Marathon schedule...need your input

SpartyGirl · Nov 11, 2010

Okay, here's my first shot - help.
 
Marathon is MARCH 20th; this week is week 1.
 
Need to know -
-dance is my XT, it stays no matter what.
-race during week 16 is XTERRA and it stays.
-possible 50k on April 16th 4 weeks after marathon.
 
GOALS
1-Finish strong (no death march)
2-Beat first marathon time in 2006 of 5:35 (12:37 pace)
3-Sub 5 hours (11:26 pace); at this point I don't know if this is a stretch or not...but in my gut I know I can hit this mark.
 
 
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:757px;" width="757"><tbody><tr><td style="width:80px;">
Week/Day
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Monday
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Tuesday
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Wednesday
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Thursday
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Friday
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Saturday
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
Sunday
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
TOTALS
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
1
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
6mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
12
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
2
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
5k RACE
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
9
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
3
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi Tempo
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
7mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
13
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
4
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
10k
TRAIL RACE
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
13.2
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
5
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
Tempo
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3 mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
8mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
14
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
6
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
10mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
17
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
7
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
5mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
11mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
19
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
8
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
Tempo
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
9mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
17
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
9
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
5mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
13mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
21
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
10
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
Tempo
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
15mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
21
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
11
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
6mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
13.1 RACE?
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
23.1
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
12
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
17mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
25
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
13
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
5mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
18mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
27
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
14
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
7mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
5mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
13mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
25
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
15
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
5mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
20mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
29
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
16
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
7mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
13.1
TRAIL RACE
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
25.1
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
17
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
6mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
4mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
18mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
28
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
18
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
6mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
6mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
8mi
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
 
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
20
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:80px;">
19
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
5mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
Dance
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:79px;">
3mi
</td>
<td style="width:85px;">
REST
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
26.2 RACE
</td>
<td style="width:96px;">
37.2
</td>
</tr></tbody></table>

Stitcher · Nov 11, 2010

Don't forget the half marathon in January!
 
<img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif">
 
S

namhela · Nov 11, 2010

Just wondering are you runs on Tuesday and Thursday going to be a tempo run, or just a few of them?

SpartyGirl · Nov 11, 2010

Stitch - That's week 11. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">
 
Namhela - Honestly...I don't know. I know that tempo runs would be to my benefit, but I'm concerned about tempo runs AND super long runs in the same week.
 
C'mon folks, this is right up your alley! A REAL thread you can sink your teeth into. <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif">

Heather H · Nov 11, 2010

Good topic Sparty!!
 
I would definitely go for more tempo/speedwork on some of the T/Th runs
you may want to do just a little 20 min. "tune up" run on Fri or Sat. before the race (not that 3 miles is much more)
 
Looks pretty similar to my training plan from last year. I'm about the same pace as you and I ran a hilly marathon at a fairly leisurely pace (stopped to talk to friends, stopped to pet puppies, etc) in 5:26, so I think your goals are definitely achieveable on this plan!

donskiman · Nov 11, 2010

Two things struck me immediately. One is that this plan is extremely light on actual running, and the second is that your long run each week is almost always much more than 50% of your weekly total. Neither are ideal for marathon training. If just getting to the finish with no time goal is what you want, it will be OK.

SpartyGirl · Nov 11, 2010

Don - True. Very true. My first and only marathon was disastrous. I remember a 19 mile run and a 15 mile run...those were my longest runs. I do NOT want a repeat performance and am committed to my long runs, but you're right the weekly runs are super short.
 
As of RIGHT NOW my mid-week runs are at lunch which I like b/c then I am outside, but I'm kinda slow so 4-5 miles is doable as long as I eat at my desk which is totally possible. I can go longer in the evenings if I'm willing to hit the treadmill...ATL is hilly and on the TM I tend to keep it right around 1-1.5% so that would definitely have to change.
 
CRAP doing this alone is hard. I miss coaching track. I know how to do track schedules.

niemsco · Nov 11, 2010

When in doubt leave out the speed. You don't need it.
 
Don't take this the wrong way, but there are certain things certain levels of runners should be doing to maximize their performance based on years of training and experience. To steal someones tag line I once saw, but very applicable, speed is the icing on the cake, but you have no cake yet. The staple for you is going to be the long run. The more you can do, the better chances you will have finishing comfortably. You want this to be a good experience, then focus here, add to weekly mileage to improve your overall volume, in doing that if there is a chance to extend one of those weekly runs to a "medium-long" run do that. 
 
