download hal higdon marathon training plan

Each one is very specific and targeted at improving a key element of your running fitness. The key to the success of the FIRST plan seems to be related to the nature of the 3 runs. Their method is based on a 3+2 schedule called “Run Less, Run faster”, not to be mistaken with “Train Less, Run Faster” because although you only run 3 times a week you are supposed to take part in some fairly energetic cross training on 2 other days in the week. It seems that even Boston qualifiers have achieved PRs using the FIRST method of 3 runs per week, and if it can work for someone at the top of their game its bound to do something for me. There is one schedule on the market that claims to increase the pace of anyone who sticks to the plan and that is FIRST from the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training. One of my overriding requirements for this marathon is that I’ve got to get faster – not fast, but I don’t want to be running around that course after 7 hours.

I accept that marathon training is supposed to be gruelling, the reward doesn’t come after a days pain but after 4 months of commitment and then a days pain but if there are alternatives I’m going to be tempted.įortunately there are alternatives and plenty of them. At my pace that’s a lot of my life to spend running. Hal Higdon has a series of well respected schedules available but they are relentless and require you to commit to 5 runs per week and a max weekly mileage of 44 for the intermediate program. While my body may well have been degenerating rapidly my mind has been busy researching training schedules and drawing up plans. I haven’t been resting on my laurels though. This really does not bode well for my marathon training plans. I can’t run without yelping and trying to do so has left me with a permanent limp. Now that I’ve more or less cleared my chest and started venturing back onto the treadmill or out for a Grid Run I find myself struck down once again, this time by a bolt to the back of the knee. Crossing the line at the end of the Great North run I felt elated, 10 mins later I was sick and feverish.Īny fitness I had in September disappeared over the next 5 weeks as I feebly battled a chest infection.

Download hal higdon marathon training plan