Marathon Training???

Question

As I am finishing up my first year of collegiate track I am looking for what I think is a greater challenge that any track race. The Marathon. I am a solid runner and have been for 7 years now and have actually placed in a Half-Marathon before (1 hr 26min 36sec). I know of at least one marathon neaby my hometown and plan on running it at the end of the summer and am going to try to run it as far under 3 hours as I can. I was wondering if any other runners who have ran a marathon or any coaches out there would have any suggestions for me as I train this summer. Suggestions about race strategy, hydration, and training tips are most appreciated. Thanks.

I should also note that the time I did the Half Marathonin was when I was a junior in high school and I am now ending my freshman year of college.

Answer 1

That's a great goal and you'll need to write down your plan and start now for a Fall marathon. It sounds like you have the speed, so your main focus should be the increase of your long run. See the schedule below, but tailor it to your goal pace (MGP). Let's say for example that you want to break 3 hours..that's a 6:53 pace. You'll need to run your long runs at a 7:30-7:50 pace, and do multiple 1-mile intervals at a sub 6:30 pace. It's definitely doable, but you'll want to put the training time in. Best of luck!

- Mike

Answer 2

I would recommend reading the articles on Pete Pfitzinger's web site. He is also the author of Advanced Marathoning. You should be able to get a lot of information off of his web site. I also own his book called Advanced Marathoning that I use to help plan my schedule.

I would say right now you are very close to 3 hrs based on your half marathon time. I've run a half in 1:26:48 and my fastest marathon so far is 3:01:58 on the Flying Pig course. If it is a decent course, I find marathon's close to home are always the best to run since it is less stressful.

Everyone is different, but I ran a 3:01 on only 38 miles average per week. Right now, I am training at 55 miles average which is the lowest plan in Pfitzinger's book, but I'm 38 years old. I'm hoping that I will finally be able to break 3 hours at some point.

Answer 3

I will anticipate you do your long term on a weekend day (so much folks do it anything day the race will probably be on), definitely Sunday. The day after will have to be a rather useful recuperation run. Probably approximately 30-forty mins on the identical speed you probably did the long term. The speed can not harm, however your muscle tissues could also be sore. This will have to permit you to get well and do a exercise run on Tuesday. The day earlier than is dependent a little bit bit extra to your time table. Most schedules have tough days on Tuesday and Thursday (and the long term on Sunday). This manner friday is a recuperation day. So saturday's run does not ought to be a recuperation, however cannot be too tough. I might propose an handy select up run, in which you begin slowly, however slowly select up the speed and cross form of tough for the final couple miles. Not tough ample that you simply harm, however fast. Then do a little strides. This will have to depart your legs recent ample for the long term. Good success.

Answer 4

Chances are you ain't gonna run the fall marathon at half-marathon pace, so I wouldn't hang my shoes on that hanger. You need to put in the training and be more realistic on your time.

See, you gotta have lots of mileage to be able to complete 26 miles. That don't leave you any time for speed work. So I suggest you just experience the first marathon then decide how fast to do the next one.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Check out this site

http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon.html