Marathon training whilst on holiday - need advise!!

Dragonfly1996

Hi

I am training for my first marathon at the end of April. Training is in full swing and after this weekend I will have done 16mi on my LSR (my max running distance so far ever). My training plan has my mileage going up and down each weekend. During the week I do a short tempo run & intervals plus a couple of cross training/weights sessions.

I am going on holiday for a week soon & this will tie in with 13mi & 19mi (eek) runs. I will be travelling around but doing a fairly active holiday including hill walking & (possibly if any snow) skiing. I will be taking my running gear with me (trail & road).

My query is what should I do about these long runs as I may not be able to do both or either to the total distances depending on where I am (also won't be in an area with familiar routes). Should I just do whatever I can - better than nothing?? Would the hill walking / skiing make up for the lack of mileage as "time on legs"?

Any friendly advise would be welcome - I don't want to get in a panic over it and don't intend to lose any fitness levels I have achieved so far. Equally I would like to enjoy my holiday!!!!

Thanks all :flowerforyou:

BerryH

Do you lose both weekend entirely or just one/part of each? I'd try to squeeze at least one in. If you don't get a full day (either on holiday or if you have to run on a weekday before or after) perhaps you could try 7 miles morning and evening, or two days running, then your time on feet is proper running time

Aperture_Science

I love running when on holiday. It balances my calorific excesses (food and booze) and gives me a different perspective on my holiday resort.

But, that type of running is very different to LSRs as part of a marathon training schedule.

I think for safety and the enjoyment of your holiday you should not do these runs whilst away. The 19m run specifically will leave you tired for the remainder of the day and possibly sore the day after.

So, that leaves you with the dilemma as to what to do about these runs.They are important, it is especially important that you get a 19m run in well before the marathon. You will learn so much about yourself and your endurance during this run, so, take a look at your diary and work out what you can switch around to bring these long runs into weekends when you are at home. Pick dates sooner rather than later so that you recover fully and if you need to re-take a long run you have the time to do so (I did this during my training... I had a terrible 20m run so i re-did it 2 weeks later).

Plan to keep things ticking over during your holiday with some shorter distance runs.

mikeyrp

If its a sports holiday anyway (Skiing?) then I wouldn't worry about it - otherwise I would be more concerned about doing a few short runs (5-10k) than your long steadies - I would aim to do something substantial but not huge after you get back - say another 16 miler - you should still have time to complete your training.

Dragonfly1996

I will miss the first weekend due to travelling (13mi one) but may be able to do one the 2nd weekend (19mi one) or tweak it a bit, if we get back on the Saturday - will play that by ear. Fitting in a couple of shorter ones in the week should be ok & could even put in a few mins of fell running whilst out hill walking (she says half laughing)!!!!

I am scheduled for a 15mi the weekend after back anyway followed by a whopping 20!!!

Thanx for the advice guys :drinker:

Aperture_Science

I am scheduled for a 15mi the weekend after back anyway followed by a whopping 20!!!

Thanx for the advice guys :drinker:

If you can do these as planned I'd say just keeping things up with shorter runs on holiday is fine. You'll still be hitting the mara with that important 20m under your belt.