Evaluate my training plan

Peckham

Right, here is a call for constructive criticism. I've spent this evening designing a training plan to take me up to mid-May when I'll be taking a three week break from running.

Key objective is to have me in reasonably good shape for when I return from my three week break to start into training for Berlin, which will be almost 15 weeks away from my return.

Secondary objective is to post good times in the races highlighted (all BHAA), particularly the 8 mile one.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Racing Flat

On very quick scan, my impression is that you will be essentially base training, trying to establish a good base so that when you come back from your break you can hit the ground running.

By hitting the ground running with 15 weeks to a sub 3 hour marathon, you'll be wanting to do 50miles a week, I presume. Therefore, I'd aim at making 50miles a week real comfortable between now and the end of May, so that after your break it's not too much of a shock to the system. So by the end of March I'd be at 50 miles a week, so you nearly have 2 months of this, with a 40mile week every 4th week if needed.

To that extent, buming up the miles a tad, maybe doing 6 days rather than 5 may be appropriate. Also, racing every 2nd week, may not be ideal if it means you drop the miles. I'm not saying don't do the races, but getting back into the habit of 50 a week should be priority, so keep the miles up.

15 weeks is fairly compact, you're giving yourself a tough enough job. Move the weedding to April I say.:D

cfitz

I'd try to avoid having a 15 mile run the day after a race - I know it's hard to fit everything in without putting some of the difficult stuff back to back. Also, I'd prefer to do an easy run of some sort the day after a race rather than just going to the gym. A lot of people recommend doing some sprints after your easy runs to keep up your leg speed during base phase - it sounds sensible to me. I like to do some running the day before a race, usually just warm up, strides, and warm down.

Peckham

Some good feedback there. Thanks.

To put it in context, my intended training plan for this year's sub-3 attempt is P&D less than 55 miles, with some small variations (i.e. may push the longer weeks up to 60 miles). This is what I have used for two of my previous marathons and felt in good shape on both occasions - however previously I have used the 18 week plan, which time doesn't allow for on this occasion. On the basis of these plans it's likely to be mid-July before I need to go over 50 miles, so have time to build back up to it.

Am willing to drop the races to allow me to push the miles up more easily - my training cycles in previous years involved very few races, so don't feel I need them as much.

(Will check with herself about moving the wedding to April )

buck65

sorry wrong thread!