Is this marathon training plan ok? :)

[Starbeach]

Hello!

I'm hoping to run the Brighton Marathon in April 2025 and have started to think about a training plan.

I've looked through Nike's one, and quite a few others, and factored in a few prior commitments etc and this is what I've come up with....

Would really love any input on it, as this is my first marathon!😬😬😬

I have run 3 half marathons before, and currently run four times a week (average weekly milage of about 15 miles), but I know a full marathon is a totally different beast! .

Have I made any rookie errors??! 😂

ps The weekly tempo run would be whatever Nike's training plan sets out and varies in duration so, I have just added it to the plan as 'Tempo Run'.

Thank you!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Hi there! how exciting!!! You have been very busy. Great that you've put together a plan that fits your normal running routine; that gives you a fighting chance of accomplishing it!

One thing I would suggest considering is introducing a cut-back week every four or five weeks;in that week you give your body chance to rest, recover and assimilate all the benefits you can from your training in that block. This is usually achieved by reducing the length of the long run. Maybe increase by 1.5 or 2 miles some weeks, to give you space to have a cutback week in between. You could aim for a reduction of say 25 or 30% of the previous week's mileage in those cutback weeks.

[Starbeach in reply to linda9389]

Thanks so much Linda9389 - that’s such a good point! Plan now amended to include cut back weeks 😃 excellent advice, thank you.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Starbeach]

Just be sure to enjoy it 😊

[misswobble Marathon]

That’s very organised 🙂. Good luck with it. Have fun out there 🙂👍

[Starbeach in reply to misswobble]

thank you 😁 nervous, but excited!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Starbeach]

Excited is good! 😀. You have to want to do it, and enjoying the process is important. At times you wonder question why you’re doing it but that’s par for the course 🙂

I thought I’d just run one marathon. One for my 60th birthday, then that would be the end of it. Then having run one I wanted to to just another one - just to prove the first one wasn’t a fluke. I think this year will be my 8th 🫣

[00marks Marathon]

Its great that you are planning to run a marathon. It is a big commitment and can take over your life! What time were you aiming for in the marathon as that will influence your training plan?

My advice FWIW is that so much can go wrong when training for a marathon. Don't overdo it and it is no big deal if you have bad weeks. The first, and main, goal I alway would have is to cross the start line. A surprising number of folks who set out to run a marathon never cross the start line because of injury, illness or life events.

In terms of your plan I'd say don't do too much in the last couple of weeks before the marathon. You won't lose any fitness and you want to be fresh for the big day.

Keep us posted on how the training is going.

[Starbeach in reply to 00marks]

Thank you 😀, yes, its a bit daunting and we all know what happens to the ‘best laid plans’ 🫣🫣🫣😂. Great point re: not overdoing it in the final weeks too. Thanks again

[RunWillie Marathon]

So exciting that you’re running a marathon. I don’t know your pace but I’m on the slower side & my body wouldn’t have coped with the weekly long runs you’ve got on your plan. I only did three runs over 3hours in training & my longest run pre marathon was 18miles. You may well be faster so it might not be quite as taxing. I did start with a 30mile base so my body was used to weekly miles just less emphasis on the long run.

[Starbeach in reply to RunWillie]

30 mile base, that a great base! Yes, I think you’re totally right - as suggested by Linda, I’ve weaved in some cut back weeks so less long runs over all. All that I need to do now is actually do the runs! 😁😁 thanks again

[misswobble Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Me too 🙂. The NRC had me do a 25k last weekend and wants me to do a 30km this weekend 😬. That would be another three hour plus run 😏

I’m not keen I have to say. I might swerve that one and do a 32 km next weekend. I don’t see much advantage in doing both so close together . At my age 👵🏻☺️

It’s a balancing act isn’t it 🤔

[Katnap Marathon]

Tailchaser successfully uses cut back weeks. It helps punctuate training into blocks.

How have you been fuelling your HMs?

Many runners select a distance interval to consume their energy of choice. This can help you turn what is a very long distance into smaller chunks, taking on carbs , electrolyte (posh for salt, sodium being the main one to keep topped up), and water.

And remember those warm down walks from C25K? A 10 - 15 minutes recovery walk helps to keep your legs fresh after the long run.

Consider visiting the HU Strength and Flex community. There's loads of options to suit everyone to help you be less prone to injury.

Have fun!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Cmoi Marathon]

I've only done one marathon event, very different from Brighton. Fwiw, I spread a 16 week plan over 20 weeks as I knew I wouldn't manage to run five times a week throughout. I personally wouldn't group all the easy pace runs together either, I'd alternate them with the faster runs and long runs. Hope you enjoy your training.