Marathon Training Plan

ok, so im going to be controversial.  im training for a marathon and my race plan is simply to eat better and gradually increase my miles each week (increasing my long run on a sunday morning by 1 mile each week) and thats it, im fit and healthy at the moment and touch wood injury free.  Whenever i read these forums people stick to a very strict plan, running a certain amount on a certain day, eating certain foods. Im not bothered about my time, im running for charity and just want to get around in one piece.  I suppose my question is am I on a one track road to failure or can this actually work?

Nope it works! Just keep doing what your doing and mainly just listen to your body.

Use your body as your training plan, plans are too stict and get you hurt!

Hmm maybe im also being controversial? Then again I run in sandals so I was never going to be "normal" to begin with!! 

cardiosaurus.blogspot.com

Why NOT use a plan?  You don't have to stick to it rigidly, but it will guide you.

Are you planning to just keep increasing your long run my a mile a week up to 26 miles?

no upto 20-22 miles, and to be honest, i work 60+ hours a week and have a nagging girlfriend, I have to hit the gym/go our pounding the pavements wherever I can, my routes do vary, hills etc and I have done 4 10k races and have a half marathon in 2 weeks so im feeling fit and upto the challenge so i just guessed im doing ok as I am so why try to change it if you know what I mean?

Not controversial at all.

I'm running a marathon and I want to achieve the best possible result from the finite amount of time I can train.  I'm following a plan devised by respected coaches that makes sure I make the most of each session that I run, and benefit from their wealth of experience.  This plan did involve purchasing a book but was still cheaper than a pair of my running socks - others follow plans available freely on the internet.

My diet is, in my opinion, better than the UK average but not specifically tailored to marathon training.  I've read a few articles on "super" foods etc, but I just try to eat a varied diet and get my 5 fruit/veg a day.

Your plan may or may not work for you - but it doesn't sound like it will give you the maximum benefit from your training, so you probably wont achieve the best result from the effort that you put into it.  

I'm a bit puzzled why you wouldn't want to take advantage of the readily available expert knowledge that can help you become a better runner?  But its your choice ...

I followed a plan strictly for my first few marathons but after that I just winged it - however there is winging it and there is winging it. When I didn't know what I was doing, I like the safety net of using someone elses hard won knowledge. Why not benefit from their mistakes rather than replicating them yourself.

My 'no-plan' still involved me writing out the progression of Long Run mileages on the appropriate sundays on my calendar so that I could see that I had enough time to fit everything in that I wanted to do.  i.e. a gradual progression up to 20 and then 4 or 5 of those with back off weeks every now and again.

I run approx 8 minute miles, depending on how hard i push myself

Tom, whats your 10k and HM PB?

PS Apologies, re-read my original post and it sounded a bit pompous - I was just trying to explain that there's a wealth of information out there that can help you, but its up to you whether you heed it.

my 10k is 42.03 and ive got my first HM next weekend, no its fine all input is welcome, im just worry im not doing enough but i probably am.  i suppose my aim is to just get fit enough to actually do a marathon if i finish in 3 hours or 6 hours doesnt really matter too much

cougie wrote (see)

I doubt many people stick to a very strict plan. Its going to be a small percentage.

You need to adapt any plan to suit yourself. The better you train, the better the race experience is.

Training plans will help you on your way if you listen to the learnings of the years, apply them to your life and listen to your body.

And rid yourself of the nagging girlfriend.