Marathon Training Plan: 18 week v 12 week

sideswipe

Started P&D 18 week plan (55 mile) for New York Marathon but have since had a bit of a problem with my knee. It's more discomfort than anything else but feel I need to take a few days off to let it clear up, the discomfort is only noticeable at quicker pace, I hardly notice it at LSR and recovery pace.

Anybody any thoughts on the pro's and con's of the 12 week plan? I was thinking off taking a week off now and then building back up to start the 12 week plan. My problem stems from starting back running too many miles too hard after completing Cork in June, I'm looking to break sub 3:30 in New York following on from a 3:36 in Cork, the thing is now that I really don't want to stop the 18 week plan but fear if I don't any niggle I have now will only hamper me closer to race day during the crucial part of any training plan I end up following.

Any advise much appreciated.

ger664

Read Chapter 7 it outlines what you should do with regard to illness and injury during the training cycle.

sideswipe

ger664 wrote: »

Read Chapter 7 it outlines what you should do with regard to illness and injury during the training cycle.

Had a look at that ger thanks, it suggests resuming schedule if less than 10 days are missed. I'm just wondering what peoples opinions are on the 12 week plans as an alternative, especially when one marathon follows on from another.

TFBubendorfer

sideswipe wrote: »

Had a look at that ger thanks, it suggests resuming schedule if less than 10 days are missed. I'm just wondering what peoples opinions are on the 12 week plans as an alternative, especially when one marathon follows on from another.

It depends what shape you are in at the start of the training. If you are already in decent enough shape at the start, a 12 weeks training plan will be ok. If you start from a low fitness level (relative to your goal, that is), 12 weeks won't be enough to get you fit.

Personally I'd try and continue with the 18 weeks plan. Most injuries sort themselves out within a week - but I know that that's a controversial view.

ger664

I agree with TFB here, take some rest days and stick with the 18 week plan.

sideswipe

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

It depends what shape you are in at the start of the training. If you are already in decent enough shape at the start, a 12 weeks training plan will be ok. If you start from a low fitness level (relative to your goal, that is), 12 weeks won't be enough to get you fit.

Personally I'd try and continue with the 18 weeks plan. Most injuries sort themselves out within a week - but I know that that's a controversial view.

Cheers, I feel in pretty good shape, have about 750 miles on the clock this year so far but feel I lose fitness pretty quickly if I take time off from training.
My other problem is that I'm a bit of a plodder, this will be my 4th marathon but I've only recently managed to get to grips with the correct training paces (possibly why i've picked up a niggle running at quicker pace for tempo's, LT etc).
At the moment I think I'll go with the advice and take off 5 days or so and then resume the 18 week plan.

PVincent

Also you need to bear in mind that NEW YORK is a eriously tough marathon...one of the hardest courses ...so a PB is not easy there . Get plenty of hill work in as there are some serious drags in the route ...

Email me at petervincent@aviva.ie and I will send you a report I did on it in 2003 which will give you a decent snapshot of what to expect from the best marathon of them all

sideswipe

PVincent wrote: »

Also you need to bear in mind that NEW YORK is a eriously tough marathon...one of the hardest courses ...so a PB is not easy there . Get plenty of hill work in as there are some serious drags in the route ...

Email me at petervincent@aviva.ie and I will send you a report I did on it in 2003 which will give you a decent snapshot of what to expect from the best marathon of them all

Thanks Peter, pm sent.

I have heard NY is tough, I remember reading Krusty_Clowns report last year (must reread it) Is it that much tougher that Dublin?