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Advanced Marathoning by P&D Any tried the schedules?

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Siamese Pete Oct 2008 11:52am, 8 Oct 2008 1,235 posts	Quote Pin Siamese Pete Bit of a marathon novice here and this issue of schedules and when to start is a tad confusing. I was looking at a sshh RW schedule of 20 weeks. But the first 9 weeks are pretty much what I would do anyway. It seems to me that for anyone wanting to do a approx 4 hr marathon needs to concentrate mainly on the long runs - the rest should just fall into place - or is this too simplistic?
Marts Oct 2008 12:09pm, 8 Oct 2008 2,735 posts	Quote Pin Marts Will be doing 18wk 55-70 mile schedule for FLM 2009. For me that's long enough to keep to a plan. Already I can see myself 'freestyling' it to fit in races I want to do. Previous 7 maras have all been based on a plan of 16-22 miles runs every 2 weeks with 12-16 mile runs on the weeks in between and other runs done around them (ie not at all structured) I'd like to have the discipline to stick to the plan but can see races looming in the distance that don't fit in.:)
B Rubble Oct 2008 12:26pm, 8 Oct 2008 501 posts	Quote Pin B Rubble There is a new edition, not available on Amazon yet but here's the synopsis: "This new edition has all the information readers need to train smarter, remain injury free and arrive on the start line ready to run the marathon of their life. Readers will learn how to complement their running workouts with strength, core, flexibility and form training; implement cutting-edge nutrition and hydration strategies and recovery techniques and taper properly to reach peak performance. It comes with easy-to-understand day-by-day training schedules for 18 and 12 week preparation for weekly distances of 55, 55 to 70, 70 to 85 and 85 plus miles. This book is simply the most comprehensive and efficient approach to marathoning." No mention of a 24 week schedule (or a 52 week one for that matter).
B Rubble Oct 2008 12:36pm, 8 Oct 2008 502 posts	Quote Pin B Rubble Looks like the new edition will be published in December, good for a spring marathon, see: humankinetics.com Happy Christmas!
Oct 2008 1:03pm, 8 Oct 2008 7,433 posts	Quote Pin SP - for anybody doing a marathon the most important factors (in order) is long runs, then building up medium distance runs, lactate threshold, and finally a sprinkling of faster stuff. Probably most of the schedules only the last 16-18 weeks are marathon specific, if you do a schedule longer than that it is just a kind of pre base building phase. Personally I would say 18 weeks if plenty provided you already put in a reasonable amount of running.
Homer Oct 2008 7:00pm, 8 Oct 2008 6,438 posts	Quote Pin Homer Siamese Pete - don't mean to spoil the P&D thread but your point about concentrating on long runs is sorta right....have a look at Hal Higdon Intermediate plans
paul a Oct 2008 7:14pm, 8 Oct 2008 1,363 posts	Quote Pin paul a Without meaning to sound dismissive of the slower runners, Advanced Marathoning (the clue is in the name) isn't really targeted at those on the 4 hr mark. That is not to say that by using AM you won't be excellently prepared (you will) but there may be discrepancies in what you expect in the schedules. JDL is right in his list of important factors, then LR and the midweek ML run are key, assisted by the LT and tempo sessions.
Impossible is Nothing Oct 2008 7:22pm, 8 Oct 2008 736 posts	Quote Pin Impossible is Nothing I think more that Advanced Marathoning isn't targeted at noobs doing their first one. If breaking 4 hours is a goal after more than one marathon then the advice in AM is certainly worth following, the only caution might be that the mileage targets would potentially lead to a lot of hours in a week's training for a 4 hour marathoner.
Oct 2008 7:26pm, 8 Oct 2008 7,477 posts	Quote Pin The schedules are also fairly hard work/aggressive, and as they are in miles as IIN says, the slower the runner the more time they will need. For example there are weeks when you are down for a 14 mile mid week run, which for say someone running at 10 min mile pace is going to take 2:20, purely from a time point of view it may be unfeasible to fit that in.
Paprika Oct 2008 11:09pm, 8 Oct 2008 4 posts	Quote Pin Paprika Thanks for your comments, there are some interesting points of view. Which I will take on board, I am reconsidering the need to start the schedule so early and thinking that over the xmas/new period with all the commitments I have on top of running, it may not be the time to stick to such a regimented schedule. I enjoy running, it is a hobby that I have done for many years and not a passing phase so the increase in mileage through the endurance phase should be ok without following a schedule. The one comment though, that I have to disagree with would be " Without meaning to sound dismissive of the slower runners, Advanced Marathoning (the clue is in the name) isn't really targeted at those on the 4 hr mark." As in the name Advance marathoning I persume that this is for anyone that has ran marathons before and now wants to aim to achieve their potential. No matter if its a 3.30 or a 4 hour marathon, the one thing I liked about the book was that it was based around scientific guidlines that encouraged people to understand the conceps of what makes a better runner and to achieve their own potential. This for me will near the four hour mark. I see nothing in the title stating "advance marathoning - only for the elte........?"