Marathon training is go!
It is 18 weeks to go to the Auckland marathon! You know what that means right? It is marathon training time again!
One of the problems with my last marathon is that I didn’t really follow a proper training plan. I took the Hal Higdon novice plan and thought that it was way too easy and started to tamper with it. Big mistake! For one reason or another I started off with a bang, doing very high mileage weeks way too early and then as we got closer and closer to the actual marathon my weekly mileage was actually dropping even though my long runs were getting longer and longer. I think I just way overdid it and burnt out somewhat.
So this time I’m going to stick to the plan. I’ve decided to go with Hal Higdon’s Intermediate 1 plan.
The Novice and Advanced training programs in my Marathon Training Guide represent the extremes. The former program is designed for runners running their first marathon, or experienced runners who are happy with that level of training and see no need to do more. The latter program is designed for those very experienced runners, who have done a number of marathons, perhaps have plateaued in their times, and want to maximize their ability by training hard and incorporating speedwork into their training.
In between, there’s a broad area for runners just like you! If you previously have trained using the Novice program, you now can increase your mileage a bit, run some workouts at a faster pace, and seek improvement. That’s why I designed two separate schedules for two levels of intermediate runners:
The Intermediate-I program offers a slight jump in difficulty from the Novice program. You Begin in Week 1 with a long run of 8 miles instead of 6 miles. You thus get to 20 miles for your long run by Week 13, which permits a second 20-miler in Week 15. Midweek mileage is slightly higher, but instead of cross-training on the weekends, you get more serious about your running and do a second run of 5-8 miles, often at marathon race pace. You now do your cross-training on Mondays, instead of taking the day off.
Today’s run called for a 3 miler so I did 5.5 km instead. Slightly longer but I was aiming to get 30 minutes in.
One other thing I’m going to try and do is get my eating back under control. I’ve been eating mainly healthy food but way too many snacks and I’m starting to look a bit too round around the middle for my liking. So this seems like a good place to get back on the weight loss wagon. I’ll go stand on the scale again tomorrow morning first thing. I’ve been avoiding it a bit for the last two months or so…
Comments
16 Responses to “Marathon training is go!”
Daily Mile
-
RoadID
Better luck sticking to this plan.
.-= Bruce´s last blog ..2009 Training log =-.
I need to decide on a plan too. Trouble is have the half marathon in a week and a half…maybe I need a 16 week plan.
.-= Aaron´s last blog ..A bit flat =-.
You might want to take a peek at Galloway’s method. This is what i will be sticking to for my upcoming Amica Marathon.
.-= Ted´s last blog ..My running experiment ! =-.
Twitter: seetedrun
I am training for my first marathon. I like that on Hal’s you run what only 3 days a week? I was scared that wasn’t enough for me. I am trying Runner’s World Rookie Training plan. I run 5 days a week, but 3 of the runs are challenging and the other 2 are easy so I could squeeze in some strength training too which I REALLY need. Good luck on your journey! I’m right there with you but I’m on week 2 out of 15 week training (I accidentally just my training 1 week short).
.-= Chellie Has Issues´s last blog ..Featured Post =-.
Looks like a good plan, though more guidance on pace would be helpful, I think? 30 minutes for 5.5k seems quite fast for someone running your race times- I normally run about 10 minute miles in training… I know, I know- I’m a broken record!
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Making baking! =-.
Well done for getting back into it so soon after the last one. I’m nearly 18 months after my one and only marathon, still trying to work up the courage to set the date for number two!
.-= Andrew(AJH)´s last blog ..Fifth =-.
I’m just going to make the half a fast training run!
Twitter: AndrewENZ
I looked at Galloway’s one before (and my wife is using it).
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Aah…I’m not normally that fast on a training run but I was enjoying myself.
Twitter: AndrewENZ
Carpe Diem!
Twitter: AndrewENZ
I’d been wondering where you’d disappeared to.
Choosing a plan’s always a tough one – so many plans, all pretty much telling you to do the same stuff in slightly different ways.
Anyways, best of luck with it – we’re pretty much on the same training schedule for a marathon, so it’ll be interesting to keep track of how you’re doing.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..W15KW#1 – Intervals =-.
Indeed I have the same problem, starting off too soon too hard. I end up with shin splints amoung other things :/
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Flash Pic of me =-.
Good for you, Andrew, getting in a second marathon so soon.
I’m thinking about Higdon intermediate as well for my next (if I can just find a way to get off of my bike long enough to run!) Looks like a good plan.
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..The Long and Hilly Road =-.
Just stumbled across your blog. Good luck to you with your next marathon. I’ve made some of those same mistakes training for my first. I already have a list of things I’m going to do differently with my next one.
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..Trying to stay calm =-.
You’re probably going to find that the conditioning with your previous marathon has stuck with you fairly well, so don’t be afraid to step it up from an intensity standpoint, but keep the mileage the same. I have trouble sticking to any plan too, but usually end up falling on the low end of the miles. Just having fun out there … and keep me motivated.
.-= David H.´s last blog ..The second half of ‘09 =-.
Twitter: runningbecause
Totally agree with your assessment, but I wouldn’t get hung up too much on sticking religiously to a proper training plan, i.e. its okay to modify it if required. But modifying it so that you’re doing high mileage weeks way too early will definitely lead to burnout later on. This led to a drop in your weekly mileage. Even though your long runs were getting longer, it meant that you haven’t been frequent with your running. You need to keep the frequency/consistency going, as 3-4 shorter runs is better than 1 big one. I’m not saying to drop the long run, but having a higher frequency will ensure that you accumulate those miles in the legs. Good luck for the Auckland marathon, I’ve ran this 3 times and it is a good one, better than Christchurch IMO.