Marathon Runners Thread

[RedDog]

After a long hiatus I started running about a year ago and have signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon in October. Right now I'm just building up mileage and trying to shed about 10 pounds until June when I start training. The last time I did this I followed a Hal Higdon training program. My question to anyone in the know is... What other training programs are out there that you've tried and liked.?

 

[cyclonespiker33]

I've only run half marathons and will continue unless I find myself with more free time. I may not be allowed in this thread since I'm not a full marathon runner.

I've used Hal Higdon for my half training and would likely do the same if I were to try a full marathon.

My question for you: With the amount of training required, do you find that you lose a lot of your social life?

 

[Cyfan1965]

I am injured and unable to run anymore but the only piece of advice is do some speed training. My neighbor and I did like 5 mile speed days every other week. It made a world of difference...

Suggested speed workouts:
1) Run two sets of 6 x 400 at 5K pace; jog a 200 for recovery. Take 4 minutes recovery between sets.
2) Run 6-8 x 800 at 10K pace; jog a 200 for recovery.
3) Mile Repeats: 4 x 1 mile at 30 to 45 seconds faster than your goal race pace. Take 3 minutes recovery between mile repeats. Do these on the road, not the track.

Suggested guidelines for speed work:
1) For mile repeats, use 30 to 45 seconds per mile faster than your goal marathon race pace. For track intervals less than one mile, try a pace of 60 to 75 seconds per mile faster than your goal marathon race pace.
2) Use a consistent pace. No more than a 5-second variance in mile repeats or intervals.
3) Track workouts should be no longer than 5 total miles. For longer workouts, use the road.
4) Do mile repeats or 800s during or after higher mileage weeks
5) Do the 400s workout following shorter or cut back mileage weeks

 

[RedDog]

I've only run half marathons and will continue unless I find myself with more free time. I may not be allowed in this thread since I'm not a full marathon runner.

I've used Hal Higdon for my half training and would likely do the same if I were to try a full marathon.

My question for you: With the amount of training required, do you find that you lose a lot of your social life?

Ha, I was going to add 1/2 marathon to the title. The last time I trained it didn't seem like the social life suffered. I just didn't drink as much beer on Friday and Saturday nights before the long runs. But I've always been a morning person and do my runs early in the morning

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Ha, I was going to add 1/2 marathon to the title. The last time I trained it didn't seem like the social life suffered. I just didn't drink as much beer on Friday and Saturday nights before the long runs. But I've always been a morning person and do my runs early in the morning

That makes sense. I can't do waking up early enough to run 5-10 miles before going into work three times a week. If I win the lottery and can quit working a full marathon is something I want to do though.

 

[mj4cy]

If you want some motivation - this guy went from a 300 pound exterminator to a Navy Seal/ultra marathoner. Also holds the record for most pull-ups in 24 hours.

 

[CycloneErik]

That makes sense. I can't do waking up early enough to run 5-10 miles before going into work three times a week. If I win the lottery and can quit working a full marathon is something I want to do though.

You rarely go over 4-6 during the week. You save the double digits for the weekend. That builds your endurance and preserves your knees and ankles.

 

[knowlesjam]

Ha, I was going to add 1/2 marathon to the title. The last time I trained it didn't seem like the social life suffered. I just didn't drink as much beer on Friday and Saturday nights before the long runs. But I've always been a morning person and do my runs early in the morning

Agree on the morning, especially if the run will be in the summer. Long runs after work in the summer are killers...just too hot and humid to get in quality LR's. Much easier to get that 10 mile (20 mile if a marathon) long run at 5:00 AM than 5:00 PM. Now speed workouts...you can definitely do those in the late afternoon/evening if that works for your schedule better.

 

[RedDog]

I am injured and unable to run anymore but the only piece of advice is do some speed training. My neighbor and I did like 5 mile speed days every other week. It made a world of difference...

