Training Advice

Kz95

Hi All, looking for some advice.

For background, I have recently in the last 12 months run 2 marathons, just under 4 hrs for both.

I’m planning to run a half in September but crucially will only be running 3 times per week for a variety of reasons. (Middle age / kids etc)

I have an entry for another marathon 5 weeks after that half.

My question is; given my volume will be way down for the 12 weeks of prep for the half at 3x per week (compared to usual marathon training), do you think it’s then feasible to do a few long runs in that 5 week period post half and prep for full marathon?

just wondering opinions on reduced volume I guess

brick tamland

No Expert by any means and others might give you different advice………..

But Id just train for your marathon, follow that plan and do the long runs according to that plan and just run the half as your long run on that weekend it falls on. My half PB is from a mid marathon block effort with no specific HM training. The fitness will stand to you anyway.

Kz95

Thanks. This is the issue though; I’ll only be training for the first 12 weeks for a half: so won’t be half as much volume as first 12 weeks of a 16/17 week full marathon training block

marathon2022

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123450474#Comment_123450474

You've two marathons recently with good times so I reckon you have a decent base, low milage aside you should be able to go and enjoy the Marathon. My advise would be to give the half a lash, take two or three days rest and and if you can ramp up by about 20% volume per week for 4 ish weeks then taper over 10 days and go suck up the atmosphere of the full.

To be clear I'm not advocating this plan but this is what I would do to take the edge of the full on low volume

Say your only running 20 miles per week, then a back of a hand, post half training plan would look like, (most recent MP is 9.00 mins per mile)

20 miles first week (5 mile at MP in 10 mile long run, one session, the rest easy)

24 miles second week (8 mile at Marathon pace in a 12 mile long run, one session, the rest easy)

29 miles third week (10 mile at Marathon pace in a 15 mile long run, one session, easy)

35 miles week four (10 mile at Marathon pace in a 16 mile long run, one session, easy)

taper- no more than 20 miles, 8 at MP in the 10 days up to the Marathon

42 mile done

Even if you cant increase the volume after the half, you will still be able to get around, just take it very easy

Best of luck in the half.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058410164/training-advice

Obviously you'll get around. Enjoy it and leave the watch at home.