Running advice

[eli]

Hi everyone!

You all were so encouraging to me when I asked a few months ago if I could train for a marathon in 9 months (after having brain surgery). Running has been going well although I'm basically a sloth. I did 12 miles today with my training program (I'm a few weeks ahead because i wanted to pad it in case of sickness or what not). But...I've noticed that as the training plan goes on, the long runs keep increasing but the other runs during the week never exceed 4 miles. I see that half higdon has much longer runs besides the long run. Idk, I feel like I'm on a roll with this training plan and feeling pretty good but I wonder if I would get better results switching to hal higdon. Mentally, I'm having a hard time thinking of it as a step back since the first week has a much shorter long run. Maybe I could somehow merge the two? Any advice would be so appreciated! Thank you all for inspiring me so much!

[eli]

And I should say today I had to walk about 2 of the 12 miles.

[lilypad1126]

What are your goals with this marathon? Are you aiming for a certain time? My first marathon, I trained with a plan that never had me go over 5 miles for my mid-week runs, and most weeks I ran 4 days a week (with other cross-training one other day). My goal was just to finish. I also had a decent fitness level going in (I had already run 2 half marathons that year).

My most recent marathon (only my 3rd ever) I had a time goal in mind, and I hired a coach and followed the plan he gave me. My mid-week runs were all between 5 and 8 miles, and my longest run was only 18. That plan did get me faster.

So, all that to say, you can absolutely run a marathon with mid-week runs being only 4 miles, but you might not set a speed record. So I think in order to determine if you should switch training plans, you should really think about what your overall goals are. You say you feel like you are on a roll with the current plan, so that would make me a little hesitant to change it. There's no one perfect/right training plan that works for everyone.

[foundmylazybum]

Dec 5, 2019 13:06:32 GMT -5 lilypad1126 said:

What are your goals with this marathon? Are you aiming for a certain time? My first marathon, I trained with a plan that never had me go over 5 miles for my mid-week runs, and most weeks I ran 4 days a week (with other cross-training one other day). My goal was just to finish. I also had a decent fitness level going in (I had already run 2 half marathons that year).

My most recent marathon (only my 3rd ever) I had a time goal in mind, and I hired a coach and followed the plan he gave me. My mid-week runs were all between 5 and 8 miles, and my longest run was only 18. That plan did get me faster.

So, all that to say, you can absolutely run a marathon with mid-week runs being only 4 miles, but you might not set a speed record. So I think in order to determine if you should switch training plans, you should really think about what your overall goals are. You say you feel like you are on a roll with the current plan, so that would make me a little hesitant to change it. There's no one perfect/right training plan that works for everyone.

This isnt..exactly true, but kind of.

The issue that the OP is bringing up without explicitly saying it is the issue of load.

Personally I'd be concerned doing 4 miles then TRIPLING time on feet by running 12.

If the longest run tops out at 20, but the rest of the runs are staying at 4-5 the athlete is really not balancing load very well within the training plan, even if they arent adding in the additional loading aspect of speed.

I dont think the OP needs to drop their plan completely but I would either maintain long runs while increasing mid week miles a bit (do two 6-8milers) with two 4 milers and the 12 miler and see how that goes for 2-3 weeks.

OR I'd risk it and increase both, then back off if I felt burned up.

[eli]

Thank you both for responding! Yes, foundmylazybum I think what you're saying was my fear. I had read somewhere that the long run shouldn't be the focus of training and that even the shorter runs should add bulk as you go on. So, I think I might pull back the long run for a few weeks and try to increase a bit on the shorter runs and then keep going. I have until May so hopefully that gives me some time to play around with it a bit. Thank you!

[lilypad1126]

Ah, I guess I missed that the OP was specifically asking about load.

Regardless, I’m sure OP will do well in her marathon since she has until May to build up/train! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!

[eli]

Dec 7, 2019 9:36:29 GMT -5 lilypad1126 said:

Ah, I guess I missed that the OP was specifically asking about load.

Regardless, I’m sure OP will do well in her marathon since she has until May to build up/train! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Thank you so so much for your encouragement!!

[foundmylazybum]

She didnt specifically ask, but that's what the post was about.

[gt7301b]

My general rule of thumb is to do your best to follow the plan as laid out because whoever put it together that way for a reason.  That being said having 4 miles as your shortest midweek run does seem a bit low, however, I'm not sure that I ran more than 4 miles for the mid week runs in my first marathon.  Rather than trying to merge the plans I would just switch to the Hal Higdon plans.  I know a lot of people who have successfully used his plans.

[eli]

Dec 8, 2019 21:15:49 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

My general rule of thumb is to do your best to follow the plan as laid out because whoever put it together that way for a reason.  That being said having 4 miles as your shortest midweek run does seem a bit low, however, I'm not sure that I ran more than 4 miles for the mid week runs in my first marathon.  Rather than trying to merge the plans I would just switch to the Hal Higdon plans.  I know a lot of people who have successfully used his plans.

I just decided last night to switch over to hal higdon so thank you for reaffirming this! I had used it to train for my half many years ago and had a pretty good outcome so hoping for the same. Thanks so much!

[Wines Not Whines]

I’ve always heard that your long run should be no more than 50% of your total weekly mileage. So if your longest long run is 20 miles, your other weekly runs should add up to at least 20 miles (40 mpw total).

[eli]

Dec 10, 2019 5:20:17 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I’ve always heard that your long run should be no more than 50% of your total weekly mileage. So if your longest long run is 20 miles, your other weekly runs should add up to at least 20 miles (40 mpw total).

This is super helpful. Thank you!