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| time to get ready for Boston |
I don't have a FORMAL one! I like to leave room for flexibility and life.
Here's my casual plan:
-RUN #1: one long run per week (saturday morning with my training team, mileage determined by the coach, geared towards Boston on April 14th.) pace 8:00 to 8:15-ish
-RUN #2: one mid-week "longer" run at a casual-ish pace (a distance longer than 1/2 the saturday long run- i.e. if long run is 16 miles, I'd do 8-10 miles for this run)
-RUN #3: one "faster/speedy" run 4-6 miles...either a few miles where I push the pace OR workout on the track
-RUN #4: (optional) 6-7 easy fun miles
-lift weights once a week
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| goal: stick some muscles on these legs |
Summary: run 3-4 times per week, strength training 1 X week
My long runs will always be on Saturday morning, but my other runs are just splattered throughout the week, wherever they happen to fit well with my work schedule. I work three 12 hour shifts per week (half the shifts are overnight shifts and the other half are daytime shifts) and I don't run on days when I work.
This is what I've done on my previous marathons and I've had pretty good luck, so I figured that I'd try this type of "training plan" again.
I'll follow up in a few weeks with more details of how I'm going to incorporate half ironman training into my schedule as well :)
Do you follow a strict training plan?
I usually love planning and being all organized, so I'm the type who would love a routine running schedule/training plan, but I just can't because my work schedule changes every week. So I run for fun, but I try to have a general purpose for each run. This doesn't always happen, but that's just fine!
Yay, Boston training time! I'm so excited for you! I usually follow a plan, although I don't freak out if I miss something. I figure that's life. If I'm injured and miss something, I get more bummed out because you never know when things will get back to normal with that kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I like that idea! Good compromise of structure and flexibility...I should probably do something like that too. I do find out my schedule a couple weeks in advance so I could at least plan a little in advance...but still remain relaxed if I have to rearrange some things!
DeleteSome times I wish I was a had such a casual out look on running... But I come from a track back ground at school and love a full program!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I'm not more OCD about my training, a full program does sound very appealing to me!
DeleteSorry I ment to go on and say there is nothing wrong with your plan, but I would say run more if you can who knows you could run a 3h15 and then we could have you thinking of training hard and running a sub 3!!!
ReplyDeleteI know, I ran an average of 32 miles per week leading up to my 3:26 marathon.....so if I really focused and followed a real training plan, I bet I could really cut some time off of that! Maybe I DO need a personal running coach to help me get that figured out!
DeleteI'm actually following a fairly laid out plan, and my schedule should allow for it, but I am more going to tweak it from week to week depending on weather. For example, long run is supposed to be on Sunday, but it is supposed to be 48 degrees on Saturday, so I will run then, instead of in freezing temps. I want to be as flexible as possible. You going to cross train at all beyond weight?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan that will keep it from seeming too routine. I have to always have a plan, though, I've kept the same amount of miles, same days as my routine, race or not, for years...except when injuries pop up!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with training. I usually follow a strict plan, but then again, I've never trained for a full marathon. :)
ReplyDeleteI like this plan! I think running four days a week will really keep injury at bay so that after Boston and some recovery time you can get right into your 1/2 Ironman training!
ReplyDeleteI've never followed a plan to train for a marathon. I like to have a plan for Ironman training, but it's rare that I follow it (as much as I'd love to). Life does just get in the way!
I'm training for my first full, so I'm following a pretty strict plan. After that, and assuming I want to do another full, I'll take some time to figure out what REALLY worked and what really didn't happen or what didn't NEED to happen. Time will only tell! :)
ReplyDeleteI used to follow a strict training plan but I have found over the past year that it became too stressful when I couldn't fit the "right type" of run in that day. A flexible plan is the way to go for me these days. Yours looks very similar to mine! You'll do great!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the fun training! Marathon training should be FUN, right? I'm flexible with all my training. I just try to force myself to run fast a couple times a week. But I stick to running only 3-4 times a week like you are, so I have every confidence that you are gonna do great!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good training plan!! You're going to rock it girl!
ReplyDeleteI like your plan and if it has worked for you before then it should work again. I like having a plan because it keeps me in check. I can avoid over training if I have something in writing. If I go with the flow of things I tend to add in a lot of junk miles.
ReplyDeleteNo strict training plan for me these days. That seems to be my demise of anything good! Almost forgot that you are doing Boston! Sounds like your plan is a good one. Flexibility is the key to reachin the finish line of any marathon healthy and in the right mind frame.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you've got a great plan for Boston! I like the flexibility of something like that because I feel guilty if I have to bail on a workout from a more structured plan. HOWEVER, training with Coach Britt was awesome and afforded some flexibility with the stricter plan which gave me great success :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck and happy training!
I like your style!
ReplyDeleteI have a training plan but I know that I'll have to be flexible with a baby at home. I think it's good to have structure, but life happens!
ReplyDeleteIn the past I've followed a strict one [NYC Marathon], tried to follow a strict one and gotten seriously derailed by crazy work hrs [almost all the 1/2s I've done], and this half I've made up my own - similar to what you suggested above. It's been a bumpy plan so we'll see what happens this wkend. wish me luck - I need all the help I can get!
ReplyDeleteI'm similar, I have a plan however every week it seems to get rearranged due to life happening :) I do CrossFit 3x/week and then run 2-3 weekday runs and a Saturday long run. Good luck in your training!
ReplyDeleteMy first one I followed the plan exactly bc I was paranoid. Ha. Now having done 2 I feel like I could be more flexible and do what you're doing. However I do like plans bc I feel more obligated to push harder or run further if the book is "telling" me I have to.
ReplyDeleteI like having a training plan and love to check a workout off. In the beginning i freaked out if i missed a run, but now i just focus on getting my planned weekly mileage in and also my long run on saturday.
ReplyDeleteMost people think that marathon training with our schedules would be so easy, but it's actually hard with the changing days and night shifts! I usually base my running schedule around my work schedule and make myself get out for a run on ONE of the days I work...but that's usually just an easy run.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the midst of training for my first 1/2 in March. IT IS NOT EASY...trying to squeeze in "long" runs while working overnight aaaaannnnd enduring nursing school! It's a challenge; but I'm doing it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your training!
THF
Being in the field of medicine as well, there's no way I can stick to a strick schedule. I also run 3-4 miles a week, peaking at 35-40 mpw when marathon training. It's gotten me through a 3:19 marathon, so there's certainly no need to run every day putting in 60+ mpw, especially when we have to deal with crazy schedules!
ReplyDeleteI usually stick to a schedule (and I love researching and reading about plans), but this year I am winging it for Boston due to injury. I think that I will do a plan similar to yours, based on how my foot is feeling. I'm excited to follow your journey!
ReplyDelete