Talk to me about training for a full marathon

stpetegirl · April 2012

I am considering doing the WDW full in January. I know it would be about 20 weeks or so of training. What should I expect? How many miles would my "short" runs be toward the end? What should I take into consideration when I decide if I want to go for it?

StingShark425 · April 2012

My "coach" for my running group just gave me my plan for Space Coast -

My weeks are the same every week:

M - 4 easy
T- 6 interval
W- XT
R- 6 tempo
F - Rest
Sat - LR
Sun - Rest

which is fine for me. Anything longer than 6 miles in my neighborhood is torture

IndyGirl02 · April 2012

Here is Hal Higdon's novice plan, which I followed for my first marathon last summer/fall. His longest midweek run is 10 miles, during the peak week of training (with your one 20-mile weekend run).

His strategy is a long run on the weekend, a "sorta-long" run midweek on Wed, and then short runs (only 4-5 miles max) on Tues and Thurs.

Marathon training is time-consuming any way you slice it. Of course it's ok to juggle and skip runs every once in awhile, but if you do that too often, you'll feel it on race day. So you have to make sure you can set aside the time to get all the running in.

daisysle · April 2012

You definitely need to research training programs and find one that will work for you and that you will stick to! I have used Hal Higdon's training programs for variosu distances and have had success with them.

stpetegirl · April 2012

I feel like the weekend long runs will of course be challenging, but something I can do. I'm not sure if I can make the time commitment to 10 mile mid week runs.

GRKaters · April 2012

You'll need a solid, dependable plan for childcare on the weekend. Even with a running group who provides childcare and a spouse home most Saturdays, it's not always easy to get to our long runs with DS in tow.

I think HH's Novice II plan doesn't quite go to 10mi in the midweek runs, which is why I chose to follow that one for my first two marathons (4:35 and 3:56, respectively). It has slightly lower midweek mileage than the Novice I plan.

wellfleet04 · April 2012

I did the Intermediate Plan from Tom Holland's Marathon Method book for my full. It was similar to HH in that it had a sort of long midweek run (8-10 miles towards the end) and long weekend runs, but otherwise 3-6 miles two times a week for only 4 running days total/week. I finished in 4:07, which I was happy with.

It was a BIG time commitment, especially with little kids (1.5 and 3.5 at the time). I needed to set up babysitting to get the midweek long run in, as well as the Saturday long runs (because my husband also ran the same race, and he ran in the mornings before work so that was not an option for me.) Juggling the time for running for both of us was all-consuming for those four months, so definitely factor in how you'll find the time. I doubt I'll do it again, and definitely not when we're both doing the same race because it really took a toll on our family time. We both wanted to just chill after the long weekend runs, but by then the sitter had gone home, so we just had to rally and deal with the kids, running around, etc.

Mrs.Handy · April 2012

GRKaters:

I think HH's Novice II plan doesn't quite go to 10mi in the midweek runs, which is why I chose to follow that one for my first two marathons (4:35 and 3:56, respectively). It has slightly lower midweek mileage than the Novice I plan.

The longest midweek run is 8 miles. This is the one I'm following for my first marathon in October. I'm a little worried about childcare as well, but DH is not training for a marathon so that is good.

thom2022 · April 2012

I wouldn't worry too much about fitting in a 10 mile mid-week run every week, especially for your first marathon. I ran my 1st last spring, and I think my longest mid-week was usually 6-7 miles. With that said, I think I could have run a stronger race if I would have put in a few more miles and increased my training volume. But, I had a realistic goal time for myself and I was able to reach it by running 25-35 mpw and topping out around 40 mpw.

I'm sure all of us, if we had unlimited time to train, would like to put in more miles or more quality workouts, but obviously we have to juggle real life too. Smile You've got to be serious about getting in some runs during the week and making time for your long run, BUT don't be stressed if you can't train quite as much as you would like. I think you can definitely do it. Disney sounds like a fun race for your 1st marathon too!

taratru · April 2012

I'm using HH's plan. My longest mid-week run is 8 mi.

It isn't the actual training that's killing me right now...it's just that it's so looooong. I feel like I've been preparing for a year. I just blogged about it last night. It really hasn't been hard to find the time, even with working and kids, but it's definitely something that I'll only be able to do once a year.

shorty20 · April 2012

It really just depends on the plan. I've done two fulls and have never run anything more than 7-8 miles during the week.

Overall the training is a huge commitment, mentally and physically, but it is so worth it when you cross that finish line!

sm · April 2012

shorty20:
It really just depends on the plan. I've done two fulls and have never run anything more than 7-8 miles during the week.

Overall the training is a huge commitment, mentally and physically, but it is so worth it when you cross that finish line!

this is my experience.

i'm about to sign up for another marathon (i've done 2 so far), and I have to mentally prepare myself for the commitment. It just takes so much of your time. I have a nasty commute to/from work, then a busy/stressful work day, have to do chores at home, and THEN also go run for an hour.

Talk to me about training for a full marathon

Re: Talk to me about training for a full marathon

Choose Another Board

Search Boards