You also need to do pace runs. Are you going to run at expected marathon pace in those halfs? Doing that on a trail race would be very difficult.
 
That's my opinion, mr. not the marathoner dude. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by SpartyGirl <a href="/forum/thread/71090/marathon-schedule-need-your-input#post_1961592"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Stitch - That's week 11. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">
 
Namhela - Honestly...I don't know. I know that tempo runs would be to my benefit, but I'm concerned about tempo runs AND super long runs in the same week.
 
C'mon folks, this is right up your alley! A REAL thread you can sink your teeth into. <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif">
</div>
</div>

Heather H · Nov 11, 2010

Hey Ali- I know Don is WAY faster than us and I know he knows how to REALLY train for a marathon-and a fast one, but even so, I'm going to respectfully disagree with him. **Don, please don't throw things at me!!**<img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">
 
I think given your life at the moment and your goals, your shorter lunch time runs will work well. I know for me, lunch runs are great stress relievers and getting home form work and then getting on the treadmill for 7 miles listening to Gus cry when you could be playing with him instead just doesn't sound fun at all.
 
I rarely ran more than 3 times a week and I usually did 3-4 miles during the week with a few 5-7 milers thrown in at times, like I said my race was hilly and I ran a fairly leisurely pace, and I ENJOYED the entire race (I definitely wasn't fast, but I think if I had tried I could have come pretty close to 5 hours), so while it may not be ideal training wise, it can be done and I think making your training as enjoyable as possible is really important.
 
Just my opinion. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">

SpartyGirl · Nov 11, 2010

Scott - I totally don't have the cake yet!! And for me 'speed' would look a lot more like pick-ups, not full blown speed workouts, just to keep me entertained as opposed to the plodding that I seem to do. The trail half is for points in the XTERRA series, so it will be as hard as I can go without exploding - there is no possible way it will match the January half I have planned which is on the roads. I think during my longer runs (15-18 mile range) will be my pace work.
 
Good stuff everyone - keep it coming!

hobey · Nov 11, 2010

I'm with Don & Scott. At this point, all your gains will just be in LSD and building your mileage. The speed will come later. The one thing that really stood out for me was how low your peak mileage was.
 
I pulled one of the beginner marathon plans from Runner's World and it looks like it will fit your needs while still allowing you to dance. <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6946-2-3X5X7-4,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6946-2-3X5X7-4,00.html</a>
 
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" width="500"><tbody><tr align="center"><td style="width:26px;">Week</td>
<td style="width:21px;">M</td>
<td style="width:64px;">T</td>
<td style="width:52px;">W</td>
<td style="width:53px;">T</td>
<td style="width:22px;">F</td>
<td style="width:48px;">S</td>
<td style="width:44px;">S</td>
<td style="width:34px;">Total</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">1*</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">4 miles, including 4:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">1-hour run</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">4 miles</td>
<td style="width:44px;">6 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">15-16 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">2</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">4 miles, including 4:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">1-hour run</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">4 miles</td>
<td style="width:44px;">7 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">15-16 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">3</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">4 miles, including 5:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">6 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;">8 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">18-19 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;height:14px;">4</td>
<td style="width:21px;height:14px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;height:14px;">4 miles, including 5:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;height:14px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;height:14px;">6 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;height:14px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;height:14px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;height:14px;">9 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;height:14px;">18-19 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">5</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">4 miles, including 3x2:00 AI</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">4 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">5-K race</td>
<td style="width:44px;">6-8 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">19-21 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">6</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 6:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">7 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;">10 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">22-24 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;height:25px;">7</td>
<td style="width:21px;height:25px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;height:25px;">5 miles, including 6:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;height:25px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;height:25px;">7 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;height:25px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;height:25px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;height:25px;">12 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;height:25px;">22-24 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">8</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 7:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">8 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;">12 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">25-27 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">9</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 7:00UTUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">8 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;">14miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">25-27 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">10</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 3x3:00 AI</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">4 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">10-K race</td>
<td style="width:44px;">5 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">24 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">11</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 8:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">9 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;">16 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">30-32 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">12</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 8:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">9 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:44px;">18 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">30-32 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">13</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 9:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">10 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">4 miles</td>
<td style="width:44px;">20 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">39 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">14</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">5 miles, including 9:00 TUT</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">10 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">4 miles</td>
<td style="width:44px;">10 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">29 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">15</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">3 miles, including 3X3:00 AI</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">5 miles</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">3 miles, including 3x2:00 AI</td>
<td style="width:44px;">5 miles</td>
<td style="width:34px;">16 miles</td>
</tr><tr><td style="width:26px;">16</td>
<td style="width:21px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:64px;">3 miles, Including 3x2:00 AI</td>
<td style="width:52px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:53px;">3-mile jog</td>
<td style="width:22px;">Rest</td>
<td style="width:48px;">2-mile jog</td>
<td style="width:44px;">Marathon</td>
<td style="width:34px;"> </td>
</tr></tbody></table>

