What plan are you using?

mrkp

My plan is the one that was sent to me by the organisers. Its a beginners schedule that involves 3 runs during the week and then a long run at the weekend. I like the fact that it mixes up some speed work with standard runs. You can see it here

http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/images/DOCUMENTS/beginners_marathon_schedule_gmm.pdf

Let me know what you think.

El_Rapido

I'm doing the GMM too!

That plan looks sensible to me, however I will be following my own plan. Most of my running takes places on hills and moorland, I don't really like road running so much and I'm not prepared to come off the fells for 3 months whilst I train on the roads. I'll probably do 1 long run per week culminating in a 20 or 22 mile plod 5 or 6 weeks before race day, then I will taper. I'm certain that my hill climbs and descents will more than compensate for tempo runs and interval sessions. It might work, it might not but I'll justr have to see how it goes. the marathon is something i feel I have to do. Once I've done it, i will find another goal. i quite fancy an ultra or a mountain marathon!

Another alternative you could look at is Runners World Smart Coach. Its a free, interactive race plan. You just enter some details and it designs your plan. I think you can upload it to a garmin too but I'm not certain of that.

mrkp

Cheers will have a look, but I reckon that once I decide I'm going to stick to one plan. I just want to make sure I get round'

mrkp

I'm just hoping that my back holds up this time as 18mths ago whist trainging for a marathon I had the pleasure of a prolapsed disc (wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.) This time looking to do core stability work as well as running training to try and make sure doesn't happen again although I thing that last time not really shifting weight probably didn't help and if I'm being super honest I dropped quite a few sessions and just ramped up the long runs.

It seems that there's no cheating when it comes to marathons!

mrkp

I followed the Hal Higdon route last time but it was around the 18 mile run that my back went - although I didn't realise till later. I think for me there was simply too much banging the streets and not enough variation, which is why I'm looking to the plan outlined in the first post.

Having said that I haven't kicked into it yet, but hopefully not the same result!

BerryH

Another Hal Higdon fan here - I'm using his Novice Supreme plan but I only run three times a week as I'm very susceptible to injury if I run two days running. But I do plenty of cross-training.

I vary the mid-weeks runs making one intervals/hills/fartlek and the other tempo = mrkp, that might address the problem you had.

I've also re-joined my running club starting this Sunday which focusses of hard quality sessions, but I still need to work out how to slot it into my plan.

Edit: Just had a butchers at the Manchester plan, that looks very tempting!

mrkp

Heading out for a 7 miler tomorrow on a new route should be interesting.

BerryH

I spoke to Coach Maggie (a former veteran marathon golf medal holder who trains athletes up to national level), and here's her plan for me:

Monday: Complete rest. Self-massage in bath or using foam roller.
Tuesday: Recovery run. Slow as you like building up to 10K (currently four miles).
Wednesday: Cross-train, resistance training (bodyweight only - skip weights until after marathon), stretch.
Thursday: Tempo. Warm up, find a 25 minute route (conveniently round my block) and see how fast you can run it. Try and beat your time each week. When it's under 20 minutes, find a 30 minute route.
Friday: Cross-train, resistance training, stretch.
Saturday: Long run
Sunday: Club run (longer repeats and hills)

As the long run gets longer, change the weekend to the following.
Friday: Sprint intervals
Saturday: Cross train
Sunday: Long run (join club mid-way for socialisation, support and breaking up the monotony).

After all, who's going to be up for a club run the day after a half marathon distance or more?!

I also need to switch up MFP to aim for proper nutrition rather than just staying under calories and eating junk (and drinking too much!). I'm getting to the stage when my social life will take a hit, especially on Friday and Saturday nights before the tough runs. Sigh.

Mollydolly10

I'm using Hal Higdon's Novice 2 plan - really like it so far (starting week 6 of 18 now)! 3 runs during the week, 1 long run and 1 crosstraining day on the weekend. I'm still figuring out how to incorporate strength training since this is the most hard-core plan I've done so far.

This week I've tried a full body routine from marathonrookie website (http://www.marathonrookie.com/marathon-weight-training.html), as well as:

Glute strength: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263--13852-F,00.html
Fast abs: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263--13030-F,00.html

And doing this before my runs:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--13535-F,00.html

mrkp

I'm finding myself getting a little impatient and over enthusiastic with my plan. It's only week two proper but I want to do more than 3 miles mid week. Should I or am I being daft?

FoxyMcDeadlift

If you want to extend a run here or there, it wont hurt so long as you're not over zealous. Listen to your body.

Im doing the same strength training programme i was prior to the marathon, but i recognize its a bit overkill so am moving to a minimalist 3 day split instead for the next 8 weeks. It will be something along the lines of

Mon: Deads, Chins, Rack pulls, Row

Weds: Bench, Dips Lunges or maybe split squats

Fri: Squat, some form of press, Romanian deadlifts.

Running is the priority for now