I received the latest Runner's World magezine and read their article about marathon training (see article online at: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120...1937-0,00.html) and I am curious for your feedback about their training schedule for rookie marathon runners?

In particular I would like your feedback regarding that fact that they have you doing easy runs, quality runs, tempo runs, cross training, and they only provide 1 rest day per week? Seems like a lot compared to the Portland Fit program.

The other reason I ask is because a lot of times after a run I feel like I can run longer or run on one of my days off. Sometimes I finish feeling like i can do more.

Thanks for your response.

-Joe Runner

There are a ton of different marathon training schedules. And a number of different plans for beginning runners. I'm sure others will weigh in on the topic, but here are my $0.02...

Since you've started the Portland Fit training program (and are just about half way through!), I would stick with it and *not* add more mileage. We have a proven training program, so we know it works. If you feel like you could run more, then it's working! You really start to dig yourself a hole if you finish feeling tired and spent. The biggest risk in adding more mileage is the increase risk of injury. It always stinks to injure yourself during training, but it's better to do it on your 2nd or 5th marathon than your first. So play it safe and stick with the USA FIT schedule.

Then, after you complete this season, try experimenting a bit. A lot of our returning alumni tweak their training schedule. But only after knowing what their bodies can do. That's the beauty of this sport -- you can continue to tweak and improve forever!

So take it easy, stay on course, and then start looking for ways to modify your schedule next season.

Good luck and stay fit,
John

Joe Runner,
I read the same article and noticed how short the training duration is before the actual event. 16 weeks?
John is dead on when he's saying...play is safe, stick to the plan....especially if it's your first. As mileage increases your body will enjoy the rest. IF you're still gung-ho after 10/7/07. Pick a marathon a few months after Portland and see how the program goes. You'll stay in shape and build off of what you started.

I'm guilty of some really pi$$ poor preparation for some of my marathons...especially when I didn't run w/ PFIT. Don't do it. It's amazing I even finished considering what I did to my body in the 5 weeks leading up to my first marathon. (8 miles was longestest run....).

What a lot of runners/members struggle with is this key difference:
PFIT wants you to do well AND have a good experience.
They don't want to use you up and spit you out. Some people focus on just the do well part. It's a trap.

A bad experience....and we could lose you. No one likes getting their a$$ kicked. The marathon does that. It knows if you're taking short cuts or over training. It's honest.

A good experience and you're like....Wow! I can do better what's next. So, the a$$ kicking wasn't as scary as you thought....you can handle this. OK now you're ready to experient a little and see what your body can do. Oh by the way...welcome to the club.

If anything PFIT creates a foundation that promotes life-long running. I believe most people run their 2nd marathon because they understand the distance better and know they can improve.

After my first one I retired and didn't want to exercise at all...ever again. I used the "I ran a marathon excuse through the holidays. I knew I'd have to run it again next spring when I gained all of my weight back +10lbs gratuity. Had I not gained the 30lbs I wouldn't have run it again. So I was lucky. Eventually...I become an AC in this group. I was the last person that would've thought I'd be on one. Luckily I am otherwise guys would still be chafing and not know where to put the BodyGlide.

Keep running. Try to create a specific goal/purpose for each workout.

I just want to second what Tony and John have said. The USA Fit program is designed to take a beginner across the finish line injury free. I've had a lot of runner friends question my mileage and many are surprised that we only do one 20-mile benchmark. But this program works and many, if not most, of our members come back again because the program was doable and they finished the marathon.

I spoke to one marathoner that went through another training program. She said, "I will never do this again. Ever." That was 4 years ago and to this day when you talk about marathons, she makes a face and says something about "...worst experience of my life." We don't want that for our members!!

So enjoy the journey and trust the program. It really does work!!

Train smart,
Sharon

Joe--

Each runner is responsible for his or her own training, and naturally it's up to you what you do. There are two approaches to your situation.

#1. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - You could count yourself lucky for feeling as good as you do and follow the program, making only minor tweaks. Talk to your color group coach and ACs on the clinic runs and get their advice at making minor tweaks re. speedwork and long runs. Based on your post, it sounds like this approach will assure you of arriving to the marathon start line, healthy and well prepared for a good marathon.

#2. "What does *this* button do?" - Those of you are are over 40 may recognize this as the punchline of a tasteless joke concerning the first NASA Space Shuttle disaster in the mid-1980s. The flight crew included the first teacher to go into space, Christa McAuliffe and without repeating the whole joke, I'll note that it made light of the idea that a space novice could makea seemingly-harmless-but-ultimately-catastrophic decision. Going this route, you could add more running days, more mileage and more intensity. You might wind up running the marathon faster, but you would be "going it alone" and running the risk of injury.

As for myself, in training for my first marathon, guess which approach I did? That's right, I did #2. For a couple months I improved dramatically, but then I began having minor knee pain. Within a couple weeks, I had full-blown IT band syndrome. As a result, I had to sit out the Hood-to-Coast Relay (I was probably the only team captain in the relay that year who didn't actually run) and had to cancel my entry in the Portland Marathon that year.

So hang in there with the USA FIT program this time around. Talk to your coaches and ACs, perhaps talk with Coach Eric Lewis regaring the CSS progam. Then when it comes to training for your next marathon, you can weigh the options of other programs.