Thor · Nov 11, 2010

hobey, scott, and don have you covered. Don't worry about speed, and I like Scott's quote with regard to that. Although speed is absolutely necessary to put icing on the cake, you have to have cake in order put icing on, and honestly, I think speed would tire you out more than anything. That said, I also read your quote saying that you would do speed, or tempo, more as pickups, which I think would be very, very good too.
 
I'm pretty slammed right now at work but hope to go over this again and think about it more.
 
Your goal is to build strenght per body weight, and the best way to do that is through LSD type runs. On top of that, consistency really is the meat here, so it would be very beneficial to perhaps up the run early in the week as you can and/or insert a Friday sojourn. I think running four days per week will, by the halfway mark of this schedule, make those long runs feel easier. And try to find someone to do the long runs with. It really, really, really makes it far easier. Far easier.

juliemboyle · Nov 11, 2010

Don/Thor/Hobey: Let's not forget that Sparty has a baby and a full time job. If she is to pick up the mileage, she will be forced to do it either before or after work and I am guessing that is not likely to happen at the end of the long day when you get home from work and are just seeing your baby.......???????? 
 
Sparty: Can you work the schedule so you can run both Sat & Sun so you can do 4 runs a week? I don't know, I just know this will be difficult to do with a full time job and a baby.
 
Good luck!

SpartyGirl · Nov 11, 2010

Good stuff - I feel so well taken care of. <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif">
 
Heather - I do want to keep the fun factor alive...I also do not want a repeat of my first marathon; I'm really looking forward to enjoying this challenge.
 
Julie - Bingo. I see the kiddo for approximately 1.5 hours per day. Period. (man, commuting and a full time job suck sometimes!) Of course I know that MOST of us here are parents and have full-time jobs so please don't let me use this as an excuse. 
 
Hobey - Thanks! I really like the Tuesdays on that schedule, not sure if I can do Sat/Sun...someone in our house declared that we're going to church on Sundays.
 
Thor - working on the group thing, the plan is to run intermittently with the local ultra club and the local track club. I don't think they have their training groups set up yet for the spring...will have to check.
 
My goal is to find some balance. I know I'm not fast and my time goals are modest by comparison. This is the beginning of me figuring out how to have fun, get fitter, be supermom. <img alt="wink.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//wink.gif"> The schedule I made was absolute bare bones - what I feel I can commit to without freaking out, so the Tu/Th runs needs some help. How far? If I can squeeze most of those into my lunch hour I can guarantee that I will make 99% of those runs. Hanging out in the basement on the TM after work will happen once in a while (I expect that - I'm not fast enough to fit 6-7 miles in at lunch), but I don't want to count on after work runs...the temptation to relax with the family will win out over a goal time every time. That's just where I am right now.
 
If I survive the stress of making a schedule the training will be easy...right?! <img alt="wink.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//wink.gif">

niemsco · Nov 11, 2010

May or may not be true, but don't say or think that. It becomes a habit for people, if they say or think it enough they never break through and end up accepting mediocrity (I will never this or never that). Its the biggest downfall I see in people in amateur athletics. Be positive <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">
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<div class="quote-block"> I know I'm not fast . 
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mmoonptdeux · Nov 12, 2010

As someone who had to fit in a dance class at one point of their training, I'd say your schedule looks okay, but for me the mileage AND the days running are a little light.
 
When I did 4 marathons in 50 days last year, I just knew I couldn't do 5 days, nor could I go near 50 miles either or I would just get wrecked. Granted, I had some extenuating circumstances (I was coming from a 10-15 mi base two months removed from appendix surgery).
 
