Dopey training plan

[Texas84]

Thanks to @Ariel484 for posting the Galloway Dopey plan. But I think most us agree the walking will drive us all insane. So I did a simple modified Galloway Marathon plan that adds a short Saturday run right before the long Sunday run. You get Saturdays off on the alternating weekends with the shorter run. I'd like to hear your comments. You won't hurt my feelings. I'd seriously like to come up with a good plan to just finish.

First the disclaimer: I am not a professional trainer, doctor or professional athlete, nor do I play one on television. I'm not even a very good amateur runner. Use at your own risk. No warranty implied. If your run lasts longer than six hours see a doctor.

Plan is in the next post if I can figure out a way to format it.

 

[Texas84]

EDIT: Consensus here is that a Higdon plan would be better so I removed the plan. Read on for some great info.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I have done Jeff Galloways plan before and didnt like it. This will sound arrogant, but it is not intended to be, but I think that I was the least prepared for a half with his schedule then I have been on the others I have run with Hal Higdon. I felt like I was dependent on the run/walk after his schedule than on any other. I had to walk so many times during 13.1 miles and didnt feel like I was in good enough shape to run the entire event. I followed his plan exactly. I think it is great for runners that are looking to go have fun, not worry about walking and stop for pictures.

After that, I switched to Hal Higdon and the rest is history. As of now, I can run for 4+ hours without walking. Different schedule, different training, different results.

With all that said, Im looking at the numbers above and this is what I dont like. I dont like the fact he has you run only 30 minutes Tues and Thursday, with a 30 minute every 3rd weekend on Saturday and then you explode into a 14, 17, 20 and 23 mile run. Most of those here would only get 3-4 miles in those 30 minute runs. That isnt enough. I know you are "cross-training" the other 3 days, but I still think that it is not a good schedule. If this is solely a running event, Id like to see 2 of these cross training days running days, and the 3rd a rest day. Run 4 days a week with a cross train 1 day.

Ill just put it like this, looking at this schedule, I dont feel as though I would be ready for all 4 events, or even the Goofy alone. That is just me though.

 

[bethram]

I tried Galloway's plan for my first half two years ago and gave up on it about halfway through. I did not feel like I was running enough. I added in a third day of running during the week and did not alternate long runs with short runs on the weekends, I just increased my long run mileage each weekend.

 

[Kristia]

I have done Jeff Galloways plan before and didnt like it. This will sound arrogant, but it is not intended to be, but I think that I was the least prepared for a half with his schedule then I have been on the others I have run with Hal Higdon. I felt like I was dependent on the run/walk after his schedule than on any other. I had to walk so many times during 13.1 miles and didnt feel like I was in good enough shape to run the entire event. I followed his plan exactly. I think it is great for runners that are looking to go have fun, not worry about walking and stop for pictures.

After that, I switched to Hal Higdon and the rest is history. As of now, I can run for 4+ hours without walking. Different schedule, different training, different results.

With all that said, Im looking at the numbers above and this is what I dont like. I dont like the fact he has you run only 30 minutes Tues and Thursday, with a 30 minute every 3rd weekend on Saturday and then you explode into a 14, 17, 20 and 23 mile run. Most of those here would only get 3-4 miles in those 30 minute runs. That isnt enough. I know you are "cross-training" the other 3 days, but I still think that it is not a good schedule. If this is solely a running event, Id like to see 2 of these cross training days running days, and the 3rd a rest day. Run 4 days a week with a cross train 1 day.

Ill just put it like this, looking at this schedule, I dont feel as though I would be ready for all 4 events, or even the Goofy alone. That is just me though.

It's funny that you say that. We used Galloway for our Goofy this year. We started following his plan with the run/walks in October when the runs start to get longer. We really started to rely on that walk break and when we got back to training late this winter/early spring, Dan made a comment about how tough it was getting back to long runs without the walk break. For the Philly Marathon, I am going to try one of Higdon's training plans and see how that works for me. I will just walk through the water stops as a break. I am totally uncoordinated with with running and drinking at the same time!

 

[Donald Duck]

Run a full marathon 6 days a week for three months straight. Rinse and repeat.

It works.

 

[Texas84]

Good points all. I think Galloway is for the casual runner (like me) and someone who is starting, not you elites. The run/walk got me through my first half and full but I'm at the point this year where I force myself to take a break on long training runs at the mile mark. So I'm looking more at the mileage build-up, not the run/walk. My personal goal was to get a Goofy in 2015 and never go past 13.1 again. Then they pulled this Dopey on us. I might have to look at Higdon next year but that sounds like a lot of dedication for someone who just wants to finish.

 

[Texas84]

Run a full marathon 6 days a week for three months straight. Rinse and repeat.

It works.

You go away

 

[Donald Duck]

You go away

Shucks...

 

[joel_maxwell]

It's funny that you say that. We used Galloway for our Goofy this year. We started following his plan with the run/walks in October when the runs start to get longer. We really started to rely on that walk break and when we got back to training late this winter/early spring, Dan made a comment about how tough it was getting back to long runs without the walk break. For the Philly Marathon, I am going to try one of Higdon's training plans and see how that works for me. I will just walk through the water stops as a break. I am totally uncoordinated with with running and drinking at the same time!

