It’s time for me to start another training cycle - this time I’m going to be stepping up my mileage to train for the New York Marathon on November 2. I didn’t qualify for the race, but instead got in through their rule that if you don’t get in by lottery for 3 years in a row, they’ll let you in the 4th year.
As far as a training plan, I am planning to go with the Level 1 plan in Matt Fitzgerald’s book, Brain Training For Runners
Although I have run a couple of marathons, it’s been quite a while, so I’ve decided to take a conservative approach and go with the lowest mileage plan in the book. The plan suggests four runs per week + 1 optional cardio cross training workout + 2 resistance workouts. The longest run is 20 miles. The plan is 24 weeks long, which means that I’m starting the plan this week on week 3.
I’m not going to be a slave to the plan - depending on how I feel, I may add in an additional cardio cross training session some weeks, and make my long runs a bit longer than called for in the plan. I’m probably also substitute some of the hill or fartlek workouts for interval workouts since I really enjoy the weekly track workouts I do on Wednesday nights.
If any of you are training for a fall marathon, I’d love to hear about your goals and your plan of attack for training - so leave a comment!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
How exciting - The NewYorkMarathon.
And you have plenty of time to train so take it easy.
: )
KCH, I really recommend Al Lyman’s plans! I bought the 16 week plan to do St. George and it is a truly SMART plan. There is no run that you do that is “junk miles”. We do two twenty miles runs on back to back sundays along with TONS of strengthening work and yoga. I am reading Brain Training as well, but, I’m not convinced his plans are the best.
@kara - Thanks, I will. I’m really looking forward to the race.
@Rachel - I’m planning to stick to quality runs too, and do biking and other low-impact cardio activities to further increase my aerobic fitness. I look forward to seeing how Lyman’s 16 week plan works for you.
I’m doing Twin Cities in October. My goal is a BQ of 3:10 using Hal Higdon’s Intermediate II. This will be my first marathon so we’ll see how it goes!!
@crossn81 - good luck with your training, I’m sure you’re going to do well - your half marathon times are fantastic!
I’m training for the Denver Marathon. Last year I ran a 2:58, so I’d like to at least beat that. I’m just returning from a 7 week lay off due to a hip flexor sprain, so hopefully I haven’t lost to much fitness.
Good luck with NYC. I’m thinking that I may run that race next year, November is a great month for a marathon, plus it gives you the month of October to train with some cool Colorado temps.
@RunColo - I was registered to run the half marathon race at the Denver Marathon last year, but had a family emergency and missed it. Good luck with your training - and your injury recovery.