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13 Replies Last post: Jun 14, 2007 3:46 PM by dpar

BucNIowa

23 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

May 29, 2007 9:54 PM

"4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

Has anyone used the training plan outlined in this book? I am looking for pros and cons.

jansd

418 posts since
Jun 8, 2003

1. May 30, 2007 5:53 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

It's pretty ambitious for an inexperienced runner. I know someone who used it... until he got bad knee problems after his first 18 miler... not only did he not do the marathon, but he has never run again. But if you're a strong runner with a good base, I think it's an OK program.

fitgrrl

1 posts since
Jun 8, 2007

2. Jun 8, 2007 2:46 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

Well, I don't know anyone personally who has used it but I do know that it's based on a class by the same name and the percentage of students who finish their marathon in under 4 hours is pretty high.

bigapplepie

2,636 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

3. Jun 8, 2007 3:03 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

I've got an idea to blow that right out of the water. Listen to this: 3 Months to a 3 Hour Marathon.

arc918

422 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Jun 8, 2007 3:35 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bigapplepie:
I've got an idea to blow that right out of the water. Listen to this: 3 Months to a 3 Hour Marathon.<HR>

even better for an OTQ - 2.22 months to a sub 2:22...

willamona

384 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Jun 8, 2007 6:23 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by arc918:
even better for an OTQ - 2.22 months to a sub 2:22...<HR>

Nah.. I need 2.47 month for a sub 2:47....step into my office....cause your fired....

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devinicus

7 posts since
Mar 14, 2007

6. Jun 9, 2007 5:05 AM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

I actually read this book when I was training for my first one, and decided not to use it (ironically) for a reason give in the book - it's too sad to cross the finish line of your first 26.2 mile race and be disappointed that you couldn't do it in under 4 hours. This is an extremely ambitious time! My advice (a non-expert who is training for marathon #3) is to read the book, but use one of Hal Higdon's training programs - you can get them on his website - halhigdon.com.

Good luck!

Long Run Nick

265 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

7. Jun 9, 2007 8:56 AM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

The problem with doing your first marathon too fast is --it will be more difficult to beat your time when --and if--you run a second marathon. Enjoy the experience. Be greatful that you can just cover the distance on foot. There are lots of folks that would be greatful to walk to the end of their driveway. Nick

Guest

8. Jun 14, 2007 11:56 AM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

I saw this book in the library, I am an experienced runner. But for a beginner I thought this was an over ambitious plan. Sure Some beginning runners could do it, but there are others whom it would leave injured or unready.

BucNIowa

23 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

9. Jun 14, 2007 12:05 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

Thanks for all the replys. I am looking forward to just running in October in Kansas City.

MarathonDream

122 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Jun 14, 2007 12:06 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

IMO (stressed)

if you are training for your first marathon, you should be working on mileage and forget the time. Keeping a comfortable pace is ok but you should not be running to beat a certain time.

More experienced runners may think a marathon is a race but first timers may want to approach it as a journey. Sure finishing in < 4 hours would be awesome but is it really what is important to you? Most people say they want to run/complete a marathon...that in itself is hard enough. Why make the challenge even harder by stressing a time rather than conditioning? Doesn't make much sense to me.

James

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Training for full on 10/21/07

Jim Sullivan032

516 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

11. Jun 14, 2007 12:10 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by MarathonDream:
Most people say they want to run/complete a marathon...that in itself is hard enough. Why make the challenge even harder by stressing a time rather than conditioning? Doesn't make much sense to me. <HR>

It makes perfect sense to me. Why not do the best you can?

Ray Andrews

231 posts since
Dec 6, 2007

12. Dec 22, 2007 10:37 AM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

Go out and run 25-26 miles over 3 days averaging a 9:00/mi pace; add another 25-26 miles over 2 days averaging a 10:00/mi (or slower) pace.

If you can do that and not get injured, keep it up for 4 months and you'll probably pull off a 4 hour marathon.

Drink plenty of fluid with electrolytes.

http://This message has been edited by Ray Andrews (edited Jun-14-2007).

dpar

85 posts since
Dec 11, 2005

13. Jun 14, 2007 3:46 PM

in response to: BucNIowa

Re: "4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

quote:<HR>Originally posted by BucNIowa:
Thanks for all the replys. I am looking forward to just running in October in Kansas City.<HR>

Buc,

I think i've decided on the KC in Oct too.

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May 29, 2007 9:54 PM

"4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon"

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