How does this look for a marathon training program? And motivation tips?

ncmc

I have been procrastinating and making excuses for years, but I have decided that next year is the year I am going to realise one of my lifes ambitions and run a marathon (thinking of Dublin marathon in Oct). I have been doing a fair bit of reading and looking up training programs online, and this one catches my eye as looking like a good program

http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_mile.html
http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_sch_2.html

What do you think, a good program to follow?

I am running 5-8k fairly easy at the moment, so should be ok for the first couple of weeks anyway!

Any tips on motivation? (I am reading the 'things people said that motivated you' thread with interest!) I haven't been the most motivated person in the past and can regularly let myself go weeks without running, just cos I couldn't be bothered. I love the feeling after a run and try and use this as a motivation to get out there, but I just am not a very motivated person in general in life. I really want to change this about myself, any tips? I was thinking of telling everyone my plans to make it harder to quit and maybe doing the marathon for charity to push me more. Any other hints?

RoyMcC

I approve of the insistence in building a base before tackling the programme proper. Too few programmes assume that the runner has an adequate base.

On the main programme the step-back weeks are interesting - almost a halving of the previous week's mileage. For a first-timer I'd say that is good thing and it will maintain your conditioning while giving your body a real break.

On motivation the programme stuck up on your fridge ought to be enough.

Good luck.

ger664

I used these programs for my first in 2009. They work very well if you have a reasonable base before hand. Just keep the long runs at a conversational pace and you will be okay.

The step back long runs are great and you get up to 20 miles quick enough and early enough in the program, also you will get away with replacing the 21 miler and the 22-23 miler with a 20 miler.

Oryx

Nike are right when it comes to motivation: Just Do It. Have your weekly plan, know what times you are out, make sure your kit is ready to go, and go on time every time. It will become habit after a while. Remember why you are doing it. Think of you goal. I always say to myself the training is putting strength into the body so you can take it back out on race day.

Chartsengrafs

The motivation of completing your first one should be enough, as Oryx says focus on your goal. If that's not enough there's probably nothing I or anyone else can say to you. You have to want it, simple as. You'll have the odd day where you won't feel like it but that should come later.

Git101

I couldn't find any reference to pace in the training plan. Have I missed it or are the runs at whatever pace you fancy?
The other thing that caught my eye was that for a low mileage plan hitting a 20 mile run 10 weeks out seems odd. Anyone know why?

Yeah, It's a good idea to tell everyone you know that you a running a marathon and maybe do some fund raising... makes it much harder to back out

ger664

Git101 wrote: »

I couldn't find any reference to pace in the training plan. Have I missed it or are the runs at whatever pace you fancy?

Just do them all easy.

Git101 wrote: »

The other thing that caught my eye was that for a low mileage plan hitting a 20 mile run 10 weeks out seems odd. Anyone know why?

The plans assumes you have a good running base i.e. you are current doing 35 miles/week with 10-12 mile LSR and its comfortable to you or have completed the mileage buildup schedule. Most other plans will not start week 1 with a 10 mile LSR, thus they have less time to get in 2-3 20 milers at the end before the taper.

The advantage I found with it was the 3 20+ mile runs are spread out over a longer time frame which allowed me the extra time to recovery between them.