Suggested speed workouts:
1) Run two sets of 6 x 400 at 5K pace; jog a 200 for recovery. Take 4 minutes recovery between sets.
2) Run 6-8 x 800 at 10K pace; jog a 200 for recovery.
3) Mile Repeats: 4 x 1 mile at 30 to 45 seconds faster than your goal race pace. Take 3 minutes recovery between mile repeats. Do these on the road, not the track.

Suggested guidelines for speed work:
1) For mile repeats, use 30 to 45 seconds per mile faster than your goal marathon race pace. For track intervals less than one mile, try a pace of 60 to 75 seconds per mile faster than your goal marathon race pace.
2) Use a consistent pace. No more than a 5-second variance in mile repeats or intervals.
3) Track workouts should be no longer than 5 total miles. For longer workouts, use the road.
4) Do mile repeats or 800s during or after higher mileage weeks
5) Do the 400s workout following shorter or cut back mileage weeks

Thanks, Higdon doesn't elaborate much on the details of speed work. It helps to see it written down.

 

[stateofmind]

Been there, run that! That's all I have.

 

[RedDog]

Been there, run that! That's all I have.

Twin Cities?

 

[1100011CS]

I've ran 11 marathons including Boston and I've used the Hanson Marathon Method for all but my first (which was a complete bonk using something similar to Higdon's). I highly recommend it.

Edit: link to Amazon won't work so just search

 

[CtownCyclone]

I've ran 11 marathons including Boston and I've used the Hanson Marathon Method for all but my first (which was a complete bonk using something similar to Higdon's). I highly recommend it.

Edit: link to Amazon won't work so just search

That's what I used. I crushed my previous best half-marathon time (in a marathon, no less) with it. Unfortunately, I didn't adjust for race conditions (t-storms, windy, soaked shoes) and faltered at the end.

If I was to get back into it, I'd probably do that method again.

 

[RedDog]

I've ran 11 marathons including Boston and I've used the Hanson Marathon Method for all but my first (which was a complete bonk using something similar to Higdon's). I highly recommend it.

Edit: link to Amazon won't work so just search

This program fits my lifestyle and I think I'll buy the book. Thanks.

Edit for a question: There is basically no taper, did your legs feel fresh race day?

 

[Cyfan1965]

Tell you what there is nothing like waking up at 5:00am on your taper and thinking it is only 12 miles today. It feels like a 5K, your done showered and sipping a coffee in less than 2 hours.

 

[1100011CS]

This program fits my lifestyle and I think I'll buy the book. Thanks.

Edit for a question: There is basically no taper, did your legs feel fresh race day?

There is definitely a taper. It is just relative to what you've been running. And yes, legs feel fresh and strong. Actually, my biggest issue on race day is going out too fast because it feels too easy. You will feel like you have to force yourself to run slow.

 

[CtownCyclone]

This program fits my lifestyle and I think I'll buy the book. Thanks.

Edit for a question: There is basically no taper, did your legs feel fresh race day?

Mine felt fine, FWIW. You get to the point where you're just constantly running and the last week feels somewhat easy.

Link to old RW article that piqued my initial curiousity:
https://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/marathoning-the-hansons-way

 

[1100011CS]

Tell you what there is nothing like waking up at 5:00am on your taper and thinking it is only 12 miles today. It feels like a 5K, your done showered and sipping a coffee in less than 2 hours.

I hear what you're saying but I still hate running in the morning. I do 90% of my runs over lunch. Although, I work from home so have a flexible schedule.

 

[Cyfan1965]

I hear what you're saying but I still hate running in the morning. I do 90% of my runs over lunch. Although, I work from home so have a flexible schedule.

Once you try and do a 18 miler when it is 90+ degrees, massive humidity and your carrying water or Gatorade it will get easier to be a morning person.

 

[CtownCyclone]

Once you try and do a 18 miler when it is 90+ degrees, massive humidity and your carrying water or Gatorade it will get easier to be a morning person.

Yep, living in Houston forced the morning running upon me. Now, with a pregnant wife and a 3 year old, it has become one of the few "me" times that I have left.