Qualifying with a Low Mileage Training Plan

I am so excited to report to you that the dearest Ashley over at A Healthy, Happier Bear recently featured me on her blog.  So please HOP on over there!

Here's a link to my guest post on Ashley's blog.  I also pasted it below.

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Greetings, my new running friends!  I'm Katherine and I blog about my running adventures over at www.NeonBlondeRunner.com.  I'm excited to be featured as today's Marathons+Moderation guest post as I advocate something people don't talk about nearly as often as they should:  low mileage marathon training.

I'm a 3X marathoner with a PR of 3:26, following a fast love affair with running that started in 2010.

I want everyone to know that you do NOT have to do a high mileage program in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon!

I averaged 32 miles per week training for my most recent marathon PR of 3:26.

Here are my keys to marathon success on LOW mileage:

1)  Take rest days.  Your body MUST rest in order to build back muscle.  Do NOT feel guilty about taking a day off when you're just not feeling it.

2)  Run faster to race faster.  Don't be afraid to push your speed at least once per week.  I've added in a speed session every week or so and I believe that it really makes a difference.  You don't even need to do any formal track work if that idea stresses you out-- you can just add a couple "fast" 5K or 10K pace miles into your workouts.

3)  Run with a training group.  When you don't feel like getting out of bed for those early morning runs, you'll be more likely to do it if you have people waiting for you.  Plus, running with a group or buddy will help you push your pace.

4)  Set goals.  Studies have shown that people who set goals have more success.  I don't always set time goals, but I'll set goals about what sort of effort I want to put in during a race.  For example, I'll set goals that I want to negative split or run faster than I did last time.  Or you can have a goal of doing a hill workout once per week.

5)  Make time for non-running activities.  I strongly believe that you need to have balance in your life in order to achieve success in running.  Make time for your friends and family, I've never regretted doing so and I think it leads me to be more focused when it is time to run.

Best of luck to you in your running journey!  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about specific details.

You can find me on...
Twitter @KatherineHopper
Instagram @NeonBlondeRunner
e-mail neonblonderunner@gmail.com

What are you currently training for?  Does your body work better with high or low mileage?
I'm going to run a marathon this fall (TBD) and I think my body works best with low mileage...but I'm willing to try increasing the mileage a little to see what effect it has on my running.