I used the Jeff Galloway method when training for NYC '04. If you pick up his training book, it offers tons of different versions of training schedules to fit your life and goals. He also is a big proponent of taking walk breaks, which I found extremely helpful, good for your body and surprisingly good for your finishing time. I sort of tapered off the walk break thing by the time I was in marathon shape, but it was sooo great for someone like me who was injury prone and limited to training on concrete in New York. Good luck!

Caitlin-

I am using Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster Program. As someone who has had knee issues in the past, and also likes to do other things besides just running, this plan is perfect for me. It focuses on 3 runs a week, with cross training and rest days for the other days. Even though it is only 3 days a week, it is difficult, because you are doing one day of speed work, one tempo run, and one long run. I have been following it for over a month and am loving it. I bike on the days I am not running, and find that I am not getting burned out (like I have in the past) and my knees feel great because I am never running 2 days in a row. In June I ran a marathon and knocked 10 minutes off of my time from March and know it is because of this program.

Caitlin,

I've trained for four marathons (ran three and got hurt just weeks before the fourth–my fault, not the training plan's) and I used the Runners' World Smart Coach tool on their website (www.runnersworld.com) the last two times. I loved it. It takes into account your current skill level, your current mileage, and how hard and how long you want to train and comes up with a training plan for you. You can tweak it to meet your individual needs as well.

That being said, no matter what plan you choose, be prepared to tweak it to meet your needs. Plans are designed to meet the needs of large groups, not of individuals. I've never found a plan that I was able to follow to a T, but the Smart Coach program was the closest I got.

Good luck! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

I like the plan that KatieF mentioned, on the RW website — however, like she mentioned, it needs some seriously tweaking. You really need to play with a lot. I run fairly high mileage already, so the tool just redistributed my miles in a wonky way. On my first couple of tries, it had me doing 9-10 mile runs several days in a row (in addition to the long runs), which just isn't reasonable, imo.

I uses the NYC marathon training plan both the 1sttime marathoner and the casual plan for thearatjons I've ru. And found them to be the perfect fit. They have the traing plans on the marathon website, check it out.

erin – fox! 😉

Yeah, I would agree with the suggestion of 3 run days and 2 cross training days. There are a couple of training programs out that work this way. I was going to use the Run Less, Run Faster book, but it's a little advanced for me.

F-O-X! 😀

Just posted about latest Winter Park trip! 🙂

-Er

i am using the FIRST marathon program, three days of running but it includes one day of speed work, but maybe you can change that around. this will be my first marathon. i have the book that goes along with the FIRST program-they have a website as well. i have most of the program all written out on my blog some place if you are interested.

one thing you might like is all the cross training in the first program, swimming and biking

Just curious, did you add the salsa to the rice and beans? I couldn't see it in the picture.

I've trained with TNT and really liked it, but I'm using the plan from the latest issue of Runners World for my marathon at the end of October. I'll run 4-6 2x per week, XT 3 days and then do my long runs on Saturdays. I'll be posting my full plan later this week so check it outand let me know if you have questions about it. Whatever you decide, have FUN with it!!

My biggest piece of marathon-ing advice would be to focus on quality long runs. I think that running at least one 18-mile run and one 20-mile run before the big day is essential. Other than that, make sure to schedule rest days before and after running long. I'm pretty convinced that my IT band problems are a result of too much mileage, not enough rest. Good luck! You're going to have so much fun 🙂

I didn't use any particular method, but came up with a plan that worked for me and my reoccuring stress fracture:

1 long run/week, increasing distance for 3 weeks, then stepping back a few miles, then increasing

1 hill workout a week, along with a 3.5 mile run or so

1 medium run at a good pace (for you) 3- no more than 10 miles

1 day of hardcore cross training (I have a stationary bike so I would do an hour or more of that)

Plus arm strength workouts 3x a week

I would throw a track workout in once in awhile too. I met a man at a conference once who was an amazing runner who told me he never ran more than 4 days a week, and he had done hundreds of marathons. This worked for my last Boston, and I am currently applying it to my Newport Half training.

Good luck tomorrow! Can't wait to hear how it goes 🙂

I ran my first marathon in March and used a plan that my training group gave us. It was definitely based off of Hal Higdon's training schedule, working up to 20 miles a few weeks before the marathon and tapering! It worked great for me! Good luck! 🙂

THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT ADVICE!

Caitlin, I strongly suggest Tom Holland's book 'The Marathon Method'. I used it to train for my first half marathon, and am currently using it to train for the 2009 Chicago Marathon. I ran the half in 1:52 only running 3 days a week and staying injury free. His book is insightful, and his experience (countless marathons and Ironmans) AND advanced education have made me a believer. Good luck!

I used Runner's World Smart Coach for my last marathon in May and it had me running 4 days a week and cross-training another 2. Also I've heard a lot of people really like the FIRST program where you complete 3 quality runs a week (speed, tempo, long run) and fill in the other days with cross-training and weights or easy running. Good luck finding a plan that works for you!

I trained half following Hal Higdon's plan and half following the training plan Nike provided on their website for the marathon. I switched around runs to fit my schedule, and probably ran 4-5 days per week (usually took the day off before and after my long run). I generally focused mostly on the total weekly mileage, and worked 6-8 mile runs throughout the week (plus the long weekend run) to try and reach the designated miles per week. I didn't work in any type of interval or tempo training runs. I just went for distance.

Was I prepared? You betcha! Did I overdo it/overtrain? Yes, I'm pretty sure I did. So, looking back now, I'd recommend sticking to 4-7 mile runs throughout the week (mostly 6 or 7 miles, maybe one or two 4-5 mile runs). Listen to your body!! If you're exhausted, back off for a week and take it easy. But I'm sure you will be able to successfully train just by doing 3 base runs during the week, plus long run. It's really those long runs that you build up your endurance upon!

I'm currently training for the Chicago Marathon in October (my first!!) using a Jeff Galloway program (from his book 'Marathon! You Can Do it!'). It's 4 days a week with a long run every OTHER weekend (which REALLY helps me because I run slow and do NOT have 3 hours a weekend to dedicate to a long run every single weekend!). The weekday runs are fairly short. I trained for my first half with Hal, but I'm realizing that i have too many other things I want to do besides just running so I searched for another program that required less of a time commitment but still got results and Galloway is what i came up with! Best of luck!

P.S. You may want to think about looking into some training books at your local library. Mine had tons of them and allowed me to compare several programs for free!!

Have you tried smartcoach at ruuners world ? http://www.runnersworld.com/smartcoach

I like the training programs in Marathoning for Mortals by John "The Penguin" Bingham and Jenny Hadfield. I will be using their half marathon training program starting in November.

I used a FIRST plan for my june marathon and it was fantastic! it's only 3 days a week of running and 2 days of cross training, so it fits the tri training much easier. the long runs are still long, but only once a week. the other two runs are speedwork and a tempo run.

Hi Caitlin! I am using the program in the book The Non-Runner's Guide for Marathon Training by Dawn Dais. I picked it because it has me running 4 days a week and because it includes one 22 mile run–I wanted the longer distance because I think going from 22 to 26 miles seems like nothing, whereas going from 18 or 20 miles seems like a lot of distance. Let us know what you decide to use!

Hal has a new training program called "Novice 3" which only has you running 3 days a week.

Check it out.

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/novice3intro.htm

I just completed my first marathon with Team in Training. My chapter provided us with a training plan that worked well for me. I developed tendonitis by taking my long runs a bit too fast for my own good, but the coaches helped me adapt my schedule so that my training wasn't really effected.