What's your plan?

[Ariel484]

Just wondering what kinds of training plans you all are using...or if you're not using one at all.

I started out using the FIRST training plan (3 days a week of running - speedwork, tempo run, long run) but it was too intense for me and I found myself getting burned out.

So I switched to SmartCoach from RunnersWorld.com, which is okay but doesn't have a taper...this makes me a tad uncomfortable.

Now I think I am set on using Jeff Galloway's half plan for the Princess Half, but that could change in a week or two :lol:.

 

[DisneyRunner]

The first half-marathon I ran, I used a plan by Jeff Galloway. It is very similar to the plans available at runDisney. Two days of 30-45 minute runs and a long run. It was very simple, which was a benefit. The last race I did, I used a more complex plan. If I do another race, I was thinking of creating my own plan, from the knowledge I've gained. Simpler seems better for me.

 

[Ariel484]

The first half-marathon I ran, I used a plan by Jeff Galloway. It is very similar to the plans available at runDisney. Two days of 30-45 minute runs and a long run. It was very simple, which was a benefit. The last race I did, I used a more complex plan. If I do another race, I was thinking of creating my own plan, from the knowledge I've gained. Simpler seems better for me.

I agree, the simplicity of the plan is nice. I think it'll help me to enjoy the runs more.

 

[MCC1]

I suggest & use the programs from 'Road Racing for Serious Runners' by Peter Pfitzinger & Scott Douglas
http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/road-racing-for-serious-runners

There are plans for all race distances, and not nailed down by day, and points out the priority workouts when life gets in the way and you can't do every workout.

While the title may say 'serious', they have plans at lower weekly mileage levels.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I have enjoyed the Jeff Galloway plan for this past race. It is a bit of comparing apples to oranges since my other schedules were in the winter months, but, I like it enough that I am going to continue his schedule for my first attempt at a Full in February. Training starts 1 week after the W&D.

No rest for the crazies.

 

[Phonedave]

I have used the plan in the Beginners Guide to Marathons.

It is 4 day per week runs. Two short, one slightly longer, and then on long run. For example 4, 6, 4, 14

It increase total mileage by 2 or 3 miles per week. It might add on to the shorter runs, or a mile or two onto the longer runs.

Their longest run is 18 miles. According to them, if you can run that you can run a marathon. Since I have an extra week or two in there before the full in January, I may push out a week out to 20 before the two week taper. Something about 20 being a psychological difference for me. 18 still seems "non-marathon" for some reason. Long - but non-marathon.

-dave

 

[Erin_Akey]

None of the traditional plans seem to work for me due to how different my physical makeup is as well as my nutritional needs etc., due to being a bariatric patient.

Therefore, I am trying to sort of tweek my own plan and figure out what works best for me. I am trying to put as much of it as I can into my blog that will hopefully help other bariatric patients who want to become runners or athletes of any kind.

Luckily my surgeon, and now nutritionist are helping me out. Main part of plan is to work up to 13 miles and then taper for the week before the half in January.

Lots of trial and error!

 

[joel_maxwell]

I have used the plan in the Beginners Guide to Marathons.

It is 4 day per week runs. Two short, one slightly longer, and then on long run. For example 4, 6, 4, 14

It increase total mileage by 2 or 3 miles per week. It might add on to the shorter runs, or a mile or two onto the longer runs.

Their longest run is 18 miles. According to them, if you can run that you can run a marathon. Since I have an extra week or two in there before the full in January, I may push out a week out to 20 before the two week taper. Something about 20 being a psychological difference for me. 18 still seems "non-marathon" for some reason. Long - but non-marathon.

-dave

I might have to check out that schedule. Jeff's has you do 2 days of 45 minute runs, one tempo or cross training day and then a long run every other weekend if memory serves. On the odd weekends, he likes for you to have a shorter run for recovery. The only thing is, his long runs for a marathon go all the way up to 29 miles. I love a challenge, and I like experiencing more than what Im going to be expected to do on race day, but that is intimidating.

I agree, 18 miles seems a little meh. I did 14 last weekend and could have run another 4 easily. I dont however think i could have run another 12.2. So, I would go to 20 like you want too.

 

[Babylon Control]

I'm doing my own thing. I do long runs on Sundays, then I try to run one other day a week plus I cross train with swimming and yoga for 2 other days of the week. That is if life doesn't get in the way. I'm a migraine sufferer so that can knock me out if one hits.

