Abingdon Marathon

 JP, doesnt sound that far away really!

Nice long run done Saturday 19m, farthest ive been for about 15 months. Plan is a few long runs early doors so can then have a bit of a play around with them later on.

Hows the recoveries going Warren and CFB?

Mee Meep - thanks for asking -I managed a total of 26 miles last week - all at a painful shuffle (at or outside 9min/mile) - I've also had a couple of easy swims (the only kind I do), and did a decent MTB ride at the weekend. Rest day today. So I've stuck a 6 miler in this evening , and the legs are COMING BACK! Ran a little bit harder at around 8:30s. Well, the sun was out and the lakes looked gorgeous!

Knee is bothering me a little so haven't run since an easy 10km on Sunday. Might try and do a few easy miles tonight. Have to start proper training next week!

Good long run there mee meep.

Warren - take it easy there. You have plenty of time so no need to rush into full training if your not 100%.

Meep - good long run. Has been a bit warm here in Essex for the last few days, so glad I have did not had to do more than 2 hours on the weekend.

8 miles yesterday morning for me, 7 1/2 miles this morning, club track session tomorrow evening.

Hi all,

Am doing the Abingdon marathon for the first time (3rd marathon) and seeking some general training advice.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to merge a half marathon / marathon training plan as I have only just realised that my half marathon (Bristol) in the lead up to Abingdon is only 3 weeks prior (former a bit later this year, hence not much of a gap).

(Previous marathons, I have had more time to merge from a half plan to marathon plan).

Thought about starting and finishing the marathon plan with the half marathon being the normal 'race day' of the marathon plan, i.e.the next week after the taper ends, and then a 12 and 8 miler (for example) in subsequent weeks and then marathon.

Am OK with treating the half with a slower time than normal, but is anyone aware of any specific plans for this scenario or advice on whether this sounds credible, much appreciated.

Steve

Steve - Welcome, I would keep to your plan for the mara and  race the HM, I know some people will say it is too close to the mara to race but I don't think so.  What plan are you going to follow and how does the HM fit in with that?  My HM PB's have come during mara training.  I'm following Furman which calls for a 13 mile run 2 weeks before Abo so I'm planning to do Cricklade HM that day.

Steve - what BB says - I have run 3 Abingdons, and have also run Windsor Half 3 weeks before and Henley Half one week before every time - if you've got the miles in your legs a half 3 weeks before should be quick - Each time I have done Henley I've done it at planned marathon pace rather than  racing, then taken a couple of days rest.

caveat - I don't follow any real training plan, I just run what feels good

No scientific info to back up what i say, but i wouldnt race a half marathon 3 weeks out, it may well be perfectly alright to do so but if we are doing such a big build up towards a goal race why jeopardise it even the slightest? Perhaps it wouldnt though

Bet you didnt run up Henley hill at MP CFB!

Meep - hehehe  - I think that particular mile lasted about 9½ minutes last year

Welcome Steve, I would agree with what has been said, in my experience the best half marathon training is following a marathon training plan. Most of my best HM times (incl PB) has come within 1 to 2 mouths of my planned marathon.

I am planning to run a HM 4 weeks prior to Abo, and still undicided whether to do this flat out or at MP (with miles added on beforehand). If it was 3 weeks before Abo, I would not even consider running it flat out.

Anyone racing this weekend? I have around 15 miles planned for Sunday. 

Hi Everyone. Just back from a week in cornwall. Was lovely to run a few coastal paths and just enjoy the jog and scenary. The cream teas, ice crea, fish and chips have not helped though and I am at least a stone heavier than i neeed/plan to be on the start line. With that in Mind I though I best get going with the training for abingdon and ran 18.6 Miles today. All very slow and it was quite tough but at least its one long run on the chart. 16 or 17 weeks to go - something like that. training starts now !!! ( For me ) 

AC, enjoy your 15 tomorrow. 

Welcome steve. Good luck with training. I agree with the comments made by barry et al. A marathon plan will sort you for both. You probably do need to decide whats your target race though - the half or the marathon. 

I hope everyone is injury free going into their training plans???

I'm running Abingdon and am entered for Notts half 3 weeks out. I've spoken to various people from my club and other clubs and also asked Steve Smythe on here. Steve says he likes to race a half 3 weeks out for sharpness and just makes sure he has a few easy days before and after. I also have a few mates from other clubs who race halfs 3 weeks out with no issue. Comes down to the individual, how well trained you are and how well you recover. If I run Notts (50/50 really) I'll race it but as studying might stop me from racing it'll probably be: 24 miles 5 weeks out, 20-21 4 weeks out and then a 23 3 weeks out.

Currently training for 10ks and the Milton Keynes half so sunday runs since April have been 16-18 miles and regular track work/tempo stuff. Will start training for Abingdon week ending the 22nd July. 5 weeks training either side of a week treking in the Alps and then a 3 week taper. Looking forward to Abo

Welcome RS78. It sounds like if your Sunday runs are currently 16-18 miles, then training for Abo should not represent that much of a step up. Have you a target for Abo?

AGF - good 18.6 miles there.

Nice steady 15 miles for me in light drizzle this morning (7.59 av pace). A little windy, but beats the hot weather of last weekend.

Aching C - I don't really have a target as such. I ran 2.58 in Amsterdam in 2010 but had a bad day at the office in London last year and came in in 3.00.16 having run a 1.20.06 in Fleet half 4 weeks before. I just want a solid/enjoyable mara performance but I guess I'll be looking at around 6.30 pace (which may be adjusted "either way" as training progresses). Had some good consistency of late and Milton Keynes half in two weeks will give me an idea of where I'm at going into Abo training.

What are you aiming at?

Just to add more fuel to the HM too close to the mara debate.  My Mara PB(3:16) came after running a 1:28 HM the week before.  HM was a test for to see if I could run mara as I had been injured for the previous 6 weeks.  But it has been pointed out I might have run a quicker Mara if I had n't raced the HM.

Steve - Abo target to be set closer to the date but as ever probably looking for 3:15.

RS78 - as regards what I aiming at, is a very good question. I will decide when I have completed the Grunty Fenn half marathon in early September, however it seems it could be anything from sub 3:15 to 3:29.59. It really depends on how the training goes, and whether any injuries arise. My pb is 3:14 set in 2009, and since achieved 3:17 & 3:19 at Abo, however my last marathon in May 2012 after an injury blighted build up was 3:29.

Hope everyone else's weekend runs went well.

Anyone got a race this weekend?

Up at 6 for another 18 in the morning, any other long runs planned if no races?

17-18 XC today.