Is my marathon training program going to work for me?

Training Advice/Discussion

5 years ago 08/14/2018 9:17pm EDT

Background I am a 45 year old woman who has been running and racing for 4 years. I signed up to run my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in October. No real running expectations but I would like run as close as I can to 4 hours as possible. My PR's are 1:57:05 in the half (I've run 11 half marathons along with numerous other 10 milers, 10k's, 5 milers, 5k's - I love running races).

I am a run streaker currently on a 600+ day running streak. My body is used to running every day, no real injuries at my starting base of running 30-40 miles a week. I tried and failed to start several marathon training programs. They just aren't tailored to my lifestyle and none recommend running all 7 days. I've since started my own marathon training plan. Right now I am running 50+ miles a week. My plan has been to run one hour a day 6 days a week (which for me ends up being 6.5 - 7.5 miles depending on the workout) and one long run on the weekends which I plan to cap at 20 miles. I do two speedwork days and I live in a very hilly area so everything is hill work. I guess what I am asking is this enough? I know at 45 I am not going to set the world on fire, I just would like to get a below 4:30 finish. As an idea of my short distance speed, I recently ran a 5k in 25:05 (came in 2nd in my age group, lol)

5 years ago 08/14/2018 9:21pm EDT

re: RunNinaRun73

5 years ago 08/14/2018 9:28pm EDT

re: RunNinaRun73

RunNinaRun73 wrote:
Background I am a 45 year old woman who has been running and racing for 4 years. I signed up to run my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in October. No real running expectations but I would like run as close as I can to 4 hours as possible. My PR's are 1:57:05 in the half (I've run 11 half marathons along with numerous other 10 milers, 10k's, 5 milers, 5k's - I love running races).
I am a run streaker currently on a 600+ day running streak. My body is used to running every day, no real injuries at my starting base of running 30-40 miles a week. I tried and failed to start several marathon training programs. They just aren't tailored to my lifestyle and none recommend running all 7 days. I've since started my own marathon training plan. Right now I am running 50+ miles a week. My plan has been to run one hour a day 6 days a week (which for me ends up being 6.5 - 7.5 miles depending on the workout) and one long run on the weekends which I plan to cap at 20 miles. I do two speedwork days and I live in a very hilly area so everything is hill work. I guess what I am asking is this enough? I know at 45 I am not going to set the world on fire, I just would like to get a below 4:30 finish. As an idea of my short distance speed, I recently ran a 5k in 25:05 (came in 2nd in my age group, lol)

This is not a bad plan. If you can run 7.5 miles in 60 minutes in training, you should be running a lot faster in the HM.

What do you do on your speedwork days?

5 years ago 08/14/2018 9:45pm EDT

re: PicsNinaPics

Haha no pics! I do intervals usually 1/4 to 1/2 mile intervals in 7 - 8 minute range. If I really speed it up to 6:30 pace intervals I usually only do .10-.20 of a mile because I can't hold that pace for long. Or I do tempo runs. I haven't run a half since I started this training. That half PR was on 30ish miles a week without ever running more than 10 miles as a long run beforehand.

5 years ago 08/14/2018 9:45pm EDT

re: RunNinaRun73

Hello

I personally found that running at least 1 semi long run during the week. 10-15 for me and one weekend long run. 16-22 had helped with everything a lot. I cramped badly on my first go around with the marathon. The long runs have been really helping adjust to the pounding. Good luck with you training and streak!!! I think you will do just fine and get in there at 4!!!!

5 years ago 08/14/2018 9:48pm EDT

re: HardingRyan

Thanks Ryan! Sadly I know this is my weak point. I don't like running more than once a week for a long run. I just find the longer runs tedious and boring, esp because I do them at a slower pace. I should join our local running group here for company on these runs. Just hard to fit in with my work schedule.

5 years ago 08/14/2018 11:42pm EDT

re: RunNinaRun73

Nina if you continue running 50+ mpw with that schedule, you'll smash 4:30 and eventually smash 4:00.

hopefully your 2 speedwork days are well thought out. some people who havent done formal training don't have a good understanding of interval workouts or tempos. you might be doing them too hard or not hard enough, or enough reps, or too many reps, or the wrong rest amounts.

can you tell us more about those workouts you do?

also, if the only difference between the marathon training plans you've attempted/quit and your own training is the 7 days of running, you should easily be able to adapt those plans. keep those workouts and the long runs and just do the easy runs however you feel is right for you.

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