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My Marathon Training Plan

June 13, 2013 By: project30in201216 Comments

Now that I’ve committed to running the Richmond Marathon, I figured I should get myself on some sort of training schedule. I know that I have quite a bit of time before the race (it’s November 16th), so I was looking for a plan that would take that into consideration and that would encourage me to train smart. I stumbled across the most glorious resource! The New York Times Run Well Resource allows you to enter in the date of the race you are training for and then choose between 9 different plans, ranging from beginner to advanced. I am a fan of having “all the information” before I make a decision, so I loved being able to compare plans side by side. I ended up choosing “Run Your First Marathon” based on the book by Grete Waitz. I liked the symplicity of the program and the fact that I’m running 4x a week with this plan.

books

I chose to start my training on 6/10. But keep in mind, that since my race is so far away, the first 8 weeks are really just building weeks to get me to running 4x a week consistently. Of course, this hasn’t been a problem, since I’ve been running  a lot lately, but I liked the idea of going ahead and starting and having a goal. I am giving myself the flexibility to switch up the runs during these building weeks. For example, for the next 2 months, I’m to run a 3 mile run, 2 4 mile runs and 1 5 mile run each week. I will make some of those runs longer and slower and some of those runs shorter and faster. I think it’s important for me to have variety during this phase so that I don’t get bored. As long as I’m running 15-20 miles a week, I’ll be happy.

My “real” training begins August 5, and I have two races scheduled between now and the marathon. I’m running the Annapolis 10 Miler on August 25 and the Bull Run 1/2 Marathon on October 20. Once I get into the real meat of my training, I’ll post my plan here for anyone interested.

Are you running a marathon this fall? If so, have you started training? 


Comments

  1. Lisa Jones says

    June 13, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I ran the Richmond marathon last year. I really love their races. I’m running MCM in October and officially started my training this week though I do a lot of 1/2 marathons so my mileage has been at the 1/2 way point for a little while. Good luck with your training and enjoy Richmond!

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 13, 2013 at 9:28 am

      Thank you! I’m very excited about Richmond. Enjoy the MCM — I would’ve chosen that race, but I’m in a wedding that weekend. Have fun!

      Reply
  2. bananarun says

    June 13, 2013 at 7:44 am

    I am running the Chicago Marathon in October. This my first marathon too! I have been training for the past 3 weeks but before then I have done several half marathons. I am following one of Hal Higdon’s 18 week plan. Good luck on your running! Happy Running!

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 13, 2013 at 9:29 am

      That’s awesome. I was just in Chicago for work and had a couple of great runs. Good luck w/your training 🙂

      Reply
  3. amrtt says

    June 13, 2013 at 8:44 am

    I need to check that resource out. I would love to see your training plans for the 10 miler and half!
    Emma @ a mom runs this town

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 13, 2013 at 9:32 am

      Emma, you should totally check it out — it’s pretty awesome! Since my full marathon training will already be ongoing, I’m just plugging my 10 miler and 1/2 right into the schedule!

      Reply
  4. Stacey says

    June 13, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I’m running my first marathon in October, and training officially started last week! Running 15+ in this Virignia humidity won’t be easy!

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 13, 2013 at 10:56 am

      Woohoo for first marathons! This is the year of the marathon 🙂 Are you doing MCM?

      Reply
  5. Molto Vivace says

    June 13, 2013 at 11:08 am

    That sounds great – I will check out that resource you posted. I’ve run 2 marathon and for the first trained with a group in a beginner marathon program, and that was amazing to have a structure like that. The second time I used a Hal Higdon plan. Love having a plan and a goal!

    Reply
  6. runawaybridalplanner says

    June 13, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    I’ve got a lot of blogger friends running Richmond this year, from all I hear you are in for a great race!
    I’ve been on injury, but all signs are pointing towards running again soon! I look forward to slowly building the mileage up again soon, and getting in a few marathons later this fall myself:) (fingers crossed:)

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 14, 2013 at 7:42 am

      Yay! I hope your rest continues to go well and hope to read about you running again soon! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Emily says

    June 13, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    You are just like me! I recently signed up for my first half marathon, and THEN looked for a training schedule. I can’t wait to follow along on your journey !

    I also just wanted to see if you are posting the winner of the giveaway soon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 13, 2013 at 2:38 pm

      Yay! Good question — giveaway winner is being announced TOMORROW 🙂

      Reply
  8. Beth @ Read Hard Run Harder says

    June 13, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    What a great resource, now that I am doing a marathon this November (thanks to the encouragement from you amoung others) I need to pick a plan like yesterday

    Reply
    • Eat Pray Run, DC says

      June 14, 2013 at 7:43 am

      Awesome! Glad you signed up — which one did you choose?

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Marathon Training Plan pt ii | Eat Pray Run, DC says:
    June 25, 2013 at 7:37 am

    […] I wrote a little bit about my marathon training plan. I wanted to provide a bit more detail.  As you know, I’m using Grete Waitz’s Run […]

    Reply

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