Hanson’s Marathon Method??? Anyone tried?

I used Hansons for quite a while, maybe for something like 4 marathons or so? So 2, maybe 3 years in total. The high volume philosophy was definitely up my alley (I was not a fast runner!); I was always nervous about the 16-mile long run and made it longer, though, usually throwing in a 20-miler in there anyway. It definitely gave me more endurance, but I think it takes a few cycles to pay off. At least for me it took me a while to see the serious results - I think it takes a long time (more than just a few months / 1 marathon cycle) for the body to really adapt to a high mileage routine. I also really liked the idea of getting comfortable with marathon pace, which is a big part of the Hanson philosophy. It's made me very good at pacing myself. I used the first/beginner plan from their book once or maybe twice before moving on to their higher-mileage plan, and topped out at the 75/80mpw plans.

I wasn't doing much strength training at that point, so can't comment on that aspect of it. When I did attempt to integrate a weight program into my marathon running (running takes priority for me) I found it extremely difficult, though, because I had to do strength training on my hard training days, after running - I wanted to keep my easy days easy. But lifting after a hard run is extra hard, obviously! Also, it was taking me a super long time at the gym to do both.

After Hansons I switched to Pfitzinger, and really like those too - I find it's slightly less predictable than Hansons (which is a pretty rote Tuesday race pace run, Thursday intervals, weekend long-run routine). I've added mileage to Pfitzinger's plans and kept the 6 day a week schedule, though, and done really well with these. But part of the reason I've been able to do really well on Pfitzinger is because Hansons really built up my "base" mileage.

Long story short, I think Hansons is great at adapting the body to high volume and really learning how to pace oneself for long races, which is pretty much the goal of the plan!

I used Hanson for the Flying Pig marathon in 2018. I was training with a group and that was the plan most of the runners at or near my pace decided on. I had no real goal for this race so I went with it. It did take a lot of planning to fit those long weekday runs in, but all in all I enjoyed it. I liked the break it gave me from a lot of speed work and I think it that it did help very much with pacing and splits.

I was wanting to enjoy the race (it was the 20th anniversary and a big celebration/high energy event). I ran the race pretty casually, chatting with other runners and taking in all of the spectacles the course has to offer. My husband and a few friends were running the relay so I took time to chat quickly with them along the way too. But I ended up finishing the race very strong with big negative splits and a very solid BQ. I definitely didn't give this race everything I had and I enjoyed running it, so I would have to say that the Hanson training method did its job of preparing me for pacing a long race without too much effort. I am not sure that my body is in a place right now to endure all of that mileage, but I probably will revisit this plan in the future.

RunnerGirl238 wrote: »

YOU CHATTED THROUGH A RACE A BQ’d?!?! Teach me your ways

Well, I have to admit that being 48 years old and having an easier qualifying standard does help

But honestly, that was my point about the Hanson plan. The general nature of the plan made the pacing feel very natural come marathon time. I am not sure that it plays to everyone's strengths, but it worked well for me. I also think the high energy of the race helped. It is my local marathon and I knew a ton of people on the course. It was definitely the funnest time I ever had at a marathon.

I had good results following a Hal Higdon plan last year for a HM. FWIW.

But, thanks for the pointer, I'll look into Hason for my next one as well.