 

[Phonedave]

I might have to check out that schedule. Jeff's has you do 2 days of 45 minute runs, one tempo or cross training day and then a long run every other weekend if memory serves. On the odd weekends, he likes for you to have a shorter run for recovery. The only thing is, his long runs for a marathon go all the way up to 29 miles. I love a challenge, and I like experiencing more than what Im going to be expected to do on race day, but that is intimidating.

I agree, 18 miles seems a little meh. I did 14 last weekend and could have run another 4 easily. I dont however think i could have run another 12.2. So, I would go to 20 like you want too.

Just looking at his (their) plan, it goes like this

4, 6, 4, 14
4, 7, 4, 16
5, 8, 5, 16
5, 8, 5, 18
5, 8, 5, 18 (yes, two of the same)
5, 8, 5, 9
3, 5, 3, 8
3, 3, walk3, 26.2


They talk about speed work and tempo runs, but their main focus is logging the miles. The program is more about finishing than pushing for a PB.

I know, I have sort of screwed the program up, because last week I ran 6, 4, 6, 13 so my shorts were longer and my long was shorter.

I figure I will pick up with the 4, 6, 4, 14 the week after the W&D half. That would leave me finishing up roughly 3 weeks before the full in Jan. But Thanksgiving & Christmas is in there, and I will be in the hot hot hot hot hot Grand Caymans the week after Thanksgiving (they run a Marathon there in January I think, last year the field was something like 27 people) so I don't think I will be slogging out long miles there.


-dave

 

[joel_maxwell]

Just looking at his (their) plan, it goes like this

4, 6, 4, 14
4, 7, 4, 16
5, 8, 5, 16
5, 8, 5, 18
5, 8, 5, 18 (yes, two of the same)
5, 8, 5, 9
3, 5, 3, 8
3, 3, walk3, 26.2


They talk about speed work and tempo runs, but their main focus is logging the miles. The program is more about finishing than pushing for a PB.

I know, I have sort of screwed the program up, because last week I ran 6, 4, 6, 13 so my shorts were longer and my long was shorter.

I figure I will pick up with the 4, 6, 4, 14 the week after the W&D half. That would leave me finishing up roughly 3 weeks before the full in Jan. But Thanksgiving & Christmas is in there, and I will be in the hot hot hot hot hot Grand Caymans the week after Thanksgiving (they run a Marathon there in January I think, last year the field was something like 27 people) so I don't think I will be slogging out long miles there.


-dave

Yep. Looks like Jeff's focus on moderate week runs and longer weekend runs. I ran the schedule 2 times from marathonrookie.com (half schedule) and it was similar to the above, but obviously for a half. I was WORN out both times by my last long weekend, that the second time I had tried that schedule, I couldnt even finish 8 miles the week prior to the race due to fatigue. It was crazy. I knew I couldnt attempt that in mid summer, so, Jeff's came into my life.

All in all, I think they both have the pros and cons. It is all in what you want to get out of it. I think the 2 week day runs of 45 minutes will work better with my job. I can mentally get on board with having to get up at 5am 3 days a week and running 5.5 miles a piece and that last day do 2 miles since it would be dark by the time I get home.

What ever works right?

 

[Fievel]

I've been using Hal Higdon's half marathon plan for novices. It sets pre-determined distances to run 3 times a week, along with a day or two of some kind of cross or strength training.

The long run increases by a mile each week, and my only goal is to keep it under Disney's target time of 16 minute mile, which i accomplish easily. It allows me to get in the distance but still tells me, "Hey, you can walk a minute if you need to."

 

[Phonedave]

I've been using Hal Higdon's half marathon plan for novices. It sets pre-determined distances to run 3 times a week, along with a day or two of some kind of cross or strength training.

The long run increases by a mile each week, and my only goal is to keep it under Disney's target time of 16 minute mile, which i accomplish easily. It allows me to get in the distance but still tells me, "Hey, you can walk a minute if you need to."

That's funny, because I do that as well.

As I run, I look at my splits and say to myself things like "sweepers are now 17 minutes behind me"

-dave

 

[Fievel]

That's funny, because I do that as well.

As I run, I look at my splits and say to myself things like "sweepers are now 17 minutes behind me"

-dave

Yup...I have the "virtual training partner" on my garmin set to a 16 minute pace...by the end of the run I always checked how far ahead I finished.

 

[Donald Duck]

Yup...I have the "virtual training partner" on my garmin set to a 16 minute pace...by the end of the run I always checked how far ahead I finished.

I've never used the virtual partner on my 305, but I do have my pace alert set to 9:30 min pace.

And for training plans: they never seem to work for me. I don't like schedules and it's prob just my stuborness. I might avoid injury alot more if I stuck to a training plan, but I find it more gratifying knowing I've run as hard as I could and adding up 50, 60, sometimes 70 miles in six days. My body feels good about it (usually ) and my mind certainly does back flips.

