active network espn
Active Home | Directory | Community | eteamz | Results | Support Support | Event Directors & Organizers
Community: Exchange advice in the forums and read running commentary Resources: Personal running log, calculators, links and other tools for runners News: Running news from around the world Training: Articles and advice about fitness, race training and injury prevention Races/Results: Find upcoming races and past results Home: The Cool Running homepage
Cool Running homepage  Search Cool Running Community
Login to Reply
Click to view BGirl's profile Amateur
BGirl
15 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Sep 6, 2007 9:44 AM

Unexpected extra week for marathon training

Hey there,

I've just had to switch my Fall marathon plans from one on October 7th to one on the 14th and I'm not sure what to do with the extra week of training I now have. This will be my second marathon and so far I've done 1 20 miler and was planning on a second one not this coming Saturday but the next with a 12 miler in between and then a 3 week taper. I'm following my own mileage plan mid-week and am loosely following Hal Higdon's Intermediate II long run schedule but I missed the first of the three 20 milers because I had a triathlon the day before and was just too pooped to complete the whole thing.

Anyhoo, now that I have the extra week, should I try and squeeze a 20 miler in this weekend as well then continue with 12, 20, 12, 8, race? Are two 20 milers on back-to-back weekends too ambitious?

Oh, in case it matters, I've been running for just over 2 years and I usually run about 45-50 mpw.

Thanks in advance
Click to view dg12002's profile Legend
dg12002
622 posts since
Aug 26, 2003
1. Sep 6, 2007 10:14 AM in response to: BGirl
Wow, great opportunity!

Given your mileage, I would do a WAY SLOWER 20 than the previous weekend, jog. You must place a premium on health by avoiding at all costs overtraining and injury by overuse. A slower long run will do more for the fat burning which will boost your endurance.

A safer alternative would be to do a 12, 20,12, 8, race.
Login to Reply
Click to view BGirl's profile Amateur
BGirl
15 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Sep 6, 2007 10:55 AM in response to: BGirl
quote:<HR>Originally posted by dg12:
Wow, great opportunity!

Given your mileage, I would do a WAY SLOWER 20 than the previous weekend, jog. You must place a premium on health by avoiding at all costs overtraining and injury by overuse. A slower long run will do more for the fat burning which will boost your endurance.

A safer alternative would be to do a 12, 20,12, 8, race.<HR>


Thanks so much for your advice. I might try out a slower run this weekend and not worry if I cut it short somewhere between 12 and 20. Maybe something like 15-18 would be of some benefit? So 20 (already done last weekend), 15-18 (this coming weekend), 12, 20, 12, 8, race?

Thanks again.
Login to Reply
Click to view tss1201's profile Pro
tss1201
79 posts since
Aug 26, 2007
3. Sep 6, 2007 6:57 PM in response to: BGirl
I used Higdon's Intermediate II as my starting point also, but I've modified it so much it doesn't really look much like the original plan. I've done 20-milers on back-to-back weekends. It works fine for me. If you do this, be sure to take it easy the week after, though. Good luck!
Login to Reply
Click to view scooler's profile Rookie
scooler
7 posts since
Aug 5, 2005
4. Dec 26, 2007 6:01 AM in response to: BGirl
Wow, same thing happened to me, except it wasn't because I switched races. I forgot one week in my training plan.

My assumption for the following bit of advice is that you want to finish in the fastest time possible. If you're just trying to finish the distance, you're already there. Bank on the 20 you already did.

I think your "20, 12, 20, 12, 8, race" plan is a good one. You might want to consider the first 12 miler a race simulation. For the last 6-8 miles, run at your planned marathon pace. Keep the intensity up the following week and finish up with a steady (but cautious) 20-miler. Finish the following week's 12-miler fast as well and then taper to let all that training benefit sink in. ;-)

But, like the others, it's better to be undertrained and healthy than getting injured by cramming in mileage and speed before race day.

My advice would be to make the second 20-miler a multi-loop run. Find a 5 mile loop and do it 4 times. You can always stop at 10 or 15 if you feel any tightness or soreness that you don't want to develop into a full-blown injury.

By the way, MY original plan was 20, 17, 13, race. Now it's 20, 17, 20, 13, race. I'm planning a two week taper. The first 20 is my first for this training period, so it'll be at an easy pace. The second will be 20 only if I'm feeling up for it. I may just start my taper a day early.

Good luck BGirl.

Jim from Seattle

http://This message has been edited by scooler (edited Sep-06-2007).

http://This message has been edited by scooler (edited Sep-06-2007).
Login to Reply
Click to view BGirl's profile Amateur
BGirl
15 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Dec 26, 2007 6:01 AM in response to: BGirl
quote:<HR>Originally posted by scooler:
Wow, same thing happened to me, except it wasn't because I switched races. I forgot one week in my training plan.

My assumption for the following bit of advice is that you want to finish in the fastest time possible. If you're just trying to finish the distance, you're already there. Bank on the 20 you already did.

I think your "20, 12, 20, 12, 8, race" plan is a good one. You might want to consider the first 12 miler a race simulation. For the last 6-8 miles, run at your planned marathon pace. Keep the intensity up the following week and finish up with a steady (but cautious) 20-miler. Finish the following week's 12-miler fast as well and then taper to let all that training benefit sink in. ;-)

But, like the others, it's better to be undertrained and healthy than getting injured by cramming in mileage and speed before race day.

My advice would be to make the second 20-miler a multi-loop run. Find a 5 mile loop and do it 4 times. You can always stop at 10 or 15 if you feel any tightness or soreness that you don't want to develop into a full-blown injury.

By the way, MY original plan was 20, 17, 13, race. Now it's 20, 17, 20, 13, race. I'm planning a two week taper. The first 20 is my first for this training period, so it'll be at an easy pace. The second will be 20 only if I'm feeling up for it. I may just start my taper a day early.

Good luck BGirl.

Jim from Seattle

http://This message has been edited by scooler (edited Sep-06-2007).

http://This message has been edited by scooler (edited Sep-06-2007).<HR>


Thanks so much for your taking the time to offer your advice. Much appreciated!

Cheers.
Login to Reply
Click to view BGirl's profile Amateur
BGirl
15 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
6. Sep 6, 2007 7:57 PM in response to: BGirl
quote:<HR>Originally posted by tss1201:
I used Higdon's Intermediate II as my starting point also, but I've modified it so much it doesn't really look much like the original plan. I've done 20-milers on back-to-back weekends. It works fine for me. If you do this, be sure to take it easy the week after, though. Good luck!<HR>


Good to know the back-to-back thing can be done. I will take your advice with Jim's, I think, and try the second 20 miler but make it a loop in case I run out of steam or feel like it's a bad idea around the 15 mile mark.

Thanks again!
Login to Reply