Intervals vs steady runs for marathon training

George21 wrote:

Can you train with either intervals or long slow/steady running.

Or you need both?

You could get away without interval training for a Marathon. But you need long slow steady runs. Ideally you do both.

Mostly long steady running peaking with a weekly long run of 20-24 miles, increasingly long tempo runs, plus some long intervals, in that order.

GettingFasterDude wrote:

Mostly long steady running peaking with a weekly long run of 20-24 miles, increasingly long tempo runs, plus some long intervals, in that order.

Agree with this advice.

Shorter faster intervals earlier in your buildup will make your target pace feel easier for the moderate/tempo longer intervals, and for long runs containing sustained blocks of marathon pace.

That is how I now think about it.

Granted some coaches and tried and true marathon books like Pfitzinger will turn this on it’s head and have faster intervals near the end of a build up. I think this also can work, but is not the ideal way.

Everyone responds differently to training.

I like to do several mini cycles for a 5k, then a 10k or half marathon. Then launch into marathon buildup once I’m already fast.

Gradually slowing down target race pace, but extending the length and volume of workouts throughout each phase of race prep.

For most of your training, yes.

Not necessarily optimal but work is work.