Marathon plan

[paul1960]

I think I have found the right plan that suits me it's got me running 3days aweek just wondering is running 3days aweek enough to train for a marathon there are lots of different plans this is a 12 week plan what doyou think help

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

3 days a week is fine, and 12 weeks is pretty standard. What plan is it?

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Cant remember what plan is called the big runs each week go from 9miles 10 12 14 16 18 8 16 18 20 8 6 these are all the 12 the long runs for each week

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to paul1960]

Looks fine! When do you start?

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

January ready for April I hope

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to paul1960]

Good luck and have fun!!

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Not to sure on time it took me 2.30 for half so looking 5.30 may be 6 hours what do you think

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to paul1960]

I think 5.30-6 hours is a reasonable expectation, but don't worry about how long it will take you to do your first marathon. Take your training long runs slowly so you get used to spending a long time on your feet, and be sure to practice eating and drinking on the go.

And enjoy your training! A marathon is an amazing accomplishment, not least because it isn't easy and it isn't always fun. The main thing is to get the most out of the work you put into your training, and to savour your achievement when you finally reach the end xxx

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks your right time is not important it's just about finishing

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to paul1960]

Absolutely!

[MadDave]

I wish I could fit my marathon training into 3 runs a week, but life isn’t like that for me! More like at least 5 runs a week, squeezing them in around family/work where I can. It isn’t easy and it’s not always fun trying to juggle things around. Good luck!

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to MadDave]

I'm looking to do my first marathon in May. Like you, I'm hoping to get round in 5-5.30. I'm taking a look at the various plans and confusing myself!

If you find a link to yours, I'd be interested.

I'm looking at the BUPA ones.

[paul1960 Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

Week 1 . 3 .4.9

Week 2 . 3.6.10

Week 3 .6.12

Week 4. 3.6.14

Week 5 4.8.16

Week 6 4.8.18

Week 7 4.8.8

Week 8 3.10.16

Week 9 3.10.18

Week 10 4.10.20

Week 11 3.10.8

Week 12 3.6.6

This seems to look ok for me what do you think

[Macmac Marathon in reply to paul1960]

I followed the bupa intermediate plan, and combined elements of a couple of other plans from books etc. From memory, the long run extended every 2 weeks, with the week in between maybe 10miles to allow more recovery. I would find 16,18,20 on consecutive weeks tough personally, but it may work for you. Just listen to your body - if you don’t feel recovered, then maybe miss/delay a run which I did a couple of times, and got through injury free. Good luck to you - it is a huge achievement for anyone and those last 6 miles are tough.

[AnnaKarenina Metric Marathon]

Hello Paul, another one training for a first marathon here. I am using a plan that takes me out four times a week and I have stretched it a bit as I began in November (I have cancer so need to allow for even more unexpected bumps along the way than most runners encounter). So far it is working well (touching wood and crossing fingers). I think plans vary, but so do runners and it is probably best to find one that works well with the rest of your life and your own preferences. I shall thinking of you as I plod around on my long runs on a Sunday. It is good to know there are other marathon newbies doing the same thing. I am up to 11 miles now and the long runs increase a mile each week with some up and down variance in February before the decrease/taper.

[Hidden]

I trained on three runs a week for my marathon. The long run schedule was similar to your plan but I had another cutback week added in. I also went to 22 miles as my marathon was put back a week to beginning of may so I had a bit extra time to add that in and an extra taper week to recover before race day. I would also try and add some strengthening exercises in weekly to support the training plan. Enjoy ticking off those long runs, some weeks you will have satisfying runs and sometimes they are hard work. Regularly review the plan and see how far you have come.