this is a part of runner’s lounge take it and run thursday.
this week’s topic is… boston and marathon madness
boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year’s marathon season. in celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans. take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.
we all know i am a lover of the pfitzinger training program from the book advanced marathoning. thank you to jen for recommending it to me and getting me hooked!
my training so far…
#1: for my first marathon, i used a schedule that was given to us as part of the team i was training with. it was a 4 day a week schedule, 2 days of general runs, one day with a “tempo” run (and at the time my tempo was just run faster), and one day with a long run. i used it as a base but tweaked some of it as i went and did my own research on marathon training.
#2: since i had my first marathon under my belt, i was ready for a more of a challenge in a training schedule. i had a better base of running and decided to tackle the pfitz 12/55 schedule for CIM. it was definitely a challenge and there was a week or 2 when i really thought it was too much for me. but i finished it and took 20 minutes off my first marathon time and wanted more.
#3: i did some reflecting on my training before starting with a second round of pfitz. i wanted to be more successful this time, and being through the schedule once before really helped. for this cycle i went into it with a much better base (4 weeks of 40 general miles per week) and i really could tell the difference. i had a better idea of the program and a better understanding of why certain workouts were where they were and what certain workouts meant. i also knew things that did and didn’t work for me the first time around, and could tweak the schedule to me. i have really enjoyed this second round of pfitz and plan to use his training cycle again, i might even bump up to the 18 week schedule for my next marathon (but let’s get through this one coming up first!).
my keys to marathon training success:
- make training a priority but know there will be days where life, work, being sick, gets in the way… with schedules like pfitz, you have to move on and not look back to try to make up miles. just keep moving forward.
- be realistic and know what you can or can’t handle. set training goals that are possible and reasonable for yourself. sometimes i try to fit too much in and i know that i won’t be able to, so i have to step back and be realistic with my time and energy.
- have a base… if you are picking a more demanding schedule like pfitz, have a strong base going into it. i think week one should feel easy, so try to get those solid base building miles in before you start.
- be flexible when you need to be… if you are exhausted, take a rest day. if you get sick, take a day off. if you are hurting, take time off. the training plan will be there when you get back.
- but don’t be too flexible… i find that when i am constantly trying to move days around and switch things up, it gets to be overwhelming and my training suffers. sometimes you can’t help it due to other priorities, but sometimes there isn’t an excuse. get your runs done, do the miles, don’t question yourself. when my schedule said 12 miles, i went out and did 12 miles. some days i didn’t feel like it, but i just did it, no choice, no backing out, get it done. half the game is mental, so finishing up runs and not quitting is never an option for me.
- listen to your body… there is a difference between hurting/being sore from training and injury pain. know when your body needs a break, but know when its ok to push it. there is a line! you will be tired from training and sometimes that tired is a good thing to push through, and sometimes it means you need to stop.
- stay healthy… you are asking a lot from your body, take care of it. feed it good foods/fuel, ice your legs, stretch, roll, take your vitamins, get enough sleep.
- don’t look too far ahead… focus on your run today, don’t worry about next week or the weekend’s run. get through today’s training before worrying about tomorrow’s.
- stay focused… know your goals, know your expectations and remind yourself of them, don’t lose sight of them mid-training.
- find what works for you… not all plans are for everyone! know what you want out of a training program and find one that fits. don’t be afraif to tweak plans for make them your own.
- have fun! try out new routes, run with friends, reward yourself, give yourself things to look forward to during training so you don’t burn out.
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this morning i had a wonderful easy run with my dogs… 2.5 miles each. i kept the pace easy and my legs are feeling very good. they are already thanking me for tapering 
5.0 miles/45:34/9:07 avg pace
10 days to go!
don’t forget to comment on my giveaway!
Those are all great tips! Now if you could only give us some magic tips on how to become super speedy like you.
I have decided that this is the year I want to work my but off and get my PR marathon time. However, I am concerned with getting overuse injuries like I have had in the past so am planning on keeping my running to 4 days a weeks with 2 days of biking/cross training. I’d love to hear if anyone know of any great 4 day/wk marathon programs that they would recommend???
excellent tips! you have almost convinced me to try pfitz for Chicago
word: no choice, no backing out, get it done. my training philosophy exactly
just do it. you are getting so close to race day, awesome!
This is great stuff – thanks for the suggestions. I’m currently running about 40 miles on my high weeks, and I’d like to try to step that up for the fall as I contemplate an ultra. I’ll definitely have to pay attention to these tips!
Those are all excellent pieces of advice!
Be flexible…but don’t be too flexible! Excellent advice! You don’t want to go crazy trying to fit everything in.
I definitely think I’m going to try Pfitz for my next marathon (fall?)…I like the speedwork that he includes, which isn’t something I’ve done before in marathon training. The eighteen week plans seem a bit daunting, so I might be on the 12/55 track too! Only time will tell!
Great post, I like what you say about being flexible but not too flexible. I’ve found that to be true in my training too.
