyway, the reason I dropped by is that I thought you might be interested in my latest post. I am not sure if you’ve ever used a run mapping site, but I was able to get MapmyRun to do some pretty interesting stuff.

]]> By: Kate http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2717 Kate Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:39:24 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2717 Oh, I almost forgot! I'm totally an organization freak and need to have a schedule to follow too, so I have my weekly schedules for my base building program in an excel spreadsheet if your interested, let me know, I will send it your direction. Oh, I almost forgot! I’m totally an organization freak and need to have a schedule to follow too, so I have my weekly schedules for my base building program in an excel spreadsheet if your interested, let me know, I will send it your direction.

]]> By: Kate http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2716 Kate Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:33:04 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2716 I think it looks great! And I will be following you on the training with a keen interest. The plan I will be following for my half training, I haven't quite decided between two, which one is a higher mileage, and one is a lower mileage. But I agree that doing longer "Long Runs" will make the race seem easier. I'm not going to set a time I would like to finish mine in, my goal will be to complete it, then we can start talking times ;) Here is the two plans I will choose from http://runningtimes.com/Channel.aspx?CategoryID=36 I think it looks great! And I will be following you on the training with a keen interest. The plan I will be following for my half training, I haven’t quite decided between two, which one is a higher mileage, and one is a lower mileage. But I agree that doing longer “Long Runs” will make the race seem easier.

I’m not going to set a time I would like to finish mine in, my goal will be to complete it, then we can start talking times ;)

Here is the two plans I will choose from http://runningtimes.com/Channel.aspx?CategoryID=36

]]> By: Kristin http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2715 Kristin Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:20:39 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2715 You don't need to train for a half by completing long runs that are longer than the half marathon distance. In fact, your risk of injury increases. I say this from experience. I've completed 4 half marathons. Your longest training run should probably be about 10 miles. I like the idea of incorporating races into your training program. You don’t need to train for a half by completing long runs that are longer than the half marathon distance. In fact, your risk of injury increases. I say this from experience. I’ve completed 4 half marathons. Your longest training run should probably be about 10 miles.
I like the idea of incorporating races into your training program.

]]> By: Andrew(AJH) http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2714 Andrew(AJH) Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:09:11 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2714 I agree with a couple of the other comments in a couple of regards, 1. You don't need to run such long runs, I'd keep the long runs down to race distance, especially lose a few kms from the 26k run a few weeks out. 2. I reckon you can go sub 2 hours, I did 1:47 for my first and I was 10+ years older than you and you're running as well as I was at that point. 3. I'd be building the distance of the easy 5k runs up towards the end as well. Two other points, 4. What about some tempo or fartlek sessions to work on speed? Maybe every second week instead of the form session? 5. I'd find 3 rest days a week excessive, what about two easy cross training days (eg swim or cycle) and one rest day? Just my thoughts I agree with a couple of the other comments in a couple of regards,
1. You don’t need to run such long runs, I’d keep the long runs down to race distance, especially lose a few kms from the 26k run a few weeks out.
2. I reckon you can go sub 2 hours, I did 1:47 for my first and I was 10+ years older than you and you’re running as well as I was at that point.
3. I’d be building the distance of the easy 5k runs up towards the end as well.

Two other points,
4. What about some tempo or fartlek sessions to work on speed? Maybe every second week instead of the form session?
5. I’d find 3 rest days a week excessive, what about two easy cross training days (eg swim or cycle) and one rest day?

Just my thoughts

]]> By: Sheamus http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2706 Sheamus Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:21:29 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2706 Yeah, I think certainly the 26K two weeks before the race is way too long. That last month should taper down. Your Tuesday and Thursday runs need to be getting longer by 1-2K every couple of weeks up until a month before your race, and then taper down by the same. Same for your Sunday run. I agree it's good to go beyond the distance for confidence, but you only really need to do that once. You're not going to struggle to finish a half-marathon unless the weather is a real problem or you're injured. It's just not far enough. And you're going to increase the chance of an injury with all those Sunday runs. I'd seriously consider spreading those Ks over the rest of the week. Keep your Sunday's long, but think of it as a triangle building up to four weeks beforehand, and then falling off again. The only half-marathon I ever ran (many years ago) I did on the back of a training schedule that was nothing like this. After running no more than 60-70 minutes (in my life) I just decided to 'have a go' one day and it wasn't a problem at all. You run enough for the length not to really be a factor, Andrew, I would say, so I'd be mindful you don't kill your chances by overdoing it on the same day each week. I also think 16 weeks is WAY too long for this distance. Spend the next month or so running normally and then consider this plan from <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-258-6851-0,00.html" rel="nofollow">Runner's World</a>, which lasts just 9 weeks. All that said, the best advice is often what comes from within us - how you feel about it, deep down, and all that. If you feel you need the longer miles, then maybe you do. Just be careful you don't wipe yourself out leading up to the big day. :) Sheamuss last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Irun365/~3/336067290/" rel="nofollow">Numb (But Good)</a> Yeah, I think certainly the 26K two weeks before the race is way too long. That last month should taper down. Your Tuesday and Thursday runs need to be getting longer by 1-2K every couple of weeks up until a month before your race, and then taper down by the same.

Same for your Sunday run. I agree it’s good to go beyond the distance for confidence, but you only really need to do that once. You’re not going to struggle to finish a half-marathon unless the weather is a real problem or you’re injured. It’s just not far enough. And you’re going to increase the chance of an injury with all those Sunday runs.

