Marathon Runners or Trainers Wanted

I have a quick question to run past anyone with marathon training experience. I ran my first and only marathon in 1990 when I was 23. I have been thinking about running another for the last several years and finally signed myself up for the Lochness Marathon in October.

My question is training. I currently run1 10-12 miles 3 times a week, for a weekly average of 30 miles. I have a few issues with the insertion point in my left leg, and try not to run more than 3 times a week. However, most training programs suggest running shorter distances during the week (3-8 miles) and an increasing long run on the weekends. They also avvocate running 5 days a week.

I know I need to get my weekend run mileage up from its current 12 (and a rare 13 miles) to at least 20 -- over then next 17 weeks. However, what I want to know from you is yoru thoughts on the weekday runs.  Better consecutive days at lower mileage or a few days at 10+ miles plus a long weekend run?

THANKS!

hey i've run quite a few marathons - qualified for upcoming boston......

IMPORTANT!!!!!! you shouldn't be doing the 10-12 runs 3 times a week!!!! just from personal experience/talk with my trainer you'll probably end up with an injury and it will not help with your endurance. 

i used to do long runs like you 4 days a week.....now i'm down to doing 1 long run a week (12-15 miles...which i build on during marathon training).  and i do 3 short runs during the week 3-8 miles....and twice a week i do sprinting. if you want to increase your endurance you should really incorporate sprinting....i used to run 6 miles in an hour...now i run 8 miles in an hour after doing sprinting (run as fast as you can for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then walk for 2 minutes....repeat 10-12 times)...

it seems counterintuitive but running less will actually help you to run more.  i used to get injured alllllllllllll the time...i would run at about a 6.5-7mile per hour pace........and i would be exhausted by the end....now i can run way faster and my endurance is soo much better!

hopefully that helps!

I did my first marathon running twice a week for 30 minutes then a long run on the weekend, using the Galloway method.  Depending on what your goal for your marathon is, 3 times a week is fine.  What's important in my mind is that you find a plan and stick to it.  That, more than anything else, will see you through to the finish on marathon race day.

Here is a good web site focused on woman that have some plans you might find interesting.  You have a really good base, so you can jump into the early weeks whever you need to in order to fit your time frame for the race.

I am training for my third.  I use the Hal Higdon training plan (Google it if you don't have it).  It has short runs 3x during the week and a long run (gradually working up to 20 miles) on Sundays. 

I've been looking at the training programs you mentioned and realize that I need to change the way I'm running.  Thank you all for taking the time to respond and let me know what has worked for you.

I think I'm going to use a hybrid training program based on the Hal Higon method, but with a total of 4 runs during the week (1 long run) and not 5. I also need to figure out how to plan ahead for the 20+ mile runs, as I will be in southern italy in August and running 3 hours in the heat is not easily done. But that's a minor detail.

Thanks again!!! And I'll let you know how it goes.

Hey Scaroppo!

I saw this old post and was wondering how your training is going?  October is close!

I'm running a marathon in WI on Oct. 10.  I've done 10 with some longer trail runs. For me, if I can get a mid length run in mid week it makes make longer runs on the weekend a bit easier.  If you're injury prone, I would stick to the 4 days a week to make sure you're recovering well.  If you had two fairly easy runs, one middle length run with one long run I would think you could do well. For some reason I can really abuse my body running and it is always ready for more.  I suppose it's genetics.  

Good luck!  You look great in your pics!

Kent

Hey Kent50021, THANK YOU!

Yes, October is VERY close. Training is going well and I've been pleasantly surprised that increasing the number of days a week that I run (4 days of between 3 and 8 miles + 1 long run) has actually helped minimize the problem that I have with my tendons.

My first and only marathon was in the Midwest -- Twin Cities, 1990. It was a fantastic experience and I'm sure that Wisconsin in October will be just as beautiful. My marathon is in Scotland and we'll be running along Loch Ness.

I've been able to log both a 20 and a 21 mile run, and ran my last long run (19 miles) last Sunday. This Sunday is the Turin Half Marathon and then I start the countdown for Scotland. All in all my goal is to have fun, to finish without walking and to see whether or not I can break 4 hours.

Thanks again and I'll let you know how it goes.

Hey!!! Good luck in your training! I'm doing my first marathon in late October, and I've been following this plan: http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_sc h_2.html

However, this says to run 5 days a week and I've actually only been running 4 days a week. 5 days made me too tired! Maybe next time I'll up the training. 

And yeah, you have to plan your long runs in advance. It's a big production for me - takes me half the day. I lay out everything the night before, including my Ipod, water belt, gel packs, chapstick, and running clothes. I also make sure I have powerade in stock and ice. I wake up 45-60 minutes before my run, stretch, eat, drink, pee/poo. Then I do my run - depending on how long the run is, it takes me between 2 and 4 hours. Then after the run, I take a 15 minute ice bath. Then I eat a huge breakfast about 30 minutes later. Then stretching. 

haha it's a big production!!! Good luck :) :)