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15 Replies Last post: Jun 26, 2007 1:25 PM by mplatzke 1 2 Previous Next

brynn024

17 posts since
Jun 16, 2007

Jun 25, 2007 7:25 PM

Marathon/Multi Sport Training

I am training for my first marathon in September. I also recently completed my first duathlon, and have another duathlon and my first triathlon (sprint) coming up here in July.

In some of the other forums I've been reading about how you need to be running 40-60 miles per week to not die on your marathon. I am on Hal Higdon's Novice training plan and right now I think I am running about 25 miles per week. It is growing weekly. I'm on week 6 of my program and it is 18 weeks long.

I am also of course training on the bike and swimming. I bike probably 2 days a week, swim once or twice a week and run 4 days a week. I normally have an off day and a day or two where I do bricks or work out two times.

My question is, do you think I'll be okay running a marathon when my mileage isn't going to be high? I wanted to ask you guys because the folks in the other forums will just say "RUN MORE MILES!". Thanks!

melonella

406 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Jun 25, 2007 7:45 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

I did my first (and only) marathon on the same program you are using which involved running 5 days per week with peak mileage of 40-50mpw. I would never do a marathon that way again. The aerobic benefits of biking and swimming are simply too valuable to my running and the "run more miles" approach just brings me to the brink of injury. One caveat, though, is that I'm not exactly a speedster, so a 20mi Z2 run for me was generally over 4hrs...so your mileage may differ.

SpartyGirl

537 posts since
Oct 29, 2007

2. Jun 25, 2007 7:47 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

What is your longest run on the plan? I was all geared up to run a September marathon (nagging injury may get in the way) and am training for a couple of triathlons this summer--LR of 20 (with a peak week of 30) and frankly, that's what my body can handle.

It's different with everyone though, depends on what your goals are. There are others here far better suited to answer this question...

Good luck!

ORBrewDad

113 posts since
Apr 17, 2006

3. Jun 25, 2007 8:18 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

I think it really does matter what your goals are. If you want to just finish the marathon, you can get there on 30-40 mpw. It won't be an enjoyable experience and you may never want to run again, but you should be able to finish the race. The biking and swimming will help you maintain your overall fitness, but the marathon is really about time on your feet. For that you need to run.

I did my first marathon on 40 mpw and finished well but was sore for almost two full weeks afterwards. I just finished my second marathon in April and blew away my time goals training 50-55 mpw and had a much shorter recovery time. Now, I am training for my first sprint tri in late July and also an Oct marathon. For me, since the marathon is a much more important event in my mind, I have tried to maintain my running volume and am doing the bare minimum on the bike and swim. I know I can push through the bike portion of the sprint. I also know that my swim will be weak but that I can't really improve my abilities there given the time until my tri.

So, in the end, you just need to assess your goals for each event, set your priorities, and listen to your body during training.

Good luck.

chrisuletz

549 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Jun 25, 2007 8:44 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

It probably depends a lot on your body and background.
I ran my first Marathon on a modified Hal Higdon's Novice... because of my schedule, I only followed his long run progression, but did it on an average of under 3 runs/week, and about 15-20 miles/week. My target was just to finish, and I did it in 4:40... hurt a lot, but the pain was over in just a few days. So... it's possible to finish it in one piece, with a low mileage. For my 2nd marathon, I trained more, about 3-4 runs a week, peak mileage 20-30/week, and was ready for a 4h marathon, but got sick the day of the race and barely made it to the finish.

I'm not an expert here, but my question is: on a 12-16 miler, if you still feel strong at the end, if you can throw in a few miles at tempo pace, if you can pick up the speed on your final mile, then I think the current weekly mileage is OK. If it doesn't feel that good, then you definitely have to increase the mileage but throwing in longer runs.

Chris

teacherjen

469 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Jun 25, 2007 10:25 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

I would assume, since you're using the HH novice plan that your goal is to finish the race, not to be "competitive."

I think that the cross-training built in to triathlon will only support your marathon training (IF finishing is your main goal) and help keep you injury free. I started doing triathlon after getting injured training for a half-marathon. I did triathlon all summer- no injuries. Then I marathon trained and ended up injured AGAIN. After rehab and now having done 3 triathlons this season, I'm healthy, healthy, healthy.

The point is, next time I train for a big running race, I'm gonna train for it with at least some biking and swimming thrown in. I know that my body at least can't take just the running by itself. Swimming and spinning on your bike are EXCELLENT recovery for your running.

Again, like I said above, much of this isn't the case if you've got a specific time goal or want to be a speed demon on the marathon course. That would take more and more miles running. So of course, YMMV.

good luck!
jen

Bugs34

616 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Jun 25, 2007 10:36 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

You might want to reconsider and do Hal's Int I. You may also want to keep your LR's closer to your MP, say 30-45 seconds.

