9/30/2010

Three Things Thursday - the 'mileage' post

Opinions wanted Three Things Thursday!

Three different marathon trainingschedules and their mileage:

1. The marathontraining.com schedule wants you to log 18-46 miles a week in their 18 week program, averaging 36-46 miles a week in the last couple of weeks of marathon training.

2. The Hal Higdon training program (http://www.halhigdon.com/) gives you a weekly mileage of 26-50 miles a week in their 18 week program, averaging 34-50 miles a week in the last couple of weeks of marathon training.

3. The schedule I use for this marathon training cycle. I downloaded it at http://www.runinfo.nl/, a Dutch running website. According to the schedule I need to run 26-48 miles a week during 16 weeks. In the peak weeks (7 weeks) I log 35-48 miles a week.



What's the question? Well, I'm an active visitor of the runnersworld.com forum, and in the 'New York Marathon training' section every single visitor talks about a weekly mileage of at least 50 miles (most of them are running 55 miles or more a week in their peak weeks). And most of them have their hopes set on running a 4:15 or 4:30 marathon. I'm aiming for 3:50, or at least sub 4 for New York. Makes a girl wonder whether or not she should log more miles to even make that goal. On the other hand, missing three runs (19 miles) last week due to laryngitis and seriously considering skipping tonight's 6 miler due to knee pain (after yesterday's intervals), I'm just not physically fit enough at this point to log 55 mile weeks.

What training schedule do you use? How crazy is your mileage?

13 comments:

T said...

Okay, hold up for a second: the only people who post their mileage over there are the ones who are running that much. You've seen my mileage totals. I was hoping to get up near 50 but I'm hovering in the 30-35 range and I'm cool with that. One of my friends set several PRs (including BQing twice) with the FIRST program, which only has you running 3x/week.

Silly Girl Running said...

@ T: T, Dear T, you're that voice in my mind that makes me feel good about myself again. :) I need to relax and enjoy that marathon. I will probably even perform better when relaxed and running 40-45 mile peak weeks, than being stressed out and running 55 mile peak weeks. I hope...

misszippy said...

You need to listen to your gut on this one...I typically get into the mid 50s/week and design my own programs. I think each person is different. A lot also depends on how many miles you have been logging leading up to this point (sick weeks not included). Feel free to email me if you want help figuring it out!

Silly Girl Running said...

@ MissZippy: Thanks! I already emailed you about it; that's an offer I can't refuse! :)

Emz said...

I'm with MissZ. I noticed that when I got into the high 50's low 60's - my bady/joints started crapping out on me. NOT worth it.

I try to stay around 44-50. :)

Silly Girl Running said...

@ Emz: OK, I'll stop freaking out now. ;) Thanks! ;) BTW...aren't you running a 100 miler? ;) Will your joints like you after that one? ;)

Anonymous said...

ive got no idea bc training plans confuse me. but id say if you start to feel run down or mentally over it, keep the mileage lower. i dont really know at all...
cant wait for nyc!

Silly Girl Running said...

@ skinnyrunner: LOL! Thanks, I guess. ;) Just a little over 5 weeks left till NYCM...seems like Yesterday that I registered for that thing!

Becka said...

I don't actually follow a plan, so I'm no help! I think that 40+ sounds reasonable? Just listen to your body is my best advice :D

Char said...

I've just been training for my first marathon and my biggest weeks were 45 miles. I'm pretty sure that'll be enough but ask me again in 10 days and I'll be definite then.

Silly Girl Running said...

@ Becka: Hahaha, you're no help. ;) I do try to listen to my body, but sometimes that's hard. ;)

Silly Girl Running said...

@ Char: I followed the same schedule for my first marathon and it worked out fine. However, that was a mountain marathon, so speed wasn't really an issue... Good luck on your marathon!

Publicaties said...

Do you need some interesting information about running? look at http://www.hardlopen-en-afvallen.nl

regards,
Robert-Jan