Jeff Galloway's Run/Walk Marathon Training Plan

After completing the GNR in 2001 and 2002, and losing my mojo for a few years, I'm back on track and am aiming to complete my first marathon just before I turn big 4-0.

I'm currently able to run 11 miles and am confident that I'll be able to run/plod around the Liverpool Half Marathon at end of March 2011.

However, my next goal is the Mersey Marathon in October 2011.  I'm definately a plodder rather than an athlete, am built for comfort rather than speed and have little legs.  As I'm hoping that this will be the first of a number of marathons, my hope is to enjoy the experience/challenge without it being a complete trauma.  With this aim, I've just started reading Jeff Galloway's Marathon Training book and think I'll go for the 4.40hrs schedule.

I'm curious to know if any other Forumites have tried this, have any experiences to share or top tips.

Thanks very much

Well for my first marathon I followed the 4:00 program... ironically because it went up to the full distance.

In hindsight I think there were 3 main issues:

1. I was a novice & should have been doing a novice program (not much of an issue in your case from what you say) - by race day I was a bit tired & jaded
2. The program I did included no medium-length race-pace, race-practice runs (i.e you would build up to running 10 miles at the pace and in the exact way you propose to run the marathon, taking drinks @ same intervals, etc etc). I think to be properly prepared these are a big big help.
3. The long runs went over-distance. There's no need for this and it just tired me out.

So if I was making suggestions I'd say don't go over 20 miles for the long run, and do at least 4 runs where your pace, walk breaks, drink-taking etc is exactly as for your marathon plan... say 7,8,9,10 miles.

That's really helpful, thanks very much

I've used the Run-Walk method (Galloway's "Half Marathon You Can Do It" book) for the 2 half marathons that I've done, worked very well for me. I'm planing to do a marathon next year using the same method (probably New Forest Marathon in September). I'm aiming just to finish, which I think is a good idea for a first marathon.

As far as the long runs go, I'm intending to go up to 26 miles. The long runs are done 2 minutes per mile slower than you could do, so I'll probably be doing them at about 12 minutes per mile. The run / walk ratio for that probably means I'll run no more than 18 miles (plus 8 miles walking).

Thanks Tom, that's reassuring.  The pros/cons of running event distance before the big day is something I've been juggling as I've found it reassuring for 10Ks and HMs.

Best of luck with your training.