Training plan concerns.

Hello all,

when I was training for the marathon in 2010 I was running 10 miles before I started a training plan. I found this hard as I was already up to 10 miles then following the training plan I was back to running 3-6 miles runs for few weeks. Then when I tried a 10 miler it was so hard as I hadn't run 10 miles for a long time. 

The same is starting to happen now. Was running 6-7 miles few weeks ago and thought would start my training early. So been following training plan from the acceptance mag and not been running 6-7 miles. Then went out to do my long run today and felt rubbish. Felt so hard to just run 7 when a few weeks ago it was fairly easy........I mean easier!

I was going to get to 10 miles before new year then properly follow the training plan but I have my doubts now? 

Advice please runners!

Hi nurse 46

 How ya doing, i would'nt be concerned yet there is months to go , why don't you revert back to what you was training/running previously then when your training plan has hit the mileage you are doing continue with the plan. I run 3/4 times a week 3 sml runs followed by lsr at weekend ie 8/9/10 mls  depending how i feel, everyone has a shit run now n then don't worry yourself . I have never followed a training plan i just increase the weekly mileage slowly in the new year to suit myself, i will just keep the runs ticking over till then, but everyone has their own ideas and requirements ie training plans for target times etc, but you decide what suits you.

 Cheers Billyboy,

I'm curious: Did you reduce the run lengths but run more often, or did your weekly mileage decrease?

I would say it makes no sense to be decreasing (weekly) mileage just because your plan says so, but if your mileage has been constant, it is logical to find things more difficult as your body has to adapt to a different mix of runs.

In my opinion though, at the moment overall weekly mileage is much more important than the length of your long run.

Thanks for the replies both.

Biillyboy, that is how I trained for last marathon, just building up my weekly mileage on long runs until got to 20 miles. May have to revert to that.

laurentd, I have just checked and my weekly mileage has decreased following plan. I was running three 6-7 miles a week which was fine. Following the plan I have been running less than 20 miles and only managing to get out as much due to shifts. 

I will keep running my own runs up till Christmas then figure out a decent training plan from then on.

Good for you, that's settled then, let us know how you are doing in the new year.

 Cheers Billyboy.