*sneaking back in* with marathon questions :)

[noisemaker2]

Hi all--I've been on a posting hiatus for a while, though I still pop in occasionally to see all of the awesome that you ladies are up to.  Always inspiring!

I've signed up to do my second marathon (same race as last year, Austin in Feb.), and as I'm about to start my official training, I have a couple of questions.  For those that have done multiple marathons, did you use the same training plan the second time around or step it up?  Did you base your training paces on previous training, or just go by how you were feeling? 

I realized this morning that I'm starting to compare my stats this year with last year--like I ran 55 miles in Sept. last year at x pace.  This year I'm approaching 65 at y pace.  Is it silly to be making this type of comparison?  Any other advice as I start ramping it up for my second marathon?? 

Thanks!  Look forward to hopefully being more active here again in the coming months. 

[chitownbelle]

I stepped up my plan every time. I base my paces off of my *goal* marathon pace, so I could train my body to withstand that type of endurance at that pace. You can always run how you feel, sign up for a half marathon and see how you do, and base your goal MP off of that.

[shorewife]

I think it depends on your goals and how you felt about your last race. Did you feel prepared? Did you end up with injuries?

Based on what you've already written, it seems like you would like to train harder to finish faster. If this is the case, then I'd say more miles and faster pace runs like you are planning should work for you just fine!

[jamalynn]

If your base running before you start training is greater and faster than last year's, I would step up the training.

[noisemaker2]

Thanks ladies. I have a 10 mile race set for the end of October, so I'm hoping that will help me set my paces. And I'm still toying with adding another run day to my training. Last year's plan (HH Novice 2) had four running days/week which was totally sustainable for me. The next level up (HH intermediate) has 5 days/week. Not sure if I should make that jump, or just try to up my paces on the Novice 2 plan...decisions decisions.

Thanks again for the input!

[texassmith]

Sept 26, 2013 13:19:35 GMT -5 noisemaker2 said:

Thanks ladies. I have a 10 mile race set for the end of October, so I'm hoping that will help me set my paces. And I'm still toying with adding another run day to my training. Last year's plan (HH Novice 2) had four running days/week which was totally sustainable for me. The next level up (HH intermediate) has 5 days/week. Not sure if I should make that jump, or just try to up my paces on the Novice 2 plan...decisions decisions.

Thanks again for the input!

I'm only training for my first full now, but FWIW I'm using Novice 2 but adding speedwork on one of the rest days and probably doing some of my long runs and/or pace runs on tired legs.