Marathon training: how do you do it?

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  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    RunnerGirl238 wrote: »
    Bucket list goal is an ultra, but to get there I need to get a marathon or two under my belt. (I think I am 2 or 3 years from ultra status- at least- but man, oh, man does it sound fun!)

    How are you training for your marathons? Training for a half is easy enough, but the training plans I am researching have me doing weekly long runs of 20+ with tempos and other runs in the 8-14 ranges.

    With working full time, two youngish kids, and it being just me (60% of the time), I can't imagine working all the training in. The hours in the day just don't make sense to me.

    What does your marathon training schedule look like? I'd also like to sub 4:15 it...

    If anyone has Deena Kastor on speed dial....

    Tbh I'd approach it in a similar way to ultra training; regular long back to backs. It gets you far more used to running fatigued and high volume without the stress.

    So, possibly use a 50k plan to train for the marathon.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    RunnerGirl238 wrote: »
    Bucket list goal is an ultra, but to get there I need to get a marathon or two under my belt. (I think I am 2 or 3 years from ultra status- at least- but man, oh, man does it sound fun!)

    How are you training for your marathons? Training for a half is easy enough, but the training plans I am researching have me doing weekly long runs of 20+ with tempos and other runs in the 8-14 ranges.

    With working full time, two youngish kids, and it being just me (60% of the time), I can't imagine working all the training in. The hours in the day just don't make sense to me.

    What does your marathon training schedule look like? I'd also like to sub 4:15 it...

    If anyone has Deena Kastor on speed dial....

    Tbh I'd approach it in a similar way to ultra training; regular long back to backs. It gets you far more used to running fatigued and high volume without the stress.

    So, possibly use a 50k plan to train for the marathon.

    Good advice there.

    At some point it's not about "can I run xyz" miles. It's "can I manage the unavoidable fatigue" and "do I know how to fuel" - and both of those can be learned without doing 25mi runs. IMO, the psychological benefits from really long runs are more beneficial than the physical benefits.
  • firef1y72
    firef1y72 Posts: 1,579 Member
    RunnerGirl238 wrote: »
    ^^totally followed your other threads and think you are a rock star. I have a pretty solid base, so I think that sounds like a reasonable plan. Terrifies of only doing a 20 mile long run and tacking on 6 more miles on race day

    That was why my PT made me go out and do the 22. She wanted me to hit and push through the wall in training. Although if you're anything like me once you get to 20, you start to think of it as only 10k or 2 park runs and you start to live in the mile.
  • nbpohl
    nbpohl Posts: 3 Member
    I've done 7 marathons--all different temps & only 1 was flat. Best time I had was "loosely" following Hal Higdon's philosophy of breaks--didn't believe it could work but holy crap--it does!! LONG RUNS--I've had success with building up to 16-20-18-20 or 22. Inthe beginning I did all long runs at race pace--that ONLY works if you have no injuries OR anything that could lead to an injury; are EXTREMELY vigilant with weight training, nutrition, sleep and sleep!!!! When I added heavier weight training & added more hilly routes I was able to lower my longest long run to 20 miles & did very well. For me, adding increased stress to training that goes beyond the actual course while running a shorter distance can compensate. GOOD LUCK & tell us how you do :)
  • slbbw
    slbbw Posts: 329 Member
    I never could follow the hal higdon plan. I need rest between running days and the frequency was too much for me. I really like Jeff Galloway's plans. It does the longer distance every other week with a bunch of rest thrown in which can be taken as full rest or cross training. After completing my last half I saw that plan and realized it would be about another 10-16 weeks of training total but only 3-4 long runs, meaning if I just kept what I was doing in 3 months I could be marathon ready with only a bit more extra time and effort. This plan has you running a full marathon before race day, which some would argue is not needed. So really week 16-26 is the needed transition between having just completed a half and training for a marathon.

    http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon-training/

    I did not follow the timing on the weekday runs as I generally like to add a bit more time there, but the idea of alternating 10K distance with your increased mileage every other week up to 17 miles and every third week beyond that made a ton of sense for my body. I would assume a similar schedule would allow you to increase beyond 26 miles as well.
  • lemonwater1
    lemonwater1 Posts: 72 Member
    I hear you. ❤️ I can’t figure it out either 🤷‍♀️ It will most likely be half’s for me for now, at least until the kids are older.
  • almostsuperpowered
    almostsuperpowered Posts: 135 Member
    Teresa502 wrote: »
    Check out the FIRST training plan (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training). It has three running workouts per week - speed, tempo and long run. It also encourages cross-training 40-45 minutes two other days of the week. It has 2 20-mile long runs over the course of the training cycle. They also have a great app you can download!
    http://www2.furman.edu/sites/first/Documents/The%20Less%20is%20More%20Marathon%20Plan.pdf

    I think some people like following set plans, but you can tinker to see what works for your life.

