Best marathon training plan and why?
RunFarLiveHappy
Posts: 805 Member
Hi! Just curious what plans have been successful for others. I'm currently training for my first marathon. I have completed three half marathons, (will have completed five before my full), and two 20-miler training runs (will complete at least 1-2 more before my full; one being a fully supported & timed running club run). I run 40+ mpw usually 5-7 days/week. I do resistance training and yoga as cross training. Thanks in advance for your experiences and suggestions. Oh, and my goal is just to finish, anything quicker than 6 hours will just be icing on the ????????
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this is a pretty good survey: http://fellrnr.com/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Marathon_Training_Plans
imho, there is no right answer for this...0 -
I have not used it, but I also think the programs provided in the Brain Training for Runners book are really well thought out.0
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I think you have to segregate newbie plans from experience runner plans (not in a bad way).
For a first timer without meaningful racing experience at all distances from 5K to marathon, something like Pftiz just doesn't really help. If you don't know your 5K pace, from your 10K pace and your half marathon pace, then you can't really benefit from all the workouts.
FWIW - I generally send new runners to Higdon (but suggest they get some extra 20s if possible)
More experience runners, I like Pfitzinger
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Marathoning-Edition-Peter-Pfitzinger/dp/0736074600
Like with all things, we each need to figure out what works best for us (we are each a study with a sample size of one).0 -
I know that everyone is different for sure! I just wanted some suggestions to research in more depth, since there are only 12 billion results on google ???????? thank you! I will look into your suggestions. I am using a Higdon plan now.0
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Jeff Galloway's marathon training plan has worked very well for me. See JeffGalloway.com for details. He's also on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Otherwise, I've tried kind of an ad hoc "full throttle" marathon plan but that has caused burnout/injury. Jeff has two editions of a running book that I have read, plus a marathon training book that I still consider my "running" Bible, and a new trail running book.
Why Galloway? Run:walk works well for asthmatics like me and I tend to push too hard in training at times, resulting in injury. I haven't tried Higdon's method or others really. The walk breaks also allow your heart rate to drop a bit and give you a slight break. It allows me to run longer than I would be able to if I ran without walk breaks. It conserves energy.0 -
Not sure if there is a best program, just a bunch of good ones that you can tailor to meet your needs. Hal HIgdon has some good ones.0
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I like Hal Higdon because it is so easy to modify them to fit your needs.0
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Thanks everyone! ????0
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The best? Not to sound snarky, but...
One that is personally designed specifically for you by your coach that is intimately familiar with your training.
Everything else should just be used as a guideline or framework for you to use to build a training program that works for you.0 -
I've used Hal Higdon's Novice plan several times in the past (but I'm by no means a speedy runner - my marathon PR to-date is a 4:06). I'm going to start training again this fall for a New Year's Eve marathon and I'm going to try a program I read about in Runner's World called "Run Less, Run Faster". Good luck!0
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I'm going to try a program I read about in Runner's World called "Run Less, Run Faster". Good luck!
I wouldn't do that. It works best for older Runners that have already logged a lot of miles on their legs. You need that time on your feet to make sure that the tendons, ligaments and bone have the strength to get through the distance.0 -
I've used Hal Higdon's Novice plan several times in the past (but I'm by no means a speedy runner - my marathon PR to-date is a 4:06). I'm going to start training again this fall for a New Year's Eve marathon and I'm going to try a program I read about in Runner's World called "Run Less, Run Faster". Good luck!
I have had pretty good luck with that plan. If you can run a 4:06, then you can use the plan for sure. PM or friend me, if you like.
RLRF is not well received in forum land. It is what it is.0 -
this is a pretty good survey: http://fellrnr.com/wiki/A_Comparison_of_Marathon_Training_Plans
imho, there is no right answer for this...
Exactly what I was going to suggest!0