Please try it. You will be amazed of the difference. I just dont see how a peak week of 5, 10, 5, 20 can compare to Jeff's 30min, 30min, 23.

I will go out on a limb and say, that if you dont miss one training run of hal higdon novice plan (maybe novice 2), you will easily set a PR and blow your last Full time away (assuming the course is similar). It is that much better.

 

[Mr mom]

I have never run a race and don't have any set training plan other then light weights to balance out all my running. That being said having looked at that plan I don't see how that would prepare me for this at all. If I take too many breaks it throws off my natural rhythm and I could never reduce myself to less than one hour of running on any day.

 

[Kristia]

Please try it. You will be amazed of the difference. I just dont see how a peak week of 5, 10, 5, 20 can compare to Jeff's 30min, 30min, 23.

I will go out on a limb and say, that if you dont miss one training run of hal higdon novice plan (maybe novice 2), you will easily set a PR and blow your last Full time away (assuming the course is similar). It is that much better.

Haha! It won't take much to best my PR for full marathon. I've only done 2. My first was just to finish and my second I wasn't feeling so well. I think the main reason we went with Galloway was we liked the light runs during the week. It is almost impossible to get in a 10 mile run on a weekday. We usually did a 4 miler on the the weekdays so for us that was a 40 min run. I was looking at Higdon's intermediate plans. I might pick one of those or @Ariel484 suggested one of his Novice plans which might fit our schedule a little better. Haven't decide yet.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Haha! It won't take much to best my PR for full marathon. I've only done 2. My first was just to finish and my second I wasn't feeling so well. I think the main reason we went with Galloway was we liked the light runs during the week. It is almost impossible to get in a 10 mile run on a weekday. We usually did a 4 miler on the the weekdays so for us that was a 40 min run. I was looking at Higdon's intermediate plans. I might pick one of those or @Ariel484 suggested one of his Novice plans which might fit our schedule a little better. Haven't decide yet.

Ive always run the novice plans. The intermediate plans call for speed work which i know makes you faster and a better runner, I just dont enjoy doing them. Ill do tempo runs instead, and continue to swim etc. So, I just stick to the novice. When I do sprints etc, it seems that it subjects me to more injuries, or at least opens the door for that.

I didnt think I would be able to fit 10 milers in on Wednesdays and 5-10 on Thursdays for those few weeks, especially with kids, but I just learned to run the majority of those miles in the dark... in the morning.

 

[Kristia]

Ive always run the novice plans. The intermediate plans call for speed work which i know makes you faster and a better runner, I just dont enjoy doing them. Ill do tempo runs instead, and continue to swim etc. So, I just stick to the novice. When I do sprints etc, it seems that it subjects me to more injuries, or at least opens the door for that.

I didnt think I would be able to fit 10 milers in on Wednesdays and 5-10 on Thursdays for those few weeks, especially with kids, but I just learned to run the majority of those miles in the dark... in the morning.

I am such a slow runner that mornings just wouldn't work for me. I have to be at work by 7am. We will just have to try for night runs. After work, that is the last thing I want to do but I know it will be worth it in the end.

 

[Mr mom]

I am such a slow runner that mornings just wouldn't work for me. I have to be at work by 7am. We will just have to try for night runs. After work, that is the last thing I want to do but I know it will be worth it in the end.

I'm very lucky, I work evenings so once the kids are at school I can run my heart out

 

[joel_maxwell]

I am such a slow runner that mornings just wouldn't work for me. I have to be at work by 7am. We will just have to try for night runs. After work, that is the last thing I want to do but I know it will be worth it in the end.

I can see that. I would have to get up (with no snoozes) at 5 on the nose and get out the door no later than 5:15-5:20 to comfortably get done, then get home to get ready for work.

I'm very lucky, I work evenings so once the kids are at school I can run my heart out

Now that is awesome. I wouldnt want to work nights, but if I did, that glass would be half full.

 

[Texas84]

Yeah, 10 miles during the week is going to be tough for me with my commute. I'm old and I need at least 6 hours of sleep. Maybe I could go back to the riverside park here and do a bunch of 3 mile laps after work. It is a one-time deal after all. So do you all think a straight Higdon plan would be good for the Dopey?

 

[Texas84]

Shucks...

I was wondering, are you thinking about the Dopey? I'm trying to picture you doing a Disney 5K. That probably isn't even a warm-up.

 

[Donald Duck]

Nope. Did it unofficially this year. Have some destination ultras next year which will fill my race quota for the year. 4-5 100 milers throughout the year. Def going to WDW though...to eat.

 

[JillC LI]

Haha! It won't take much to best my PR for full marathon. I've only done 2. My first was just to finish and my second I wasn't feeling so well. I think the main reason we went with Galloway was we liked the light runs during the week. It is almost impossible to get in a 10 mile run on a weekday. We usually did a 4 miler on the the weekdays so for us that was a 40 min run. I was looking at Higdon's intermediate plans. I might pick one of those or @Ariel484 suggested one of his Novice plans which might fit our schedule a little better. Haven't decide yet.

Kristy - You should take a look at the beginner's training schedule recommended by the NYRR Club for the NYC Marathon. That's what I used for my first (and only) marathon. It is quite doable in terms of fitting it into your schedule, and there are really only 2 heavy weeks, none of which contain mid-week 10 mile runs, I don't think.