I did Hal's Int II for my first, which was fine. Second because of injury I ended up doing closer to his Int I plan, but I swam and biked more. The second was a much better marathon, but the experience of the first helped more than the miles.

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Bugs[/URL" target="_blank">

Cashmason

460 posts since
Oct 29, 2007

7. Jun 25, 2007 11:16 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

Bugs, I didn't realize you trained for tri's too.

DONSKIMAN

277 posts since
Nov 25, 2007

8. Jun 25, 2007 11:24 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

Will you be OK on lower weekly mileage? Sure, you'll be able to finish if that's your only goal. You will likely be sore after the marathon for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or more depending on how well your body recovers.

The main reason those other people recommend more weekly mileage is because it will make the actual race much easier, as well as the recovery.

Unlike another person, I found it much better to give up swimming and biking in order to have a decent marathon. My first marathon was done when I was still swimming/biking with lower weekly mileage and it was not a great experience. Whne I just focused on running and increased mileage to 50-60/week the marathon when much better. A further increase to 60-70/week made it even easier. I never would have believed I could run that much, but the more I ran the easier it became.

I don't run that much volume now, but my typical week is usually 30-35 miles when I'm training. Because I've been running that mileage for several years now I don't have to bump up much to be able to run a marathon. The base is cumulative.

So to some extent - more is better. If you can manage the higher mileage it will greatly increase the chances you will have a great marathon experience.

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Don
My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">

scott30025

59 posts since
May 15, 2007

9. Jun 25, 2007 11:38 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

i'm in same situation, I may do an olympic tri on July 29 and marathon on September 16, is the marathon training going to screw my olympic? i would be doing 16 mile long run 4 weeks before and and 18 mile 2 weeks before the triathlon

mbannon

1,814 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Dec 22, 2007 4:53 AM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ORBrewDad:
For me, since the marathon is a much more important event in my mind, I have tried to maintain my running volume and am doing the bare minimum on the bike and swim.
<HR>

We'll fix that, won't we?

BTW, is this your idea of coming out of the multi-sport closet Mr. HOBEY?

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Running To My Future
Me[/URL" target="_blank"> and My Log[/URL" target="_blank">
The Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">

http://This message has been edited by mbannon (edited Jun-26-2007).

LeftRightRepeat

1,618 posts since
Aug 16, 2007

11. Jun 26, 2007 8:50 AM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

RUN MORE MILES!

>> do you think I'll be okay running a marathon

Depends a lot on what you mean by "okay". You'll find stories here on CR of people who have run marathons with zero training, with 20 miles per week, and with 120 miles per week. Each of them had a different approach - and a different result.

Many would argue that focus is key. If you're main goal is the marathon, focus on that. If it's on triathlons, focus on those. Those same folks would argue that doing both means you'll do less well at each - which might be just fine.

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->>> John[/URL" target="_blank"> <<<-
Go write something in the Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">!!

jroden

1,683 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

12. Jun 26, 2007 8:57 AM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

You can muddle through on low miles and finish a marathon, look at all the shapes and sizes that do these events and you will see a great proportion do manage to finish, often on sheer willpower. It's not a pretty sight seeing ill-prepared people limping and bleeding their way to the finish, but for some people the idea of finishing a marathon is sort of a terminal goal and the promoters are willing to keep the finish line open for many hours these days.

Preparing to run a race that doesn't involve you going very slow and having what may be a miserable day involves more training and preparation, so you have to balance the two.

juliemboyle

1,028 posts since
Nov 17, 2007

13. Jun 26, 2007 10:06 AM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

I am in the same situation. My HIM is on 8/19 and I am doing my 1st (and probably only) Marathon in Chicago on 10/7. So my coach (thank god I have one for this) is tweaking my schedule to include both the HIM and the Marathon training in July.

Good news is that I will be able to focus on Marathon as soon as HIM is over, but I will still keep some swim/bike as my body CANNOT just run....my knees get mad at me if I do that!

I'll let you know how it goes.....LOL...my goal is to finish with a smile on my face.

doug1430

38 posts since
Sep 8, 2003

14. Jun 26, 2007 1:18 PM

in response to: brynn024

Re: Marathon/Multi Sport Training

I have done this in the past on 3 days a week and had a long day. It was a trail marathon though. I think with less days per/wk running you need to up the miles per day so have some mid-long runs to go with your long run. This year I'm planning on doing a 50k in October and then try to get a little redemption in December on that trail marathon. The timing though does give me a little time to focus more on the run after my Sept. HIM. I'm am also trying a little different approach this year in terms of frequency vs. all longer runs.

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Jun 25, 2007 7:25 PM

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