Webchat with coach Steve Smythe

A date for your diary!

This Friday at 1pm (Jan 18) running coach Steve Smythe will be joining us for a live webchat here on the RW forum to discuss marathon training - in particular what you should be doing in January to make sure you're marathon fit for the spring.

Steve is the author of our marathon schedules here on RW and is currently coaching two of our Target 26.2-ers - Alex and Sarah - to success in our marathon project, ASICS Target 26.2. He has run more than 60 marathons himself with a PB of 2:29, and as a coach has helped marathon runners to British senior international level, British age group records and London Marathon age group wins.

Have you got a training question for Steve? Post your questions below.

why go for the asics schedules when his own are so much better

The 44 shown in the magazine are all white, possibly middle class and fairly evenly split between male and female. No problems with that, but not one is wearing glasses. Now that's interesting.

As a first-time marathon runner I would be grateful of any information on training  (only done 10k's so far). 

I am wearing glasses. That would explain why I haven't been selected!

More seriously, I have a question regarding the Long Slow Run. In the past, my longest one (just the one) had been about 2 hours 50 but I have been reading that there is no real benefit to go over 2:30

My reason for this long run is that I am going to be on the road for nearly 3 hours (less if possible) so I thought it would be useful to test the body over that period of time (but maybe it isn't).

Thanks. I will try to be there on Friday.

Hello Steve,

How would you suggest someone trains who hates training plans? Basically I just go out running as far or not as I feel like at the time and resent structure. And my dog comes too, so we sprint when we see a squirrel and we stop when we need a wee or a drink from a muddy puddle.

However, in opposition to that I'm pretty competitive when it comes to racing and do quite well, except in the marathon. My best half time is 1.28, yet my best marathon time is 1.25.

I really want to crack sub 3.15 this year and am going for the long run with my club when I'm able to.

How can I still make my other runs beneficial without them seeming structured?

I know, weird question but thanks

Kate

Hi,

I love reading magazines such as Runner's World, but get confused as to what bit of training is most important. I currently run 6 days a week, alternating between hard and easy. My hard include a long run, a Tempo run and interval work. However, I am endlessly told that hill work is good, to run on an empty stomach...etc and simply do not have time for all the stuff that I read about.

Howdo I gauge what to do AND enjoy reading running info?

OK- second question; I am about 4kg heavier than I want to be. Apparently to lose weight I should consume around 1250 kcal. I run 7-8 Miles on average a day-so use up at least 700...making my limit around 2000...I eat around 1400, not junk -but do not lose weight. What else should I monitor?

I am hypothyroid but take thyroxine and the dose is regularly checked.

Hi Steve

I started running in Sept 2012 to use it to cross train but & I love it to the point it has unexpectedly took over my life and has now become my priority hobby!. I run alone and with a running club ( I have just joined). I am currently training for my first Half Marathon in May and looking to aim at Marathon training also in the near future. I am female 5ft 1inch and since starting running 4months ago have lost 1 stone going from 9st 7lbs to 8st 7lbs which as a woman I am happy about but I more took this up to keep up with my fitness and I do feel the fittest I have ever been when on form!.Recently however I seem to have come down with colds, virus, chest infections, allergy & spots one after the other it could  be the time of year but I am wondering?. A man at my running club suggested my diet is not compensating for the amount of  training I do hence the weight loss and now my immune system is struggeling too?.I run 4 times a week following a half marathon programme ( 2 weeks in to it but I was doing 4-6 miles 3 or 4 times a week before) & I cross train with aeorobic kickboxing twice a week. I tend just to eat three meals a day sometimes with the odd snack. I have recently started taking a multivitamin & a vitamin C to help and I was wondering if you had any dietary advice, food suggestions/ amounts I should be eating whilst on this plan and what will help with immunity as illness obviously sets the running back.

Thanks, Furny

P.s. As a second job I also work night shifts twice a week which mean I sleep in the day the next day which I'm sure doesn't help but it doesn't feel a struggle!.

HI Steve, I need help!

I've been running 8 years and my PB in the mara is 2.47.44 at Amsterdam in 2011 after many close calls. I did this following the Pfitzinger & Douglas training strategy & plans. I subsequently got under 1.23 in half mara 38mins at 10k in March & April respectively last year so thought I was a stick on to go under 3hr at London but in that race faded in the last few miles and came in at 3hr 13secs. Since then things have taken a real downturn and times have gone up and up culminating in a disaster at Cologne mara in Oct where I hit the wall at mile 18 and had a death march the last 8 finishing in 3hr 15min

I just need to know where to go from here as feel my pace has suddenly gone and thought I'd found the 'magic' formula with P&D - I'm 45 years old and ran 2500 miles, and 3 marathons in 2012 - think I've maybe overdone the mileage or do you think there's any other reason for my demise?

Cheers,

Neil, Edinburgh.

Hi Steve,

I'll be 55 when I run the London Marathon in April & have been running now for about 5 years (prior to that I played squash & football). I run a couple of half marathons each year & my time has steadily gone up over the years from around 1:50 to 1:40. Hoping to better that 1:40PB in March. My last 10k, in 2012, was a PB of 43:50 (so you can see I'm just a 'steady' runner).

In 2009 I ran the marathon but got terrible calf cramps during the last 6 miles, & I couldn't shake it off. It stopped me doing anything but a very slow jog. So my time was 4:05, which I was disappointed with. I felt strong when I finished & I reckon sub 4 was easily within my capabilities had cramp not set in.

I would love to achieve a sub 3:30 this time but do you think if I go for that I might actually fade & fail to even get a sub 4 - a disaster for me!? Is 3:45 more realistic?

I only manage to run 3 or max 4 times a week (work, plus worries about old injuries!), so I'm loosely following the FIRST plan of a tempo run, an interval session, plus a long weekend run always at around 8:15mpm pace (14 miles OK last week, 15 miles due on Sunday). I'm trying to fit in cross training/weights/stability/flexibility on non-run days & lose the 4 or 5 lbs I'm overweight by.

2 key questions: 1. How do I avoid calf cramp again? (2009 was boiling hot, I drank loads of lucozade but should I take salt?). 2. I'm panicking now; seeing other weekly run mileages quoted. I probably don't run more than 30-35 miles a week. Am I bound to fail on that? (I'm worried ITB/calf injuries might resurface if I up the mileage).

Sorry, there is quite a lot of detail in there but I would really appreciate your advice, as I want to complete this marathon knowing I've done my absolute best.

Thanks,

Mike

Incidentally, is it obvious how to join the webchat tomorrow? I'm fairly new to Runners World site & haven't done a live webchat before..........

Food is my biggest problem, knowing what to eat each day, each week, each month, whilst training for the London Marathon in April,so any help would be fantastic Steve.

                                 Yours In Sport

                                                     Brian

Hi Mike

The webchat is just the same as the forum - Steve will come online at 1pm and answer your questions in this thread.

So keep an eye on this forum thread at 1pm - the thread will obviously stay up too.

Katie RW

Brian Banton - we will have a webchat with ASICS Pro Team nutritionist Ruth McKean in a few weeks, who'll be able to give you advice on nutrition during marathon training.

We will send you a message to let you know when this webchat takes place.

Katie RW

Hi Steve, I was lucky enough to be one of the Asics Bootcampers in November.  Having never done a marathon before it was news to me that I should be doing long slow runs - however I'm still not sure that I understand why they're beneficial.

Also, what should I be aiming to take with me (energy and fluid wise) on 12+ mile runs?

Thanks!! Helen.

UFO I have put my glasses on to answer the questions.