As I say in my profile, I am a middle of the pack runner. I have moments of greatness (mostly in my mind) and have run some good 5K and 10K times in my past. But, when it comes to Marathons, my best is 4:25:03 at the Inaugural Arizona Rock & Roll Marathon. So, I am just your average runner out there just trying to get to the finish line.
I thought I would write a little something about my training methods. The first program I used when I ran my first marathon in 2000 was Dave Kuehls - 4 Months to A 4 Hour Marathon Book. It did what I needed it to do and that was teach me about distance training. In that program I ran 3 long runs of 20 miles including one 23 miler. It worked out well and I was able to reach my goal of finishing a marathon.
I read more and more about marathoning in various running magazines and websites. I wanted to find a way to train for a marathon that would allow me to improve my times. I ran another marathon using the Dave Kuehls method. I trained harder and did speedwork for the first time. However, my results were the same. I was within 5 minutes of my first marathon.
Then I decided I really wanted to run a marathon in under 4:30:00. I found a website (
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00index.htm) of someone I had read about in Runner's World -- Hal Higdon. I chose the Advanced Plan and did all of the workouts per the instructions on the website. I felt great when I got to Phoenix to run my sub 4:30:00 PR. It worked for me.
Since running the Arizona Rock & Roll Marathon, I have run 2 more (Suzuki Rock & Roll Marathon and the Marine Corps. Marathon). In both cases, my times were slower and I did not PR. I was using the same training method. But, I was not breaking through. I was not disocuraged though. I decided to look for a new training program that would not require as many 20 milers. I have found through reading other runner's blogs, websites, and listening to podcasts (Phedippidations is my personal fav) that you don't have to run 20 milers in your training to improve your time.
So, for my next marathon in Boston, I have decided to try the Hanson Brooks Moderate Consistent plan. I have been running the work outs from this plan for 3 weeks now. I am enjoying the challenge as I am running 6 miles 4 times during the week, a 3 mile run at an 8:30 per mile pace and then a long run of 8 - 10 miles. This is my base building period before I start the official 4 month program.
What I have found is that any number of programs will work for you. But, the key is that they have to fit into your personal life schedule. I have two kids (17 & 14), a beautiful wife and a full time job that puts me on the road several days each month. Therefore, I need a training program that is flexible. All of the programs I used in the past and the Hanson Brooks plans give me flexibility. This means that I will stick with them.
The real answer to the question of what is the best marathon training plan is simple...there isn't one. Whichever program you choose remember to stay healthy, build slowly, take days off, try to run at least one of your workouts at your goal pace and finally taper. If you can get to the starting line healthy and rested, the greater your chance of a marathon success.
