Mileage to start if already done 3 half marathons

[Pippa49]

Hi I started training today initially for the Swansea Half marathon on 23rd June but ultimately for the Yorkshire Marathon. As I have already done three half marathons how far should I run. In the first week (the mid-week runs will be between 30-45mins). When I trained for the Brighton Half with the Brighton Marathon as the ultimate goal I started with 8miles. Should I start with 8" miles again or start with 5K? Taking the 4 week taper into consideration I have 22 weeks.

[Bazza1234 Marathon]

What was the length of your longest run in the past few weeks??

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Bazza1234]

I haven't really done a long run since attempting and failing to finish the Brighton marathon (I only managed 13miles so I suppose this was the longest run. I have been taking it easy since I came home and only started training again today because I have Swansea Half.

[Bazza1234 Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

OK - so that was only about a week ago?? I think you could start your longruns at the distance that you ran then. I was a bit too ambitious about where I would start my current training programme - I hadnt done any longruns for quite a while but thought I could start where I did. It caused me some grief with my calves which took a while to get over.

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to Bazza1234]

OK although I have been out for shorter runs that have been hard work. I have a friend who is a coach. I will ask her when I see her Thursday.

[Bazza1234 Marathon in reply to Pippa49]

If you ran that 13 miles only a week ago, you may still be a bit tired and deflated hence the "not good" short runs since? If you are training for an upcoming HM,and you have recently run a HM length even though it was a dissappointment, you could still start out at around 12 miles and take your longruns way out to 17/18 miles. Get you legs to the point where they say "What? are we stopping" at that 13.1 mile mark in the event I have heard that the best way to train for a HM is to train for the full marathon and then on the day stop half way

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

I would start from scratch. I’d choose a HM program that suits me and start new. I always do. I’ve completed C25K and Bridge to 10K a few times each. I’ve done the same with HM. That’s why l decided to take my time with full marathon although l could have already run it. We’re not pros, no need for rushing.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I wouldn't think about mileage at all at this stage. You have already been running 13 miles plus recently and regularly.

If I were you I'd do some work on speed. Getting that half marathon done in a shorter time will really help you with your marathon performance.

Talk to your coach friend about it xxx

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I have only done 13miles once in two weeks. The two half marathons I have done this year were in February and March respectively. Doing small runs time based is OK but when I come to do the long runs for my marathon distance is the only way I will know if I can do it in a reasonable time.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Pippa49]

Doubling your half marathon time and adding 40 minutes will give you a rough estimate of your marathon time - this is where you are NOW and that is the information you need to work with NOW. Apologies for the block capitals 😊

You will be building up your long run over time as dictated by your marathon plan, don't worry about that. But the long run is there to train you to spend a long time on your legs, it is not a good idea to use it as a measure of speed, as it should be taken extra slowly. And anyway, your longest run will take place only three or four weeks before the marathon - at that point it will be too late to do anything about it!

Your training plan should include some intervals and tempo work to help prepare your muscles for speed and efficiency. Really the sooner you can get started on this the better.

For the Swansea Half, you have about nine weeks I think, so you may as well start at 5k and build up your mileage week by week, alongside your intervals/tempo sessions.

Good luck! I really want to see you hit your goals, and I believe in you!!!! xxx

[Pippa49 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks roseabi. I appreciate your help. Somebody has emailed a marathon training plan.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Pippa49]

Lovely xxx

[Madge50 Marathon]

I’m with roseabi , at the moment I’d concentrate on getting myself into the best condition possible, e.g, eating healthily, sleeping well, well hydrated etc.,

You know how to train for a HM you’ve already done that, so you have some idea of how to build mileage, and you’ll know how much you were doing weekly, you have enough weeks to build on that up to the longer distance - there are plenty of free plans you can look at on the Internet, to see generally how weekly mileage builds further for a marathon, then adjust them to what suits you.

I’m sure your running club will be a great source of help and advice too.

As I recall, the longest run I’ve seen recommended for marathon before taper, is 20 miles I think.

Good luck, hope you find something that suits

Mx