Interval Training for Marathon

topic posted Mon, April 30, 2007 - 8:40 PM by  Lumina
Hi All,
I have been running intervals in prep for the SF Marathon. I am currently running a 3:1 and have recently just completed 17 miles. I am wanting to run for longer intervals, perhaps a 4:1 or 5:2 because I really dig the whole runners high thing. I just don't know if I'll get the rush at all running intervals during the marathon but am concerned about running the entire time without giving my muscles a rest with walk every now and then...

any thoughts?
posted by:
Lumina
SF Bay Area
  • Re: Interval Training for Marathon

    Tue, May 1, 2007 - 7:51 AM
    By "intervals", I assume you mean the Galloway plan where you run for X minutes and then walk for Y throughout the race. To me, at least, "intervals" means something slightly different; namely, during training running harder than marathon pace and then jogging/walking for a break and then repeating that a few times. This form of interval gets you used to running faster, not necessarily longer.

    Disclaimer: I've never run a race with the Galloway strategy, but I've watched a lot of others use it successfully. I have run endless intervals of the sort I described above, and I swear by them.

    But for the Galloway plan, I'd say that if you're training to run it that way it would be nuts not to do the race that way. I don't know about "runner's high", but you'll be tired enough after 26.2 miles :^) I've seen some fairly decent runners doing the Galloway plan, so there's a lot of evidence that it's a good strategy.

    Are you training with a buddy who plans to run it the same way? That would be the best thing -- then you'd have somebody with you the whole time. Just be sure, if you are using the Galloway program, to start at the beginning. I know it feels weird to start walking after the race has been going for only 5 minutes or whatever, and the vast majority of the others are just doing a straight run, but if you start it 15 miles in, it won't help much.

    If you decide not to run the race that way, if I were you I'd probably change my training strategy right now to get used to running solid for longer periods of time.

    Good luck!
  • Re: Interval Training for Marathon

    Tue, May 1, 2007 - 10:03 PM
    I'd love to help... but I've been a competive distance runner for 27 years and I have no idea what you are talking about....
    what's a 3:1 5:2?
    If you want to run intervals for a marathon... I'd do the following:

    M - easy
    T - 10 mile race pace intervals...something like 5xmile at 10 mile pace - 400 jog
    W- easy
    T - easy
    F - 10 miles at marathon goal pace
    S - off
    S - long run 16- 20 miles

    If I don't have a clue to some new training terminology let me know...
  • Re: Interval Training for Marathon

    Thu, May 24, 2007 - 10:12 PM
    Below is my general plan. I haven't run a full marathon yet, but I ran a 1:06 half marathon off of this training.

    Sun: long run
    Mon: easy 40-60 min. Can add a second run of 30-40 min.
    Tues: AM: 30-40 min. PM: hard workout w/ 25-30 min warmup and cool down
    Wed: 14-16 up-tempo last few miles if feeling solid
    Thur: recovery; easy 1 or possibly 2 30-40 min runs for the day
    Fri: Same as Mon
    Sat: AM: 30-40. PM: hard workout w/ 25-30 min warmup and cool down

    Things to keep in mind:

    1. Run hard workouts in the flats, socks and shorts you plan on using in the main race/marathon to make sure there are no problems.
    2. Make sure you dial in your GU and liquids so there are no problems.

    Some examples of hard workouts:

    10-12 x 60 sec on/off at 3k/5k effort
    6-8 x 3 min on/2 off (or 1k's) at 10k/tempo
    4 x 2 mi w/ 1-2 min rec.
    5-6 x 5 min on/4 off (or 1600's) at 10k-tempo effort
    14-16 mi. w/ last 4 at tempo effort

    Long run on Sundays was anywhere from 17-22.


    Hope this helps.

    Crosby
    • Re: Interval Training for Marathon

      Sat, May 26, 2007 - 7:16 PM
      Wow, a 1:06 half! You must be a VERY good runner.

      For runner with less experience, I'd suggest building more rest into the week. I make sure I get at least 1 day with no workout at all. Ideally 2 consecutive days off, and as I a get closer to my race I'm trying to get 3 days off.

      A few things I've learned I'd like to share:
      -Any running at all creates a stress on your body. You get stronger during the rest period between stresses not on the days you are creating stress.
      -Your body adapts to stress over time, so unless there is variation in your workout your improvement slows down, stops and eventually reverses. Week to week your speed, distance, or stress/recovery ratio needs to be changing (but only play with one variable at a time)
      -workout intensity seems to be more important than duration. In the past I would always increase duration and I just kept getting slower and slower. Now my duration is around the same but I'm increasing intensity every week and I see much better results.

      Over the last year I've dropped a minute/mile from my pace. Over the past few months I've been going faster every week. I'm finally starting to catch up with people who were so much faster than me. I'm training for a triathlon and I typically have 3-4 run workouts a week.
      1 treadmill interval workout right after spinning. Surprisingly this has been a key tool because I go at it HARD and my legs don't feel sore the next day
      1 short run immediately after my hard cycling workout.
      1 trail run or tempo run. This is key for learning to hold a controlled pace over time.
      1 track interval workout. I go so fast here my legs are sore for 3 days or so.
  • Re: Interval Training for Marathon

    Mon, June 4, 2007 - 4:00 PM
    The best interval program for Marathon in my mind, and assuming you have done the distance is the Yasso 800

    if you want to do a 3 hr marathon do 3 minute 800's, with a 3 minute rest. If you want to do a 2:30 marathon, do 2:30 800's with a 2:30 rest.

    start out with 4-6 and add a couple each week. Work up to 12-16 depending on how much time you have.

    I used this method successfully when I wanted to break 2:30, I worked up to 16 reps with my last hard workout 3 weeks before the marathon.

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