Unconventional Marathon Plan - Will I make it?

RunnerElizabeth

I'm training for my first marathon November 2, 2014. The problem is, I'm a single mom of a four year old and I work full time so fitting my runs in is a challenge. I had originally picked out Hal Higdon's intermediate 2 program to follow, but i know I will have to make modifications and sometimes run doubles to fit the miles in. I would be able to follow his novice 1 or novice 2 plans to the letter without doubles, but they peak at 36-40 mpw which I'm not comfortable with.

I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. Monday I had an incident on the subway so i decided to run commute both ways with my daughter in the stroller on Tuesday. We usually spend 2 to 2.5 hours on the subway a day. We spent 93 minutes run commuting yesterday. That frees up some quality time for us. And it was pretty gentle on my body (i don't feel like i ran 9+ miles yesterday, i don't feel like i ran at all).

So i was thinking I could easily regularly run 40+ miles a week if i did 3 run commute days for 30 miles plus my long run, making it easy to peak at 50 in 4 days of running a week. I could even possibly work on adding a 4th Mon-fri so i could potentially peak at 60 instead.

If I'm running higher mileage but in shorter increments, except for the long run, will I be prepared for the marathon? Or am I better off with a low volume plan i can stick to if the only way I can get my miles in is by running 5 miles twice a day? Cutting 3 or 4 days of subway rides out of my life really appeals to me. Would it help if once every 3 weeks i ditched the stroller and ran 10 miles midweek all at once?

vmclach

Seems like a logical idea. So it's 4.5 miles 1 way?

I don't have nearly the life you do, but a year ago, I got a new job & I am required to take 1 hour lunch break- yay unions.
At first I hated it. I was used to working through lunch. I had no idea what I was going to do on the strict 1 hour.

I finally got in the routine of running over lunch. It was only 1-2 miles at first because I had to drive, shower, change, etc. but I've gotten really efficient about it over the year. I can usually fit it 3-4 everyday. Sometimes I am lazy & do 2.

ANYWAYS- it's really a strange schedule because after work, I go and run again 3-4 hours later.
Before I did my "lunch runs" I would just run 6-9 miles every day.
Now, after work, I sometimes slack & just do 4-6 because I ran at lunch.


This doesn't appear to be an ideal running plan for a marathon... But... Before I started working here, I ran a 4:09... In less than a year, I dropped to a 3:37.. What? Yes, that actually happened... Lol.. I think it's because 2x a day makes you perform in a depleted gycogyn state. I run on tired legs all the time.

Also, I cannot skip my lunch run. I literally don't know what else I would do, which is also a benefit.


My suggestions to you would be:
1- make sure you do your lunch runs on the weekend (lol)
2- try to do a medium long run 10-12 during the week.
3- do speed work

I think this is a great idea. I hope you do it.

kristinegift

Though reading about that kind of mileage makes me cringe (I'm doing 20-25 a week right now and that seems like a lot!), it seems like a great plan that works well with what you've got going on! Hey, if it's faster to run than take the subway, then by all means -- do it! Let us know how the training goes with this unorthodox plan!

ZenInTexas

I don't see why it wouldn't work. I think it's a great idea and if you can fit in a mid week mid distance of 10 or so that would be perfect..

RunnerElizabeth

Thanks! This makes me feel better! My trip is actually 5 miles each way, though i cut it short yesterday because I had to stop at the store on the way home.

I was thinking that more miles in a way i can manage is better than the alternative of a low volume plan. And i'll have more experience running when tired. And less time spent on the subway!

I figure by the beginning of August I'll have an idea if this is really working for me and i can revise at that point. The HH intermediate plan only had me running approximately 125 miles in July anyway and then the 160s for August so that seems like a logical time to switch to plan B if necessary.

davemunger

Hell to the yeah that will work. I don't know about Higdon but many plans have you doing 2 (or sometimes 3) "quality" runs per week. The rest of your runs are just filled in with easy miles -- the key is just getting in enough miles per week.

So if you have 3 days a week where you are getting 10 miles, plus your 20-ish long run, you have 50+ in a week. The only thing you might want to add is some speed work midweek -- intervals, a tempo run, or hill repeats. Good luck!

schmenge55

Not that you need anybody else to agree, but i will too. I think a reasonable plan. The other thing to think about is IMO there are three keys to a good marathon: training, pacing and fueling/nutrition. Training is obviously the big rock, but the other two are good size stones and you can control those too and have a great race

saskie78

I love that you have found a way to be creative here instead of just deciding that you are too busy to do it. Fantastic stuff.

tkillion810

I think it sounds like it will work. I read of quite a few success stories of people actually performing better having trained this way. Can't wait to hear a follow up and see how it went for you!

actlc

I certainly can't offer any advice on Marathon training. But running to work saves you time, money and get the running in. It's win, win, win! Sounds like a great plan!

RunnerElizabeth

And now i feel a whole lot better! I was afraid the answer was going to be "stay at home and bake cookies until your daughter is older." ;-)

schmenge55

And now i feel a whole lot better! I was afraid the answer was going to be "stay at home and bake cookies until your daughter is older." ;-)

We've got a mom in our marathon trsining group with twin girls (18 months). She asked if it was ok if now and then she showed up with a double stroller (we said of course!)

valentine4

Definately don't wait until your baby is older, when she is older she is going to be chasing you trying to catch up least thats what my girls tell me.

I work full time have 4 kids, recently my work got crazy busy I would work from 9 - 5.30 home settle kids and go back in from 8-10. Not allowing alot of time for running! so what I did was ditch the car completely and cycle the 3k each way into work, I break it into 2 really fast sprints. Then after work I go to the gym and batter out a quick 5k on the threadmill.

Its not alot but its keeping me going until things settle down ( p.s.I did fit in baking, camping and a long run last weekend so am happy out)

sarahz5

I think this sounds awesome for your marathon AND your time with your daughter, but I'm curious about whether you just work sweaty, or have access to a shower? I am so jealous of people who manage to fit working out into their work day. I used to have a gym and shower onsite, which was fantastic.

RunnerElizabeth

I think this sounds awesome for your marathon AND your time with your daughter, but I'm curious about whether you just work sweaty, or have access to a shower? I am so jealous of people who manage to fit working out into their work day. I used to have a gym and shower onsite, which was fantastic.

I have a gym in my office building and my daughter's daycare is there too. No need to work sweaty! And since I have the stroller it's easy to pack my work clothes for the day. I also buy a lot of my office clothes from Athleta and Title Nine, I can dress them up so I look professional but i can ball them up and shove them in the cargo carrier and just shake out before wearing.

aldousmom

I like your plan! I like it b/c you're running twice per day, which means the second time you run you're running on tired legs, which will make you super strong. Seriously, I wouldn't worry so much about your weekly mileage. I run mostly only ultra marathons and I only run 40ish miles per week, and that's during my peak training. the other weeks are more like 35. You can do it.