Would a 10K plan be useful?

MsE

I have just completed a 12 week half marathon training plan and have 10 weeks before I start a marathon training schedule. I wondered about following an 8 week 10K plan to get some speed in my legs but wondered whether the benefits would be lost when I begin my marathon training schedule.

An alternative would be for me to fill the 10 weeks with some base bike training and swim technique lessons as I am also doing a half ironman 10 weeks after the marathon. I am keen not to lose any speed or fitness however.

Any advice much appreciated!

Curly45

Have you done a marathon before?

If you have and still are maintaining longish runs of 16 miles + then do the10k plan

If you havent or havent maintained the distance work then I would recommend doing a bridging plan - part of the problem with most marathon plans is that they ramp up the distances too quickly!

MsE

Thanks Curly. No it'll be my first and that is exactly the sort of advice that is really useful as it will be a new experience doing long runs of more than 14 miles. I trained for London in 2002 and got up to 16 miles in training but not without ITB strain before a torn ACL ended my marathon plans. Am planning on following Hal Higdon's plan for advanced runners as although it'll be my first marathon, my mileage is currently somewhere around 55-65 miles a week. Do you have a plan you would recommend? I really like Hal's advice but am open to alternative suggestions from seasoned marathoners.

[Deleted User]

Advanced Marathoning' by Peter Pfitzinger is supposed to be really good and gets mentioned on here alot, it has plans for your sort of milage too.

MsE

Paul - I have just had a look and ordered that book. It looks right up my street! Thanks for the tip. Happy running! I actually think 10K training might be a waste now and will focus on some base bike training and swimming before marathon training commences.