Tapering between two marathon training plans?

thepetiterunner

Hello happy marathoners!

I have a quick question for you veterans out there. I'm running a marathon in early December, then another in April, so I have a couple of weeks in between the two 18 week training programs I've been using. I was wondering how you guys taper or adjust your training in between marathon training plans? Obviously my fitness after running this marathon will be better than say, when I started out at Week 1 in August for this training plan, but I wasn't sure how to stitch it into my next plan.

Anyway, any advice or experience will be well received. Thank so much in advance!

Cheers & happy running!

Cathy

Eaglesfanintn

In between marathons (and the training leading up to it), I tend to do runs that I want to do. I'll pick a trail or course I want to run and do it for just the pleasure of running. Doing the training plans sometimes feels more like work, so getting to run how/where/how far I want is a joy.
That being said, I would take it easy between races - maybe do some medium length runs (8-12 miles) on the weekends and do whatever you feel like. Make sure you give yourself enough time to recover after your December marathon. Not sure if this is your first, but if so, you'll most likely find even walking the next day difficult. Take the whole week off if you need to - don't push it. Then, get out there and enjoy running for a bit before the training begins.

CarsonRuns

Are you going to do the same plan for each, or are you going to leverage your new found fitness and try a more aggressive plan for the second marathon?

My advice for post marathon base is to drop your average weekly mileage to about 2/3 of what you highest mileage week was during marathon training. So, if you peaked out at 60, drop back to about 40 mpw as an average. Don't just jump in right after marathon. Reverse your taper to build back to 40. Then, choose a plan that starts right around where you are currently and more importantly, that you think you can handle.

thepetiterunner

I hadn't been planning on changing to a more aggressive plan. I like the current plan I have, the mileage isn't too crazy (I think it stays pretty close to 30-35 miles a week, maybe peaking at 40 or so), it has one speed workout each week, two easy days and then a long run day. I usually cross train with some strength/weight training on two other days.

The second race I'm running is going to be far more challenging than the one in December. It's the Big Sur International Marathon, so I know I'm going to need to work on hills. I'm not shooting for a time goal, just finishing strong and feeling good.... and not ending up on that bus that scoops everyone up!

ibleedunionblue

Similar circumstances. Just finished 2 marathons, and my next one isnt scheduled until March. Like CarsonRuns suggests, I am backing off for a couple weeks. I peaked at 90 miles a week. So I am going back to 60 for a couple weeks and actually enjoy a couple half marathons for fun. Later this month, I am going to start a modified Higdon Advanced plan for the spring cycle.

thepetiterunner

Speaking of plans, how do you like the Hal Higdon's marathon training plans? I looked at them briefly yesterday, when considering changing up my training plan. They seem to pile on the miles and not have a lot planned for cross training and/or speedwork unless you're in the intermediate 2 (I think) and advanced plans. Is there a benefit to just running the miles over and over again? I enjoy the variety of having easy runs, a speed work and a long run.

ibleedunionblue

I did alot of long slow distance this summer, but my goal was to get off the weight I had packed on, and return to running a marathon. So piling on miles fit into my personal training goals. This cycle, I modified his advanced program, and made it more challenging. Just again doing what I want to do to meet my own objectives.

So my two cents to you would be "Go for it." If you enjoy variety, be flexible and tailor the program to meet your goals.

CarsonRuns

Speaking of plans, how do you like the Hal Higdon's marathon training plans? I looked at them briefly yesterday, when considering changing up my training plan. They seem to pile on the miles and not have a lot planned for cross training and/or speedwork unless you're in the intermediate 2 (I think) and advanced plans. Is there a benefit to just running the miles over and over again? I enjoy the variety of having easy runs, a speed work and a long run.

If you aren't training to run about 3:30 or better, there really isn't any reason for speed work. You'll benefit the most from time on your feet and maybe some tempo once a week for 20 to 40 minutes.

thepetiterunner

Speaking of plans, how do you like the Hal Higdon's marathon training plans? I looked at them briefly yesterday, when considering changing up my training plan. They seem to pile on the miles and not have a lot planned for cross training and/or speedwork unless you're in the intermediate 2 (I think) and advanced plans. Is there a benefit to just running the miles over and over again? I enjoy the variety of having easy runs, a speed work and a long run.

If you aren't training to run about 3:30 or better, there really isn't any reason for speed work. You'll benefit the most from time on your feet and maybe some tempo once a week for 20 to 40 minutes.

Really Carson? You don't think speed work is beneficial to anyone else that isn't aiming for a 3:30? I would think speed work could help anyone improve their time and it helps break up the monotony of just running easy and long (at least for me, anyway). Sometimes it's fun to go hard and fast for a bit.

ibleedunionblue

This is from Hal Higdon...
TIP OF THE DAY: There are many good reasons why every long-distance runner should head to the track to do speedwork. Here are a few: 1.) Performance. With speedwork, you will run faster. Numerous laboratory studies prove that adding speed training to an endurance base can take seconds off your 5-K times, minutes off your marathon bests. By training faster, you improve specific muscles used at higher speeds. 2.) Form. The best way to improve form is by running fast. If you can learn to run more efficiently, you will perform better at all distances and levels. You recruit different muscles. You force yourself to move more smoothly. By learning how to run faster than race pace, you're more relaxed when you do run that pace in a race. 3.) Variety. Running the same course and the same distance at the same pace day after day can become tedious. To keep running exciting, you need variety. Keeping workouts varied is one way to ensure success.

The 3rd point of variety kind of hits on what the OP was getting at.

CarsonRuns

Speaking of plans, how do you like the Hal Higdon's marathon training plans? I looked at them briefly yesterday, when considering changing up my training plan. They seem to pile on the miles and not have a lot planned for cross training and/or speedwork unless you're in the intermediate 2 (I think) and advanced plans. Is there a benefit to just running the miles over and over again? I enjoy the variety of having easy runs, a speed work and a long run.

If you aren't training to run about 3:30 or better, there really isn't any reason for speed work. You'll benefit the most from time on your feet and maybe some tempo once a week for 20 to 40 minutes.

Really Carson? You don't think speed work is beneficial to anyone else that isn't aiming for a 3:30? I would think speed work could help anyone improve their time and it helps break up the monotony of just running easy and long (at least for me, anyway). Sometimes it's fun to go hard and fast for a bit.

Yeah, really. I should clarify. I don't think there is any benefit for marathon performance to running faster than AT for marathon training unless you are running under 3:30. Yes, it's fun. Yes it will help with other race distances. That being said, to me it just doesn't make since to run 12x400m @ 5K pace when you are training for a race that's going to last for longer than 3.5 hours. The reason it doesn't benefit marathon performance is because the marathon is 98% aerobic and that is the system that needs to be trained.

ETA: I'm not saying to just run the same pace every single time. I'm saying that a tempo run and some strides are beneficial. I don't classify either of those as speed work, but they are running at different speeds than just easy.