Hal Higdon Programs..Help Please!

altercor

Hey All!

I'm training for my fourth marathon (PB of 3hrs 21 in Barcelona this march) and I have taken advice that all of my miles are great this year but my lack of speed work (as in..none!) will mean that i'll just hover at that level and not improve. I agree..Felt a bit stale after Barcelona.

I followed a Hal Higdon program for Barcelona and now I have moved on to his advanced II one (meant to be for experts:eek:).. What do ye think of these?? I'm dying to get sub 3 (like everyone else!!) but I'm just not sure it's enough to follow this program..Any thoughts you have I'd love to hear!

the program in question is here if anyone wants a gander: (the advanced II one at the end of the page..

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/advancedint.htm

Any help appreciated in advance, oh knowledgeable ones!:)

chinguetti

If your problem is speed work, try and run a race series or middle distance track events if you can.

Don't know where you are based but i did 4 legs of the Lord Mayor's Series in Raheny and found it great for speed sessions. Can't hack speed sessions on my own so this is a great way round it.

If there's no races to suit, rope a friend in to help you on the speed sessions as it does help.

Can't give an opinion on Hal's plan as i've never used his programmes.

All the best in making a sub 3

altercor

Thanks chinguetti! Ya, I recently joined an athletics club (in cork) to help with the speed work and as expected, got my ass handed to me on a plate in the first mile repeats session (straying from my program!)..My splits were faster than I've ever run but I was a long way off anyone in the group! So, plenty to aim for! I've entered two 5ks in last two weeks and I'm also doing the Tulfarris 10 mile in Wicklow this weekend.. I think I'm just paniced about the low enough mid-week mileage of the program. It maxes out at about 54 in a week, once.. 3*20 milers though..arrgghh!!

Thanks for your help..Think I'll just turn the lights off and rock back and forth in the corner of the room worrying about it...Probably the best course of action!

chinguetti

Good job on the club. You'll see the benefits of those sessions in a few weeks so don't give up as it will be worthwhile and you'll knock a chunk of time of a PB before the winter arrives.

Also quality of sessions more than quantity is something to try and aim for.

Try and run one night a week as a social thing where you meet a mate for a run, it will take your mind off the run and keep you from going stir crazy on the running. Or is it too late?

altercor

Thanks chinguetti! Ya, the whole social run thing is a good idea too..Keeps the focus on why we actually put on the runners in the first place..Cos we enjoy it!

Best of luck with your endeavours and thanks for the advice!