2019 marathon strategy

[C3PO]

With all the time on my hands to think lately, and some slight disappointment that my London training hasn't gone quite to plan, I've been looking ahead.

I doubt I'll ever be tempted to join the 100-marathon club or anything like that. Maybe one a year. We'll see. As I've mentioned before, I'm going to focus more on speed going ahead. But considering how helpful the training is for my general health, I'd like to try training for a marathon again - just without a specific event in mind. Basically, I'm thinking that I could start in mid-January, possibly early February (if I'm crazy enough to do the Xmas race again) and do a regular 16-week program. If I develop any injuries, I can take the time off to recover, and not be frustrated. When I get to the taper stage, I could then look around and see if there are any marathons for me to enter. For example, Copenhagen has its marathon in mid May, and Stockholm in early June. Both are easy for me to get to on short notice, and I think I could find somewhere to stay. I see that both of this year's races are still accepting entries, so I can decide on short notice.

Does that sound like a good plan?

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I have been having very similar thoughts - so it sounds good to me!

[AnnieW55]

Sounds good to me too. Its something similar to what I'm doing although I'm working on this for my first marathon which is in October.

[Madge50 Marathon]

I’ve been thinking that, but about half marathon, I really like the health benefits and actually felt the best so far at the one i did in March. I’d like to keep near that level, and I’ve been thinking of a plan that goes up to 10-12 miles once a month or so....

Good luck with your plan.

Mx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Excellent plan Cristina xxx

[benwill Marathon]

That does sound like a plan and I am sure it be great for you in a health sense.

But....... will you have the motivation? from my personal experience on my last marathon, those long runs really did drain all love for running from me. Without the knowledge that I had a race I would never have done it. Also if you get to the point where you are ready for a race and then that race is not for a month or so how do you keep that fitness there for longer period of time which i am guessing could increase the chance of injury.

Over the last year or more i have kept at a fitness where I could do a half marathon any time i wanted (sometimes it would be fast sometimes slow) I think this is a lot easier to maintain. Then when you do have a marathon you can up the distance and doesn't take that much.

but what do I know, I have retired from marathons!

[C3PO Marathon in reply to benwill]

I definitely see your point, but I do plan to have a race in my sights - I just thought I'd be flexible about my options. I have to admit that I can see the trouble of finding motivation for a marathon that isn't London, as it's so special.

[benwill Marathon in reply to C3PO]

And see how you feel after London, once you have experienced it you might want to do something else. I heard triathlon's are very good

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to benwill]

Swimrun!

[C3PO Marathon in reply to benwill]

Can’t swim very well, so triathlons are out. I don’t need any new obsessions.

[benwill Marathon in reply to C3PO]

it is not new it's just an extension!

[TedG Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

That’s the reason I decided on the GNR as my first HM this year. It’s a long way to go....I’m flying up...but you have the atmosphere of London only half the distance so something to focus on 😊

You spoke of not wanting to join the 100 club, my brother just did his 79th in Rome a couple of weeks ago.... he’s nuts lol

[Irish-John Marathon]

"Onwards and Upwards" always looks good to me, especially by experienced Runners.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I think that sounds like a brilliant plan. I am for one race a year, in fact I am not sure if I will end up doing any this year but I am quite keen to plan my own....

[C3PO Marathon]

My mind drifted back to my Helsinki race last August, and it occurred to me that the Helsinki Marathon might be a good event. The support was phenomenal there. I think that’s what Lordi is running this year.