 

[dreamfinder]

Ehh.... My plan is wholly unscientific, but seems to work for me. It accounts for a limited workout schedule, and tries to fit in all my goals. 2 5k runs at or above 5k race pace. Helps to keep improving my 5k race pace. A day of cross training, and weights. A medium distance run, and a long distance run. The distances of those depend on what I am training for. For the Goofy last January, it was pretty much training like it would be run. Sat was for the half, and Sunday for the full. Worked up to about 12 miles on Saturday, and about 20 on Sunday. The medium distance run was at a faster pace. I would alternate adding a half mile to each run each week. Right now, since I have been training for the Wine & Dine, the medium run has been focused much more on speed, trying to get more distance at a Boston pace, while the long run has been more about just getting the miles back up at the pace I know I can do. Is this the most scientific or best it should be? Probably not. But it tends to follow the general pattern of most established plans, and fits what I want to do in the time I have to do it.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I've never used the virtual partner on my 305, but I do have my pace alert set to 9:30 min pace.

And for training plans: they never seem to work for me. I don't like schedules and it's prob just my stuborness. I might avoid injury alot more if I stuck to a training plan, but I find it more gratifying knowing I've run as hard as I could and adding up 50, 60, sometimes 70 miles in six days. My body feels good about it (usually ) and my mind certainly does back flips.

Nick, most training plans dont catalog the miles you put in during the week. LOL I think you are an exception to the rule and you do fine without one.

Ehh.... My plan is wholly unscientific, but seems to work for me. It accounts for a limited workout schedule, and tries to fit in all my goals. 2 5k runs at or above 5k race pace. Helps to keep improving my 5k race pace. A day of cross training, and weights. A medium distance run, and a long distance run. The distances of those depend on what I am training for. For the Goofy last January, it was pretty much training like it would be run. Sat was for the half, and Sunday for the full. Worked up to about 12 miles on Saturday, and about 20 on Sunday. The medium distance run was at a faster pace. I would alternate adding a half mile to each run each week. Right now, since I have been training for the Wine & Dine, the medium run has been focused much more on speed, trying to get more distance at a Boston pace, while the long run has been more about just getting the miles back up at the pace I know I can do. Is this the most scientific or best it should be? Probably not. But it tends to follow the general pattern of most established plans, and fits what I want to do in the time I have to do it.

I do the same thing.

1st medium run of the week: slow and recovery from long run
2nd medium run of the week: work on speed and getting a quick mile time, bursts up hills
3 short run of the week: good pace, just enjoy running
4th run of the week: Long run. Try and combine all the above into a run. Enjoy it, have a good pace, try elevate pace up hills have a strong finish were the last mile is as fast as your 3rd or 4th mile of anything over 8 or 9 miles.

Not scientific, but it works for me and makes sense to me. That is all that matters.

 

[JillC LI]

Just looking at his (their) plan, it goes like this

4, 6, 4, 14
4, 7, 4, 16
5, 8, 5, 16
5, 8, 5, 18
5, 8, 5, 18 (yes, two of the same)
5, 8, 5, 9
3, 5, 3, 8
3, 3, walk3, 26.2


They talk about speed work and tempo runs, but their main focus is logging the miles. The program is more about finishing than pushing for a PB.

This is very similar to the training plan I followed for my first full except that my plan had me doing two weeks at 18 and one more week at 20. I have to say that I'm really glad that I did the 20 because psychologically it was easier to tell myself I could go 6.2 miles further than I've ever gone before than it would have been to say 8.2 miles more. That 20 mile training run turned out to be nearly as memorable as the marathon itself because it was right after a week of non-stop storms and rain; the water levels had risen in the creeks that flowed along my usual path, and there were a number of ankle deep puddles that I had to run through as well as fallen tree limbs I had to jump over or climb under! But I did it and afterwards I felt like I was prepared for anything!

 

[mraphael]

I have used Jeff Galloways plans for all my half marathons....The plan was SIMPLE and effective for me.

I have changed my intervals over time and have done anything from a 4:1, a 3:1 and right now, a 1:1. (run:walk). I am at the current pace after an email conversation with Jeff himself and now that I am gaining mileage in my Marathon training. I ran 8 miles this morning (short run) and I feel awesome. No pain, I'm not tired and I could run 10 more if I had to.

Whatever plan you do, I HIGHLY reccomend walk breaks. So helpful and it's a good thing to rest those muscles for a bit....

Happy Running everyone!