P + D training for VLM 2013

Hi Chris and welcome. You obviously have the speed for sub 3 and as you identify the endurance side will be the key. The first 20 you do will be tough but it is only a number and the next few will feel much easier and maybe aim for a duration long run or 2 to get used to time on feet. Get the endurance in and surely sub 3 will be yours. You've also proved your speed over the half with the 1.22 so i wouldn't worry about doing another; bigger picture etc.

Thanks both Marks. I have toyed with just settling for a 3.10 GFA goal as its my first crack at the marathon. But I kind of think, well if I'm doing all this training and putting all these miles in I may as well shoot big (even if I fail in the process). After reading the advice I'll probably step back on the training paces a little, especially as the next few weeks are just about to get quite intense. I think its going to be a case of reassessing nearer the time to see whats realistic - as I've learned from experience with the halves to date, any injury and its back to the drawing board!

Anyway, enough about me... How is everyone's recovery week going (for those on the 18/70). ?

I'm knackered.

Haha 15w, i've been dozing off sat here after tonights run and busy at work, very rock n roll! Hope your work worries sort out.

Chris think you got things well thought through. Slower pace on GA runs do help both in terms of slow muscle twitch fibres and keeping fresh for quality work. 

I swapped recovery (kind of) to last week ahead of a cancelled half and doing last weeks plan this week!

Not feeling too bad myself..I make sure the recovery days are really easy and run by HR all the time to make sure, if it tells me too 10 min mile I 10 min mile, then feel nice and fresh for the harder longer runs.

First time in 6 weeks I have ignored schedule today  A very easy 8.5 in 1 hour 18 tonight (instead of MLR 11miles ) all 70% method in that madness is I am doing this weeks LSR tomorrow with my club, schedule says 14 on Sunday but they are doing 16 and its about time I was sociable.

Lots to read back busy thread ...hope the weather doesn't stop anyone this weekend, some great running ans impressive paces going on

NP I was actually considering adding a couple of miles tomorrow..or maybe 4 to make it an extra 20..good idea or not  ?? as it meant to be a recovery week....I have run easy all week though..are a couple of extra 20s during the schedule beneficial or detrimental ?

My works worries were unfounded. Message to self - don't check work emails just before going to bed. Think I'll sleep well tonight. Hope so anyway.

Well I have a good few hours to kill before I go to work at 2.30 pm tomorrow, the run starts at 9, so 16 will be done in under 2 and half hours .. so I guess I have answered my own question....best get a decent sleep..

That all sounds like good plan NP, one thing i noticed when I first looked at the p&d schedule was that the long runs looked a bit light on mileage.

My original plan was to be doing 20+ every 3 weekends out of 4. Some runs might be a bit shorter when i do the long marathon paced runs though.

I think you are right about trying to toughen yourself up mentally before the race as well.

I remember Chrissie Wellington saying in an interview that its important to get used pushing yourself hard in training to the point where it really hurts, then when it gets tough in the race you dont panic because youve been there before.

Blimey - you lots are crazy. I'm sticking to the plan.

But where P&D schedules appear to lack in 20 milers they make up in lots of mid week and even friday MLRS..there aren't many if any schedules, that have you running well into double figures 3 time every week, so there are a lot of over all miles...just not sure if the extra 20s would have a negative affect on subsequent sessions..or not..

Hi All,

Just discovered this thread. After a long break after my last marathon attempt (last year was a write off from all running) I'm back into it and signed up for London. I've decided to give the P&D 55-70 programme a go but cut a couple weeks off the 18 week plan to make it fit. Currently on week 4 and managed to pick up a muscle strain from pushing the speed session a bit too hard. So unfortunately after 3 great weeks this week has been a disappointment. I was starting to think my body can't handle such high mileage and considering swapping one of the MLRs for a long cycle instead. Although reading quickly through the last couple of pages makes me wonder if i'm just pushing too hard in all of my runs including recovery runs. Will need to do some real thinking about how to proceed.

Anyway, looks like a very busy forum and looking forward to following everyone else's progress. Hope everyone's training is going well.

Cheers,

Alan

I agree on the lack of 20 and 20+ miles in the schedule, i'm adding to give a total of 8 before tapering with 2 at duration. Am convinced the more comfortable the 20 is ahead of race day the easier the last 6 will be.

Snowing really hard here now so morning planned run may have to be replanned. 

Forgot to say welcome Alan. Staying niggle free is very important at this stage and holding back on pace to stay injury free is the best bet as mileage ramps up.

Well if you lot are ..so will I 

Welcome Alan..yes slow down you should be able to absorb the extra miles at the right pace..

Welcome Alan!

Its been snowing quite heavy here for the last few hours and the ground is covered again.

Im totally fed up with this weather now, i tapered all week last week for a race that was cancelled, the plan this weekend was to do the marathon paced long run that i missed last week and it looks like that is out of the window now!

There's always the treadmill Mark 

Seriously though am also fed up with having to fix runs round the weather. Think the snow should have gone by Sunday round our way so maybe okay for the mp run then?