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16 Replies Last post: Apr 16, 2007 4:57 PM by ken2cart1 1 2 Previous Next

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

Apr 12, 2007 1:39 PM

help with training schedule

Hi guys, I just wanted to start off by saying that this is my first time training for a marathon. I have some running experience because I have played competitive soccer for about 12 years and had to train for that by doing at most 3 mile runs every other day. I have been training for about a month for the Boston Marathon next year and just to give you an idea of where I am at in my training, I currently can run 4 miles in 28 minutes. In order to qualify for the Boston Marathon I need to run a marathon in 3:10. I heard the Toronto Marathon in September was a flat marathon and it would give me the best chance to qualify. I was just wondering if any one has a good schedule I could follow considering the Toronto marathon is about 5 months away? Also, if any one knows any other good marathons to run to qualify for the Boston Marathon?

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

1. Apr 12, 2007 1:43 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

Also if any one has any general advice it would be greatly appreciated.

VictorN

406 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. Apr 12, 2007 9:22 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

If I were you I'd buy myself a good book. I suggest either Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas, or Daniels' Running Formula by Jack Daniels. Both are great books.

If you are running 4 miles in 28 minutes then you are pretty fast or you are running too hard. Make sure you are feeling like you are able to do more at the end of your runs. At this point in your running career, distance is more important than speed work.

Victor

------------------
www.competitiverunner.com[/URL" target="_blank">

Lofcaudio

66 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

3. Apr 12, 2007 9:26 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

quote:<HR>Originally posted by VictorN:
If I were you I'd buy myself a good book. I suggest either Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas, or Daniels' Running Formula by Jack Daniels. Both are great books.<HR>

This is the best advice you will get. Both of these books have revolutionized the way I train for races (especially the marathon). I used the training schedule in Daniels' Running Formula and was amazed at how well prepared I was for my last marathon. I am now going after a Boston-qualifying run this weekend in St. Louis (since I came up 27 seconds short in October).

sortarunner

98 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Apr 12, 2007 11:41 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

I understand that Chicago is a flat BQing marathon.I am going to give a try.

Abadabajev

231 posts since
Oct 4, 1999

5. Apr 13, 2007 4:52 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

ken2cart1,

You have given us nothing to work with. Competitive soccer by running 3 miles every 2 days doesnt tell me anything.

It's very simple.
We need your age,height,bodyweight, weekly schedule, miles per week you've been averaging for the last month, your paces for each training run, # of recovery days or weeks you are planning, what future short races that you'd like to do. Stuff like that.

Now a 3:10 marathon, you'll have to be completely prepared in every way to accomplish this goal.

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

6. Apr 13, 2007 5:45 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

Feel free to check out my running log...and I am 20 years old and 5 foot 10 inches and weigh 160 lbs

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

7. Apr 13, 2007 10:54 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Lofcaudio:
This is the best advice you will get. Both of these books have revolutionized the way I train for races (especially the marathon). I used the training schedule in Daniels' Running Formula and was amazed at how well prepared I was for my last marathon. I am now going after a Boston-qualifying run this weekend in St. Louis (since I came up 27 seconds short in October).<HR>

I jut got Daniels's Running Formula and I was curious about what the peak millage for a week should be if my goal is to run a marathon in 3:10 and what should be the longest run?

twhitman

2 posts since
Oct 8, 2007

8. Apr 14, 2007 6:40 AM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

If you played competitive soccer, your probably a really good athlete. Running a 3:10 marathon should be fairly easy for you if you stick with your training. This spring/summer you need to get your base mileage up to 70-85 miles. The results for me were amazing once I consistently got to 85 miles or more. About 18 weeks out, begin your marathon specific training. I personally like the Pfitz plans. A typical week would consist of a long run (20-22 mi), 1 lactate threshold run (tempo), a mid-week long run (15 mi), and recovery/easy/steady runs in between. I think you should incorporate some marathon pace miles in your long runs. As you get closer to your race, you can sharpen your speed with interval sessions instead of the tempo run. My goal was exactly like yours. I was only running 30 miles a week for fitness when I decided to run a marathon to qualify for Boston. 8 mos later I ran a 2:47 at Myrtle Beach. Your athleticism will really help you. Good luck.

dreamtheater

32 posts since
Mar 31, 2007

9. Apr 14, 2007 10:10 AM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

Yall....