I’d seriously consider spreading those Ks over the rest of the week. Keep your Sunday’s long, but think of it as a triangle building up to four weeks beforehand, and then falling off again.

The only half-marathon I ever ran (many years ago) I did on the back of a training schedule that was nothing like this. After running no more than 60-70 minutes (in my life) I just decided to ‘have a go’ one day and it wasn’t a problem at all.

You run enough for the length not to really be a factor, Andrew, I would say, so I’d be mindful you don’t kill your chances by overdoing it on the same day each week.

I also think 16 weeks is WAY too long for this distance. Spend the next month or so running normally and then consider this plan from Runner’s World, which lasts just 9 weeks.

All that said, the best advice is often what comes from within us – how you feel about it, deep down, and all that. If you feel you need the longer miles, then maybe you do. Just be careful you don’t wipe yourself out leading up to the big day. :)

Sheamuss last blog post..Numb (But Good)

]]> By: AndrewE http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2705 AndrewE Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:48:01 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2705 Yes, it appears that the long runs might be a bit too long. I guess I'll have to play it by ear as see how it goes. Yes, it appears that the long runs might be a bit too long. I guess I’ll have to play it by ear as see how it goes.

]]> By: Kristy http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2704 Kristy Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:38:34 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2704 Hi Andrew Your plan looks good, but not sure if your long runs might be too long...Especially a 26k run 2 weeks before the race. My coach told me you don't climb everest by climbing one the same, but climbing lots of little ones... I think it is doable just keep an eye on your body and how it feels... Before I ran my first half the longest distance I had ran was 19k and I was fine with the extra 2k on race day... Have you had a look www.coolrunnings.com.au which has great advice? The 4 runs a week look really good and is how my plan looks as well... I think that there are so many different running plans around that you just play with what works best for you... I think you will do a great job and with your times you will get what you want easily... Although I felt much better on my run not having a goal (although I did have a goal really as I wanted under 2hrs 30 which I made). As long as your goal is doable no problem... Sorry for such a long post... I am really looking forward to watching your journey to your first half after I have just completed my first. It is an amazing journey and so rewarding... Hi Andrew

Your plan looks good, but not sure if your long runs might be too long…Especially a 26k run 2 weeks before the race. My coach told me you don’t climb everest by climbing one the same, but climbing lots of little ones… I think it is doable just keep an eye on your body and how it feels…

Before I ran my first half the longest distance I had ran was 19k and I was fine with the extra 2k on race day… Have you had a look http://www.coolrunnings.com.au which has great advice?

The 4 runs a week look really good and is how my plan looks as well…

I think that there are so many different running plans around that you just play with what works best for you…

I think you will do a great job and with your times you will get what you want easily… Although I felt much better on my run not having a goal (although I did have a goal really as I wanted under 2hrs 30 which I made). As long as your goal is doable no problem…

Sorry for such a long post…

I am really looking forward to watching your journey to your first half after I have just completed my first. It is an amazing journey and so rewarding…

]]> By: charlotte http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2703 charlotte Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:28:43 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2703 Looks very reasonable to me! Love the 3 rest days. You're going to do great:) Looks very reasonable to me! Love the 3 rest days. You’re going to do great:)

]]> By: Johnny http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2702 Johnny Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:10:11 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2702 Man, how exciting. Looks like you're obviously putting some good deep thought into doing your best (while being reasonable, of course)! All the best as you start this training! Man, how exciting. Looks like you’re obviously putting some good deep thought into doing your best (while being reasonable, of course)! All the best as you start this training!

]]> By: Marshmallow http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2701 Marshmallow Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:32:45 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2701 Heck, I'll make a note to give myself more time before I start training for my first half marathon - to me, that looks like the most boring training schedule ever! (You know me :-P) I like the idea of the different focuses for each run, and I especially like that the program encourages you to do three runs of more than the half marathon distance beforehand. Agree with the others who have mentioned not applying a time pressure. (Though my trainer will probably say 'you should probably aim for complete rest leading up to the half marathon itself. Something that I am always very hesitant to do :-P) Heck, I’ll make a note to give myself more time before I start training for my first half marathon – to me, that looks like the most boring training schedule ever! (You know me :-P )

I like the idea of the different focuses for each run, and I especially like that the program encourages you to do three runs of more than the half marathon distance beforehand.

Agree with the others who have mentioned not applying a time pressure.

(Though my trainer will probably say ‘you should probably aim for complete rest leading up to the half marathon itself. Something that I am always very hesitant to do :-P )

]]> By: kathryn http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/comment-page-1/#comment-2700 kathryn Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:16:24 +0000 http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/07/16/my-training-plan-for-the-next-few-months/#comment-2700 Good luck with your half. when I was doing my half training last year, we had an easy week every 4th week. I found I really needed it to bounce back. I guess it all depends but for me, the longer runs took a lot out of me. I think it's a good idea to do a long run of at least the distance beforehand. Some programs have you doing less, figuring that the race day excitement will get you over the line but I really needed that mental reassurance that I could do it. Flexibility is a a great thing :D Good luck with your half. when I was doing my half training last year, we had an easy week every 4th week. I found I really needed it to bounce back. I guess it all depends but for me, the longer runs took a lot out of me.

I think it’s a good idea to do a long run of at least the distance beforehand. Some programs have you doing less, figuring that the race day excitement will get you over the line but I really needed that mental reassurance that I could do it.

Flexibility is a a great thing :D

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