Best freely available marathon training plan?

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definitely give Jeff Galloway a look:

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/time_goal.html

Nice try but Jeff's is not free. However, the best plans are all on this message board, and usually ask for a high mileage base (anywhere from 60 to 100 MPW), followed by a build-up of longer and longer long runs, while also introducing a build-up of longer/faster repeats and tempos. Peak a month or so out, and taper from between 10 and 20 days and you're good.

I'd say following pfitzinger is the best option.

The above linke is for 18 week 70 plan. I believe.

In my humble but highly accurate opinion

M - 3 to 8 recovery

T - AM Easy 3 to 8; PM Track/Speedwork

W - 10 to 15 easy. Long run on tired legs

Th - AM 3 to 8 recovery; same PM

F - 10 - 15 tempo/marathon pace runs.

S - 3 to 8 recovery

Sun - 15 to 20 long run

Basic template. Free. Knock yourself out.

ecin, that looks like a much better plan than what I've found. would you recommend buying and reading "Advanced Marathoning" as well? The only real training book I've read is Daniels' Running Formula.

How do you all feel about Jack Daniels' approach and the plan in the book (assuming you've read it)? I know it's not free, but I already have it so it's also an option for me.

IMHBHAO wrote:

In my humble but highly accurate opinion

M - 3 to 8 recovery

T - AM Easy 3 to 8; PM Track/Speedwork

W - 10 to 15 easy. Long run on tired legs

Th - AM 3 to 8 recovery; same PM

F - 10 - 15 tempo/marathon pace runs.

S - 3 to 8 recovery

Sun - 15 to 20 long run

Basic template. Free. Knock yourself out.

This is an excellent template. Though I would switch T and F sessions IMHO.

Lot's of good stuff here. I will throw out a second for Pfitzinger's plan. The article does a nice job laying it out. But if you can spare moving from free to, say, 20 bucks, I would recommend the book. It is a great resource.

This is free. It's the actual running done by motivated and experienced real runners in the real world, not a bunch of numbers plucked from someone's ass. You can tune in for the results - in fact you can check the training and results from the last few seasons.

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=3646621

check out www.lizmccolgan.co.uk shes offering advice and training plans

cgc wrote:

ecin, that looks like a much better plan than what I've found. would you recommend buying and reading "Advanced Marathoning" as well? The only real training book I've read is Daniels' Running Formula.

How do you all feel about Jack Daniels' approach and the plan in the book (assuming you've read it)? I know it's not free, but I already have it so it's also an option for me.

Yes, pay for the book! It is money well-spent. If you like knowledge and knowing why you are doing what you are doing, get the book. I've read a 2 times, even though I don't follow the programs.

What a true master who is in tune with his body and (adequately) wise on the training of distance runners would do is get up in the morning and decide what workout on that day would make you a better runner (marathoner). Lol (not for everyone, especially those who can't live without schedules/planning). Kenny moore's cycle was good: long run, easy day(s), long intervals, easy day(s), repeat. I think he had a short interval session once in a while too.... that cycle was pretty much designed by bowerman. I think lydiard's marathon training program is very good too, but if it's me I would ditch the hill phase and just include hilly runs in your week-to-week training (I was never convinced by the hill bounding/springing stuff). I think it's a very good question though, and in the end you have to find what works for you. For me, I like less strict schedules.