Stepping it up a notch

Member

I just finished running the OKC Marathon last weekend and my next marathon isn't until November (OBX Marathon in Kitty Hawk, NC). So I have 27 weeks to train for a 3:45:00 time. I'm using Runner's World Smart Coach for the final 16 weeks of training and until then am just working on building up some speed on a few 5k and 10k races while still getting in about 30 miles/week running.

I'm thinking that what I'll do for the weeks prior to the 16 week start is use the Pfitzinger's 24 week 55/mile/week plan from week 24 until I reach week 16 to start the Smart Coach plan. Anyone else used two different running plans preparing for a marathon?

POTFH

I have never heard of either plan. To tell you the truth I just use what has worked for me in the past in terms of getting me to the fitness level I need to finish one. Now I need to find something to help increase my fitness so I can turn it up a notch myself and try and break 3:30.

Good Luck.

Member

And I thought of that. But the plan that has worked the best for me on the marathon level in the past has been Jeff Galloway. The only times I've gone under 4 hours (3 times once in Niagara Falls, Macon, GA and Oklahoma City respectively) was using his plan.

When running my full marathons all the way, I've been anywhere from 8 to 20 minutes slower when training the same way. If I don't get to 3:45 with this plan, which I have cut and pasted for myself based on my abilities and what seems to work without a high risk of injury to myself, I'll return to Galloway for the 2007 season.

If I do reach the 3:45 mark I'll continue using my cut and pasted plan for OKC in 2007 to try and break 3:35 which is my BQ mark. Although to be on the safe side I'll be training for a 3:25 to 3:30 time to give myself a little cushion.

Stepping it up a notch

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