    I did the 3 runs/week + cross-training (cycling for me) for 3 marathons, but I'm pretty slow and steady (~4:45). The most helpful thing: my mid-week tempo built up to half-marathon distance, and then my long runs got much easier.

    I've known people who have used vacation time one morning a week for like a 3 month period (e.g. over the summer) in order to achieve some fitness goals (marathon, ironman).
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    almostsuperpowered wrote: »
    Teresa502 wrote: »
    Check out the FIRST training plan (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training). It has three running workouts per week - speed, tempo and long run. It also encourages cross-training 40-45 minutes two other days of the week. It has 2 20-mile long runs over the course of the training cycle. They also have a great app you can download!
    http://www2.furman.edu/sites/first/Documents/The%20Less%20is%20More%20Marathon%20Plan.pdf

    I think some people like following set plans, but you can tinker to see what works for your life.

    I did the 3 runs/week + cross-training (cycling for me) for 3 marathons, but I'm pretty slow and steady (~4:45). The most helpful thing: my mid-week tempo built up to half-marathon distance, and then my long runs got much easier.

    I've known people who have used vacation time one morning a week for like a 3 month period (e.g. over the summer) in order to achieve some fitness goals (marathon, ironman).

    this is what i do as my training ramps up - right now i use Tuesday because i had class and used to stay late at work - so i would run in the am; come later in my training plan that may switch to thursday to get my long run in
  • RunnerGirl238
    RunnerGirl238 Posts: 448 Member
    almostsuperpowered wrote: »
    Teresa502 wrote: »
    Check out the FIRST training plan (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training). It has three running workouts per week - speed, tempo and long run. It also encourages cross-training 40-45 minutes two other days of the week. It has 2 20-mile long runs over the course of the training cycle. They also have a great app you can download!
    http://www2.furman.edu/sites/first/Documents/The%20Less%20is%20More%20Marathon%20Plan.pdf

    I think some people like following set plans, but you can tinker to see what works for your life.

    I did the 3 runs/week + cross-training (cycling for me) for 3 marathons, but I'm pretty slow and steady (~4:45). The most helpful thing: my mid-week tempo built up to half-marathon distance, and then my long runs got much easier.

    I've known people who have used vacation time one morning a week for like a 3 month period (e.g. over the summer) in order to achieve some fitness goals (marathon, ironman).

    I am going to train over the summer. Benefit of being a teacher.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    I'm not sure it fits in with your goals, but I started with a 20-week beginner program (I had run about 10 HMs previously). I chose this plan because it was 4 runs through the week (including one tempo run) - none longer than 6 miles - and then the weekend long runs. It was pretty convenient.

    Since this is your first marathon, it might make sense to go this route, see how the training goes and what your finish time is and adjust as you feel necessary for the next one.

    Good luck and kick some ultra butt...!
  • almostsuperpowered
    almostsuperpowered Posts: 135 Member
    oh also! have you ever done yin yoga? it's a slow-paced sort of passive practice where you hold postures for M I N U T E S and it helped so much with helping my body deal with marathon training

    good luck, you gots this
  • SchweddyGirl
    SchweddyGirl Posts: 244 Member
    RunnerGirl238 wrote: »
    Thanks, y'all. So, what I'm hearing is Hal Higdon is the way to go.

    Now, just have to get the courage. Going from 13.1 to 26.2 is quite the jump.

    I would look into your local running groups and see if they have marathon groups. As far as fitting in life with training, it is hard. Especially the six weeks or so when you get into the 20 mile runs. But that is a talk you need to have with your SO. Explain your goal and get them on board. My job often has me shifting schedules from days to nights, and during training for my first marathon there were days where I was getting off of a 12 night shift and running 16 miles. I had a goal and that was when I could get the miles in. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to reach your goals.

  • buckykatt1
    buckykatt1 Posts: 18 Member
    slbbw wrote: »
    I never could follow the hal higdon plan. I need rest between running days and the frequency was too much for me. I really like Jeff Galloway's plans. It does the longer distance every other week with a bunch of rest thrown in which can be taken as full rest or cross training. After completing my last half I saw that plan and realized it would be about another 10-16 weeks of training total but only 3-4 long runs, meaning if I just kept what I was doing in 3 months I could be marathon ready with only a bit more extra time and effort. This plan has you running a full marathon before race day, which some would argue is not needed. So really week 16-26 is the needed transition between having just completed a half and training for a marathon.

    http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon-training/

    I did not follow the timing on the weekday runs as I generally like to add a bit more time there, but the idea of alternating 10K distance with your increased mileage every other week up to 17 miles and every third week beyond that made a ton of sense for my body. I would assume a similar schedule would allow you to increase beyond 26 miles as well.

    I followed his plans for my last two half marathons and it's the only reason I finished. No injuries and you don't have to do crazy mileage.

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