Great post! I feel like I should read this once a week for the next 6 months!
I enjoyed reading this. Thanks!
Great suggestions/tips/etc. I’m looking to do my first full, after doing 4 halfs will be 6 by then, next May (EEEEEEEEEEEEK!) So it’s nice to have some imput on all the things to consider. Also, I was just looking at your upcoming races, and totally didn’t realize you are running TWO marathons in May. Holy wowsers.
Excellent tips! Really got me motivated today..
K you have me beat with 14 thanks. Phew. I’m planning on doing the Green Bay WI marathon in May. I’m a HUGE HUGE HUGE Packers fan (did I mention huge?) and I always said that would be the first one I do. So I figured I’d suck it up and finally do it this time.
Thanks for the marathon advice!
Great advice Aron! I placed a link to your blog for my beginner runners that I teach. They are training for a Fourth of July Road Race, but I think it is still applicable advice
Wow! Only ten days! It’s getting close! Sounds like the taper is going well
Awesome post Aron!
10 days!! eeeee everyone is getting SO CLOSE to their races!! I LOVE it
Great tips. I agree with all of them however I struggle with the whole listening to my body thing. That’s why I’m rehabbing.
Those are some really great tips! Pftiz sounds interesting, but I think I need a slightly less demanding schedule knowing I have knee issues when I up the mileage too much!
Wow, just 10 days?
Good tips for training.
I’d love to run the Alameda Creek Trail sometime with you. Or, hike with the dogs. But, for sure, this summer, you will try trail running.
Oh, I’m in for the 1/2. Registered tonight. Woot!
What a great progression! I can’t wait to see what the second round of Pfitz does for you! PR, here you come!
All great stuff! Where was this a year ago when I first started thinking about running a marathon?
)
I’m so happy runners lounge had this as the topic this week! I love your post and i’m going to save it so i can look back on it while planning my training!
I just want to say thank you for all of your help– id be lost without your advice! you ROCK!
You’re becoming a marathon pro! What great advice
What great advice. I certainly would not have tried the Pfitz without your experiences to read about and you continue to be an example and an inspiration. Maybe one day I’ll be as skinny and as fast! In the meantime enjoy the taper and send me some speedy thoughts on Sunday morning! x
Great advice Aron. I think we all learn as we go along. Glad you were able to find a program that works so well for you.
great advice. too bad we can’t just know it all from the start, but it makes the journey fun. you seem to have taken a much more practical and wise approach and it is clearly paying off in your consistent improvements.
Great tips! I got the Phitz book a few weeks ago, and I will design a combo Phitz-First for my next marathon training cycle. Can’t wait for your marathon! Ana-Maria
10 days is gonna fly by!!! i am printing out your list and pasting it in my journal
yay!
I agree with all of your bullet points. I think that you DO have to make it a priority and sometimes just have to get out there and get the miles in!
Before you know it you will be running that marathon! Your advice about marathons is always great! I love following your training and I think if I ever run a marathon I will have to look at all your old training!
Great tips!!
I love how organized this is…it’s very me
I’m going to start looking at the pfitz stuff to supplement my current training…
You’re so close now!!!
Love your success tips. I’ll need those in about six months.
Great tips!
Great post! If all goes well, I am hoping to ease into Pfitz training, so your feedback and tips really help!
I’m considering Pfitz for next time. Great tips!
You definitely gave some great advice. It sounds like the Pfitz plan has been working really well for you. I know you are going to rock your upcoming marathon! Have a great weekend!
Excellent post with great tips and ideas, Aron. You are my inspiration for improving marathon times and I know I will look back on many of your posts in the months to come as I endeavor to improve this year.
Great list of marathoning keys! I agree with all of them, esp. that last one.
Enjoy your last week of tapering!
Great post! You are such a good student of running. There is a lot to learn still so I know you’ll continue to improve!
See you SOOOOOON! I’ll email you soon to discuss some plans. It’s YOUR big day so I will adjust to whatever works best for you.
For the pfitz program, did you get a book for it or get something online?
Great tips! you have done a great job with all of the training, really level-headed!
Loved your review! I hope next time to try pfitz when I know I will have the time to put in the miles.
I’m not sure Pftiz will ever be for me.
I completely agree with the balance between life (i.e. getting sick, hurting and needing rest) vs. too much juggling.
“don’t be too flexible”
I was never very flexible with my training until post-baby. Now its always tomorrow, next week, or just plain old forget-about-it. But, I do admit I was overly flexible during training regarding food. If one cupcake wasnt going to hurt, then two wouldnt either … right?
Omg! You are down to a week! You’ve trained well. Enjoy the rest of the taper.
~carpeviam
LOVE this post! you said it perfectly!!! you’re seriously my Pfitz guru..THANK YOU for all your help during this training schedule!
Obviously this is an older post, but I found it links off of Runners Lounge. Anyways, just wanted to say that your blog has been a huge source of great information for me. Thanks for posting!!!