Welcome to our Wild Workout Wednesday link up! Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, and Sarah at Creating Better Tomorrow to bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us for a wild workout each week by reading along or grab the button and link up if you have a fitness or healthy living post to share!
I’m not necessarily a training plan girl, but I respect the marathon and know that whatever your abilities and goals may be, the marathon requires a solid plan.
This September 13th I’ll be running the inaugural Suffolk County Marathon right through some of my favorite towns in my area. I never really intended to run a marathon this year, but it’s the first one! This will be my 4th marathon (not including the one at the end of the Ironman, cause I didn’t really train for that one). I know there are plenty of people who have run many more, but I’ve acquired a bit of knowledge through the years. My failures and successes have given me the tools to really know what my body needs and what I’m capable of. This was evident at my last marathon–New York City 2013. I was just two minutes shy of qualifying for Boston–a feat I never thought possible. My goal this go around is to implement those same principles combined with new-found confidence.
The Long Runs
When you hear the phrase Marathon Training what’s the first thing that comes into mind?
If you think long runs, it’s for a good reason. Without the proper long runs, your body cannot possibly be prepared for the 26.2 miles on race day.
The first thing I do is plan my long runs backwards from race day.
I also never strictly train more than 12 weeks out from race day. Anything before this is building a base, which I don’t like to follow a training plan to accomplish. In fact, my actual training is starting next week, which is technically about 8 weeks out (yikes!). But if you’ve been following me, you know that for at least a month I’ve been committed to track workouts and testing my pace at 5k races every weekend. So really that was the period of my marathon training where I built my base and speed–I just didn’t follow a specific plan.
This is my long run schedule:
July 12th- 6 miles
July 19th- 8 miles
July 26th- 10 miles
August 2nd- 13 miles
August 9th- 16 miles
August 16th- 13 miles
August 23rd- 20 miles
August 30th- 13 miles
September 6th- 10 miles
September 13th- 26.2!
I need to reiterate that this is what works for me. Years of over-training led me to the conclusion that the 13, 16 18, 20 build up only burnt me out–hence the 16, taper back to 13, then hit the 20 miler on fresh legs. This mileage and increase may not work for everyone, that’s what makes marathon training so unique. It’s very difficult to do it perfectly the first time, and it takes practice to know what works for your body and athletic ability.
Of course, quality long runs can only happen with quality supplementing runs. In my 3 day a week plan, I have a tempo run and track/speed workout in addition to the long runs.
Stay tuned for my next Marathon Training Plan post where I’ll go into detail about my weekday runs.
I am not a certified running coach. This information is based on personal experience and research. Please use caution when embarking on a training plan.
Do you make your own training plans, or find pre-made ones?
How long do you usually train for a marathon?
Linkup below if you have a workout, fitness find or healthy recipe to share! Just make sure to link back or grab the badge and we will make sure to spread the inspiration around 🙂
Also linked up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!
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I definitely make my own up too…kinda find a plan that makes sense and rework it to fit in my goals and other training. I also never run more than 3 or 4 days a week, otherwise I end up getting injured! You’re going to rock your marathon, I’m sure! You have enough experience to know what works for you to make it happen 🙂
Annmarie recently posted…Wild Workout Wednesday: Dirty 30 Sandbag Workout!
Thanks!! I have not had success with mindlessly following a set training plan–did it for my first and never again! Experience is so important!
The two marathons i ran…#1 i used a plan… #2 I made my own after tailoring one I found online… race #2 faster by 10 mins 🙂 #diy
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow recently posted…Total Body Circuit
Yep! Everyone is different! Hooray for diy training plans!
Looks like you have really thought this through and you are ready to rock that plan. Look forward to hearing about your progress. Thanks for the link up!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Going Down Hill Fast -Haleakala Bike tour
Thanks Deborah! If it’s not broke, don’t fix it! This is what works for me and my lifestyle and goals 🙂
For my first few marathons I used a pre-made training plan. However over time, I figured out what worked best for me and my body, so I started making my own and it has (knock on wood) worked ever since. I usually train for about 16 weeks, but for NYCM I am attempting an 18 week training plan to ensure I take a step back in my milage.
Jamie recently posted…WIAW – Diaya
Good idea! Since my plan is short, I kept the mileage low.
This is so timely – I just posted my first link up with you ladies and it’s about a plan I tailored for our running group after following 3-4 different ones over the years. The shorter runs during the week are more to keep everyone on the same page more than anything. The long runs are where I really did some tweaking based on what worked for us! I love that you created your own marathon plan … I can’t wait to follow your training!
Brandi @ Java and Sole recently posted…Wayback Workout Wednesday: CRG24 Training Plan + Summer Stuff
That’s awesome! Thanks for linking up!!
This looks like a great training plan! We build our plans similarly 🙂 I always back out my long runs from race week. I love running, but have found that 3-4 days a week is all I really need to marathon training (the rest is strength/HIIT/yoga, cycling etc). A speed day, a mid distance run, and the long run is what I MUST have in my plan. Thanks for sharing!!
Amanda recently posted…#WorkoutWednesday
Thanks Amanda! I totally agree!
I just started training for my first half marathon and would like to do a marathon somewhere in the distant future lol. This was useful info. Thanks!
So glad you found it helpful! Best of luck in your running endeavors!
Except for one race I have always created my own plan. I’ve learned so much over the years. When I look back at my first training plan it makes me laugh. Run. Run. And ru some more. haha!
Thanks for sharing the inspiration with Fitness Friday friends! Have a wonderful weekend Michelle. xoxo
Thanks Jill!
Hi,
Helpful blog. When is your next one about planning midweek runs going to be published?
I get how to plan Long Runs. I just don’t get how midweek runs should build through the different phases.
Thanks
Nick