I am considering the Outer Banks Marathon(NC) in November as a BQ attempt. It is a USTF certified marathon. Does that mean it is a Boston qualifier? I can switch to the Richmond Marathon in Virginia(Sun Trust) if I need to...but would much prefer to run Outer Banks.

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

10. Apr 14, 2007 1:23 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

quote:<HR>Originally posted by twhitman:
If you played competitive soccer, your probably a really good athlete. Running a 3:10 marathon should be fairly easy for you if you stick with your training. This spring/summer you need to get your base mileage up to 70-85 miles. The results for me were amazing once I consistently got to 85 miles or more. About 18 weeks out, begin your marathon specific training. I personally like the Pfitz plans. A typical week would consist of a long run (20-22 mi), 1 lactate threshold run (tempo), a mid-week long run (15 mi), and recovery/easy/steady runs in between. I think you should incorporate some marathon pace miles in your long runs. As you get closer to your race, you can sharpen your speed with interval sessions instead of the tempo run. My goal was exactly like yours. I was only running 30 miles a week for fitness when I decided to run a marathon to qualify for Boston. 8 mos later I ran a 2:47 at Myrtle Beach. Your athleticism will really help you. Good luck.<HR>

so 85 miles would be a good peak mileage?
-Thanks for the help

twhitman

2 posts since
Oct 8, 2007

11. Apr 14, 2007 3:25 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

For me, it worked. I was actually around 90. It made a huge difference. Luckily, I recover pretty quickly, so I'm able to run the mileage.

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

12. Apr 16, 2007 12:54 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Lofcaudio:
This is the best advice you will get. Both of these books have revolutionized the way I train for races (especially the marathon). I used the training schedule in Daniels' Running Formula and was amazed at how well prepared I was for my last marathon. I am now going after a Boston-qualifying run this weekend in St. Louis (since I came up 27 seconds short in October).<HR>

Lofcaudio,

did you do program A in Daniels' Running Formula?

ken2cart1

8 posts since
Apr 6, 2007

13. Apr 16, 2007 12:59 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Lofcaudio:
This is the best advice you will get. Both of these books have revolutionized the way I train for races (especially the marathon). I used the training schedule in Daniels' Running Formula and was amazed at how well prepared I was for my last marathon. I am now going after a Boston-qualifying run this weekend in St. Louis (since I came up 27 seconds short in October).<HR>

Lofcaudio,

Did you do Training Plan A in Daniel's Running Formula?

Johnny J013

358 posts since
May 21, 2003

14. Apr 16, 2007 2:45 PM

in response to: ken2cart1

Re: help with training schedule

While I agree that if you can get a mileage base of 85-90 mpw you'll run a fast marathon, I'm not sure I concur that it's ideal to ramp up to that with very little long distance running background.

How many mpw are you averaging now? For how long?

You're young, not overweight, and have an athletic background, so you can push it more than some. I would say it would be smarter to shoot for peak mileage of 60-65 for this your first marathon cycle unless you tell me you've been running 30-40 mpw consistently for several months already. The poster who ran a 2:47 started with a good base of 30 mpw. If you're starting with 10-15 mpw that's a big difference and I think it would be ill-advised to ramp up so quickly. You may get lucky and do fine, but you may end up fighting shin splints, IT band, plantar fasciitis, or achilles tendonitis as your tendons/ligaments won't be able to adapt to the increase stress so quickly.

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Apr 12, 2007 1:39 PM

help with training schedule

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