WWYD: Marathon training program

[ebeth]

I'm considering doing a marathon training program with DCRR this summer.  Mostly to make sure I get my ass out of bed and out running prior to 8AM. But also for company on long runs and just generally making some new friends. It is $90. I believe they also provide water and gatorade mid run so that is definitely a plus.

But I've already decided that I"m going all in with the pfitz 18/55, so I don't know if the long runs will be matching up with that program. I'm open to adding or subtracting miles (within reason) and/or skipping the long run periodically and doing my own thing every few weeks if I just can't make it work.  The main feature I enjoyed about the pfitz plans is the double digit mid-week runs.  I really feel like those really helped A LOT the last time around.

I've done DCRR half marathon training programs before, and while I have enjoyed them for many reasons,  the 'coaching' wasn't really one of them.  

So, WWYD?  Spend the monies and have some company?  Go it alone?  Forget about pfitz and follow the coach's plan? Make a hybrid plan?

[hannahb]

Not sure. I'm debating the same thing myself.

[clseale]

I'd pay the $90 for the long run support, and stay open to possibility of making a hybrid of the two plans. At least look at it & see what you think. If in the end, you still want to go all Pfitz, I still don't think the $90 is much for long run support, motivation, and company.

[jordylee]

I would go it alone in this scenario, but I may be jaded. I recently did a half training program that was similar, and it ended up being annoying that I always had to adjust my runs and while the people were nice, I hated the program. Also, they only had one Gatorade station set up so they encouraged people to carry their own anyway, which is annoying. It really left a sour taste in my mouth for group training programs that (NOT clubs... I miss my old one like crazy!)

[Brit]

For $90, I think it would be worth it to me even if I only went a few times. I am not above paying for running buddies assuming that $90 won't break the bank. I wouldn't think twice about spending $90 on a dinner out that will last just a few hours. Even five long runs with the group could be 10 or more hours. Clearly it is a bargain.

[gt7301b]

It sounds like you want the support, so I'd say go for it. You could probably add miles as needed or find someone to run with you on days it is different.

I'd probably email them and explain your situation and see if they can at least give you a heads up on their long run schedule.

[Wines Not Whines]

I think you know I signed up for a similar plan with MCRR this summer. I've never done a group training program before, but I'm mostly in it for company on long runs and not the coaching aspect. If you just want company on long runs, I'd sign up for it. Even if their runs don't match up perfectly with yours, you can always tack on an extra couple of miles at the beginning or end of their runs.

My training group's long runs actually seem to match up fairly well with what I was planning to do. I'm going to tweak the weekdays to match my own schedule. They seem to be doing a modified Pfitz 18/55. They give a range of mileage, but the peak weeks are 50-60 miles.

[cinco]

I like Brit's rational. I do this with races and/or running gear/outfits etc. too. It costs 1.5 dinners out with booze, so a steal for running buddies and exercise. I like to think of Pfitz as being a flexible, understanding coach who knows that we runners have lives to work around I bet there will be other runners adding or dropping miles each week too.

[ebeth]

gt7301b I have emailed the head of training and asked about the long run schedule. we'll see what she says.

Wines Not Whines I didn't know that you had signed up for the MCRR program! it sounds like a good program though. I wish we had something like that closer to DC. my biggest beef with DCRR is that they don't seem to have much going on for the intermediate folks. they have beginner and advanced training programs, but the regular club workouts are a bunch of really fast people so I always end up running by myself. I'm cool with being in the slow group, but I'd like it to be a group.

but I think you all are right that I'm mostly in for the company/accountability. and I'm actually running MCM this year so my week to week schedule actually matches up with the DCRR program. my biggest struggle in the summer is getting my long runs in early to a) beat the heat and b) get on with my day!

[Wines Not Whines]

Jun 11, 2014 14:02:47 GMT -5 ebeth said:

gt7301b I have emailed the head of training and asked about the long run schedule. we'll see what she says.

Wines Not Whines I didn't know that you had signed up for the MCRR program! it sounds like a good program though. I wish we had something like that closer to DC. my biggest beef with DCRR is that they don't seem to have much going on for the intermediate folks. they have beginner and advanced training programs, but the regular club workouts are a bunch of really fast people so I always end up running by myself. I'm cool with being in the slow group, but I'd like it to be a group.

but I think you all are right that I'm mostly in for the company/accountability. and I'm actually running MCM this year so my week to week schedule actually matches up with the DCRR program. my biggest struggle in the summer is getting my long runs in early to a) beat the heat and b) get on with my day!

Do you know how the DCRR marathon training program works? Do they sort you into pace groups so you have people of a similar pace to run with?

[ebeth]

Jun 11, 2014 14:23:59 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Jun 11, 2014 14:02:47 GMT -5 ebeth said:

gt7301b I have emailed the head of training and asked about the long run schedule. we'll see what she says.

Wines Not Whines I didn't know that you had signed up for the MCRR program! it sounds like a good program though. I wish we had something like that closer to DC. my biggest beef with DCRR is that they don't seem to have much going on for the intermediate folks. they have beginner and advanced training programs, but the regular club workouts are a bunch of really fast people so I always end up running by myself. I'm cool with being in the slow group, but I'd like it to be a group.

but I think you all are right that I'm mostly in for the company/accountability. and I'm actually running MCM this year so my week to week schedule actually matches up with the DCRR program. my biggest struggle in the summer is getting my long runs in early to a) beat the heat and b) get on with my day!

Do you know how the DCRR marathon training program works? Do they sort you into pace groups so you have people of a similar pace to run with?

yeah, they put you into pace groups. I guess the reason I categorize this as a beginner training program has little to do with how fast anyone is running. It has more to do with the speed workouts and the fact that all of the long runs are at exactly the same pace every mile, every week.  they teach you how to build a base and do some introductory speed workouts, but there's a huge gap between the training programs and the regular club.  there also isn't much support for reaching towards a goal in the training programs. I mean the coaches will be all 'go you!' if you have a time goal but I didn't get much advice on how to meet that goal.

I did the half training program this winter and there were people who *just* started running banging out sub 8 min miles on their long runs.  lucky ducks. 

[Wines Not Whines]

Jun 11, 2014 14:38:01 GMT -5 ebeth said:

Jun 11, 2014 14:23:59 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Do you know how the DCRR marathon training program works? Do they sort you into pace groups so you have people of a similar pace to run with?

yeah, they put you into pace groups. I guess the reason I categorize this as a beginner training program has little to do with how fast anyone is running. It has more to do with the speed workouts and the fact that all of the long runs are at exactly the same pace every mile, every week.  they teach you how to build a base and do some introductory speed workouts, but there's a huge gap between the training programs and the regular club.  there also isn't much support for reaching towards a goal in the training programs. I mean the coaches will be all 'go you!' if you have a time goal but I didn't get much advice on how to meet that goal.

I did the half training program this winter and there were people who *just* started running banging out sub 8 min miles on their long runs.  lucky ducks. 

I hate those people.

I have no idea how the MCRR program will be, and I haven't been sorted into my pace group yet, but I'm mostly doing it so I can have company on long runs.