Anybody tried: How to Run a 3 hour Marathon, a Just Enough Training Approach?

I'm a 46yrs old hobby jogger. Marathon PR of 2:48 from 3yrs back.

Last year I stopped running for 6 months, then I realised I felt like I was getting fat, so I picked it up again. I like to have goals, so I decided to see if I could get back to sub 3 in the marathon again. I wanted to test something new and I found this program:

https://bridgerridgerun.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/how-to-run-a-3-hour-marathon-a-just-enough-training-approach/

I seems to suit me well as I realised that I need more rest as I've gotten older, in order to keep colds away. Anybody tried it? If so, what are your thoughts?

I'm in the middle of the program right now. And last long run was the first long run I really felt that I had no problem increasing to marathon speed after 2hrs. Averaged 6'32"/mi for last 8k. Felt good. Yassos are solid at 2'48"-2'50".

Not many sessions in this program, but they are long and tough. Sometimes I add an extra jog in there to bump the mileage.

Any thoughts on the program and input from people done low volume marathon training are much appreciated.

It's a reasonable plan, and very similar to the low-mileage training I have done over the years.

Next year when I make one last attempt at sub-3, my plan will look a lot like that. It's interesting that he includes VO2-max workouts through the entire schedule. I have always felt those were important, and run them throughout my marathon training.

I generally mix in repeat 1000s, 1200s and miles, in addition to the 800s. And have kept the volume at 3 to 4 miles. I might try hitting 5 miles like his plan.

I agree with the notion that for sub-3, you have to be thinking of a pace quite a bit quicker than 6:52/mi. He says 6:40. I think 6:45 is good. That is what I figured the last time I broke 3. My first mile was 6:45, and I held a steady pace, and never had to panic about cutting it too close.

In the past, I have averaged 40-45 miles per week. The challenge for me now is that I feel the need to increase my mileage because at my age now, 3:00 is comparatively WAY beyond what I have ever run. And overall mileage has historically been my most obvious "weakness."

2:59 at age 60 age-grades to a 2:26. That's pretty daunting with a lifetime PR of only 2:40. Maybe impossible. For you, however, I think that low-mileage plan will work very well.

Anybody tried: How to Run a 3 hour Marathon, a Just Enough Training Approach?

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Anybody tried: How to Run a 3 hour Marathon, a Just Enough Training Approach?

Follow Allen1959

Block Allen1959

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.