I need marathon training advice!

[mrshandy]

So I'm approaching my Half this weekend and starting to think beyond.

My plan is to run probably Marine Corps Marathon (if I get in) this fall definitely some marathon. I would really like a big PR if I have any chance of trying for a BQ in the Spring.

Right now I'm running 25-26 miles a week with a little speedwork/tempo runs mixed in 5 days. Cross training is limited to some light strength training post run. I would like to change this, but funds are limited, I don't own a bike or have access to a gym (unfortunately there really aren't too many convenient to us, which sucks).

I'm thinking I would like to increase my base mileage in anticipation of marathon training (good idea? bad idea? what mileage?). Also, integrate some more rigorous cross training.

Is cross training essential to becoming a better runner? If so, what has helped you?

I know I'm all over the place. I just have lots of thoughts on this and would appreciate some guidance from those that have improved their marathon time.  

[katyintx]

Mar 11, 2014 9:06:39 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

So I'm approaching my Half this weekend and starting to think beyond.

My plan is to run probably Marine Corps Marathon (if I get in) this fall definitely some marathon. I would really like a big PR if I have any chance of trying for a BQ in the Spring.

Right now I'm running 25-26 miles a week with a little speedwork/tempo runs mixed in 5 days. Cross training is limited to some light strength training post run. I would like to change this, but funds are limited, I don't own a bike or have access to a gym (unfortunately there really aren't too many convenient to us, which sucks).

I'm thinking I would like to increase my base mileage in anticipation of marathon training (good idea? bad idea? what mileage?). Also, integrate some more rigorous cross training.

Is cross training essential to becoming a better runner? If so, what has helped you?

I know I'm all over the place. I just have lots of thoughts on this and would appreciate some guidance from those that have improved their marathon time.  

My marathon was a disaster, but my half time has gotten better so hopefully I'm still somewhat helpful!

In my opinion (bolded), yes.  It helps strengthen some of the muscles you don't use while running, which will help you to avoid injury and become an overall more balanced runner.  For example, biking will help strengthen your quads, which can affect your stride and potentially be a cause of some knee pain.  Obviously if you can improve your stride you'd be running more efficiently.

That leads me to the next question...  I know you said biking isn't really much of an option for you, but that's what I've found to be most helpful.  Otherwise, is swimming an option?  Maybe an elliptical?  If you can't do any of those, you could stick to a weight program geared toward running.  Or even yoga geared toward runners?

[mrshandy]

Mar 11, 2014 10:08:53 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Mar 11, 2014 9:06:39 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

So I'm approaching my Half this weekend and starting to think beyond.

My plan is to run probably Marine Corps Marathon (if I get in) this fall definitely some marathon. I would really like a big PR if I have any chance of trying for a BQ in the Spring.

Right now I'm running 25-26 miles a week with a little speedwork/tempo runs mixed in 5 days. Cross training is limited to some light strength training post run. I would like to change this, but funds are limited, I don't own a bike or have access to a gym (unfortunately there really aren't too many convenient to us, which sucks).

I'm thinking I would like to increase my base mileage in anticipation of marathon training (good idea? bad idea? what mileage?). Also, integrate some more rigorous cross training.

Is cross training essential to becoming a better runner? If so, what has helped you?

I know I'm all over the place. I just have lots of thoughts on this and would appreciate some guidance from those that have improved their marathon time.  

My marathon was a disaster, but my half time has gotten better so hopefully I'm still somewhat helpful!

In my opinion (bolded), yes.  It helps strengthen some of the muscles you don't use while running, which will help you to avoid injury and become an overall more balanced runner.  For example, biking will help strengthen your quads, which can affect your stride and potentially be a cause of some knee pain.  Obviously if you can improve your stride you'd be running more efficiently.

That leads me to the next question...  I know you said biking isn't really much of an option for you, but that's what I've found to be most helpful.  Otherwise, is swimming an option?  Maybe an elliptical?  If you can't do any of those, you could stick to a weight program geared toward running.  Or even yoga geared toward runners?

I don't have a bike or access to the gym. I've been giving some thought to buying a bike, but I know it's expensive and we have other priorities at the moment to improve our house. My birthday is in June and I was thinking of using birthday money to buy a bike and other gear or at least soften the blow.

The nearest pool is a few miles away at the rec center and I might look into that. However, I've never swim for fitness before. I feel like my form would be all off. I was thinking a class might be a good thing to do before I start swimming for fitness, but I'm not sure I have the time/money for that. I know excuses, excuses.

I guess I'm trying to figure out logistically what would be the best cross training to fit into my life.

Thanks for your insight. I appreciate it. Yoga for runners is a good idea and a class may be the best option with the least financial impact.

[ebeth]

so this is me. sort of. I'm still kind of in the air about MCM and I'm def not training to BQ.

My plan is to get the base up into the 35-40 range this spring so that when marathon training I can peak at 55-60 mpw. even if I don't end up doing a fall full I'll def do a half or two so this will put me in a great position to PR in either in the fall.

the only cross training I have found beneficial to my running is lifting weights/stregth training and yoga for recovery. is there a yoga studio near your office/home that you could use? I don't like videos for yoga, but I have a cd called yoga sanctuary that I use at home sometimes. (not on the CD anymore but you get the idea)

look into the hal higdon spring training programs. if following a schedule is your thing it might be helpful. I've used these in the past.

[katyintx]

You could YouTube yoga for runners for free! Then you wouldn't have to have a financial impact at all. I actually just searched it and found a Runner's World video as well. I'm guessing you could probably YT some pool exercises geared toward runners as well.

[psyri]

When I ran my BQ, I was running 5x a week (averaged 35 miles per week during my 18-week training cycle), strength trained one longish session (upper body and squats with weights) and 2 shorter ones (core/lunges, pushups/planks), and 1 yoga class per week.

Ditto ebeth on strength training and yoga helping a lot. Contrary to what you might think, you need to do strength training on your legs. Running weakens your leg muscles, not strengthens them. You also need a strong core, because this will help to maintain form, especially when you get tired. Yoga restores some of the flexibility that running takes away. I like Christine Feldstead's yoga for runners DVDs. I have the intermediate one. It took several times before I could hold some of the poses.