I decided 4 days would be ideal, and most of the time, I ran for total time as opposed to distance (except when I ran a race as a training run) - however, you can figure out what works best for you. 
 
I kept two days for strict cross-training (no running; mostly strength training - I figure your dancing will work just fine). I cut back every third week in terms of time ran, but as I got closer I went to a hard/easy/hard/easy schedule.
 
I kept everything in the easy paced range, save for some random fartleks and runs where I focused on a strong finish.
 
So my schedule looked something like this
1st week: 45 min/40 min/1:15/30 min
2nd week: 55/45/1:30/30
3rd week: 40/30/1:00/30
4th week: 1:05/50/1:45/35
5th week: 1:15/55/2:00/35
6th week: 45/40/1:15/30 and so forth.
 
Yeah, the long run ended up to be over that percentage of total mileage figure, but with this schedule it couldn't be helped (I ended up never breaking 40 mpw that whole training cycle.) But I wasn't training to PR, I was training to finish. My first marathon was a training run essentially, and my second one (two Sundays later) I had to focus only on finishing because I ended up catching the flu. However, my final two marathons the work did pay off in PRs, when I ended up breaking my existing PR by 10 min and then broke that new PR by 6 min at the next marathon.
 
I kept up the same easy-paced strategy (with an added running day) during off-season training - all that base work paid off as I ended up knocking off 22 min off the PR I set in 2009 at my goal race in Eugene.
 
I wish you luck, with both juggling everything around and your training!

jroden · Nov 12, 2010

I'm unclear why you want to run a marathon if you are not planning to do much running to prepare for the event. Given the time you have available to invest in the running part of the deal, it might make more sense to work on some pace goals for a shorter race, say break an hour for 10K or whatever is a challenge right now and do a bit of work at a more snappy pace. Having that bit of extra speed will take 20 minutes off your marathon time when you are able to invest the time in a program of running 5-6 days a week.
 
In looking at you plan, I picture yourself starting on an overuse injury during one of your longer runs, then pounding the nail in the coffin the seconda day of dancing early in the week

1Topodope · Nov 12, 2010

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with jroden on this one. To me it looks like you are doing two maintenance runs and one long run each week. I would hardly call that "not planning to do much running." 
 
For the last ten years I have followed the Galloway training method. Your schedule looks very similar to something that we would do. The major differences is that we don't stop at 20 miles. We work up to a 26 mile training run. In addition, once we reach 15 miles we throw in at least two drop down weeks between long runs (disclaimer: now that I have "cake" I tend to ignore this particular Galloway Commandment).
 
I see two areas that stick out to me. Weeks 11-13. First, when you say "race" do you mean this is an all-out effort for you or are you simply referring to an organized event? If you are giving an all-out effort, I wouldn't recommend following your "race" with a 17 mile run weekend and then another 18 mile long run the following weekend. "Cake" would allow you to do this. Without "cake' I wouldn't recommend it. That would again be my question regarding Weeks 16 and 17. 
 
IMHO, the schedule you put together allows you to continue to do what you love - dance - but also build a base that will get you to the finish line....upright....in one piece. Will you come in first place - no. But that isn't your goal anyway. 
 
Good luck!

SpartyGirl · Nov 12, 2010

Scott - How about 'I'm not fast...yet.'

Joe - I think we speak the same language on this one, thanks for the suggestions.
 
JR - I'm certainly not going to disagree that the current schedule is a little loopy, but for now it's just about finishing. It's been a year of adjustment and I guess in a way this race is a way for me to make a stronger connection to the place I'm trying to call home. Finding a running group, making friends here, finding some semblance of normalcy. To sum it up. It's personal.
 
Topodope - Thanks for the encouragement. The 'race' in January is just covering the distance and meeting a kickster, so I'm paying for a training run.

Thanks all. I've been thinking about all of your comments and piecing it together in a way that will work for me and for my family. Lots to chew on. You guys ROCK!

niemsco · Nov 12, 2010

Yeah! I say, I'm going to get a lot faster! Look out! 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by SpartyGirl <a href="/forum/thread/71090/marathon-schedule-need-your-input#post_1961707"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Scott - How about 'I'm not fast...yet.'

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Marathon schedule...need your input

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