Marathon training starts this week. I will be using the training plan from the book Marathon Method by Tom Holland. I used the advanced half-marathon training plan for the Colfax Half and was very pleased with it. I really like how he incorporates some strength training into his plans. I enjoy doing other types of exercise, besides running, so I like the fact that I don't have to wonder how i'm going to squeeze it into a running plan. The plan includes 4 days a week of running. I've gone back and forth on whether or not I should do the beginner or intermediate marathon plan. I think i've settled on the intermediate plan. The beginner plan only goes up to 30 miles/week as the highest milage, which is what I did for my half-marathon. I feel like for a marathon I should get up a little higher. The intermediate plan may be a little bit of a stretch for me, but I figure I can just listen to my body and if I need to take a few easy days I will still at least be getting in the milage prescribed for the beginner plan.
As for goals...
I'm hesitant to really set a goal time as I have never run a marathon and really have no idea what I should be shooting for. Based on my 1/2 marathon time it seems like most predictions should put me around 4 hours and 10 minutes. Personally, I would be happy running 10 min miles, so that would put me around 4 hours and 22 minutes.
As for training my only goal is to complete as many of the training runs as possible, without injury, and to get all of my long runs in.
I'm definitely nervous about a few things. First, I have never run longer than 13.1 miles, so even some of the training runs seem a bit daunting to me. Second, I'd really like to continue to go to some of these running club runs, but the runs are tough and i'm not sure i'll be able to do it once I get into the longer distances. Last, I'm nervous that life or injury will get in the way of me completing the training.... but I guess that's something all marathoners just have to learn to deal with and I'll take it as it comes.
Weekly Recap:
I was definitely sore this week. Tuesday's track workout, followed by a running club run on wednesday left me very sore. Additionally, now that I walk or bike to and from work I think i'm putting more overall miles on my legs. I tried to take it a little easy this weekend to get ready to start training next week. I still didn't manage to get strength training in this week.
Sunday - 6 miles. Humid, but not too hot. Got to try out my new shoes.
Saturday - a very hot and humid 3 miles
Friday - off
Thursday - off
Wednesday - 4.58 miles with running club. I didn't think I was sore from tuesday's track workout until about 2.5 miles in...then it sunk in.
Tuesday - Track workout. 1000, 600 X 3 (200 rest between the 1000 and the 600, 400 rest between sets). 4.26 miles total with warmup and cooldown.
Monday - off
Total Weekly Milage: 17.84 miles.
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