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Talkback: Ask the Expert: Marathon training with coach Steve Smythe

ron kennyron kenny
in Training

Hi

  not a marathon but a half do you think it is possible to do a half on 3 runs a week.

  Sunday run 9/11 miles@ 9 min per mile

  2 runs of 5/7 miles doing steady run (although I'veput mileage I do these 2 runs in km efforts warm up then each km@4 1/2 min effort 1-2 mins rec)

  I also bike to and from work 5 days a week 12 mile each day

      Thanks

       Ron 

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Comments

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    Is interval training the best way to get my speed up? I started running two and a half years ago. My best pace is 9.47 min miles. Time out from March 2012 -June 2012 due to a fractured fibula (tree root whilst running through woods) Had birsitis for around 3 months now but it feels like it is going. I would really love to be able to do an easy run, say 5 to 6 miles at 9min miles. Currently train as follows.

    Monday  Rest

    Tuesday 5ish miles including hills

    Wednesday  3.2 easy @ 10.25

    Thursday  30min track session, intervals plus 800m warm up + 800m cool down

    Friday  Rest

    Saturday  3.2 half uphill half down

    Sunday Just got back to 7miles flat and slow. Will be doing up to 10

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    What should be the feeding schedule during the  marathon sub 2:50 marathon run?
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  • Peter Fenn 2Peter Fenn 2
    What I've never quite understood, is how you can go from max 20-22 mile runs at 'marathon pace' plus 45 secs to 1 min per mile, to doing 26 miles at a significantly faster pace, having never experienced this in training?  Of course, the atmosphere on the day will push you further, etc, but should you not attempt a 'mock' marathon performance at least once beforehand, even if it takes a fair bit out of you and requires a week or 10 days of rest/light training?
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  • LEONARD PASSINGHAMLEONARD PASSINGHAM

    Hi Steve,

    I am running the Barcelona Marathon on the 17th March and then i am down to run the London Marathon (  as long i stay injury free ).

    What i would like to know what is the best way to train after the Barcelona marathon leading up to the London Marathon?

    I am a experience marathon runner and my PB is 2:38 but i have never done 2 marathons so close together.

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Hi Steve,iam 44 female ,running since three years,i would like to do a spring half marathon . i am doing my slow long running once a week and my best one is 10,33 in 1.45.i also do one sessions of interval running (20 minutes)at 8.45 as sprint.then I do a session with hills included and finally a middle run distance 5 miles at 9.25.my weekly mileage can vary from 15miles to 30 miles depend on time available.do you think can try the half marathon?thanks Conny
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    This is my question too!

     

    I experimented today by going bait quicker in LR.  

     Today I did my LR by doing 13 miles with a negative split with second half run at marathon pace (first half about 30-40 secs slower).  

     Is this a good proxy?  Good idea or not advisable? 

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    I should say my question is same as Peter Fenns about three up!

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  • Roger HylandRoger Hyland

    Hello Steve. I'm a 57 year old and I have been running for over 25 years before this was football, in 1991 I did my best London marathon in 2.39.53, half marathons were around 1.17, ten miles in 57 mins (oh those were the day's) my milage was up to 70mile a week then with sessions at Invicta Ek on Tuesday (Speedwork) hills Thursdays with fartlek and LSD also in the mix. I mainly run to keep fit running five times a week long run of 9 miles, some 400 or 800 on grass wednesday's with Heart rate running (150bpm) on other days my mileage is only about 25-28miles per week. My question is why could I run 7min pace easy back then but I now struggle to run 8 min pace now, is it really an age thing? I run on my own and don't race so I'm not really pushing myself against others. My 800's on grass are again Heart rate runs but I do them between 6.30 and 7 min pace this is the target I set myself. Can I get back to 7min miling or under if I raced again.

    Thanks

    Regards Roger Hyland.

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  • stephen turpiestephen turpie

    hi steve,

    i have been running now for about 3 years, i have pb's of 10k 38min, hm 1hr 22min, but when it comes to marathons i can't keep the pace up, 3hrs 15min is my pb, how often would i need to train, as on rest days i bike instead.

    i'm running abingdon marathon in october and want to give this one my big shot, with my pb times, would you think there is any chance i could get close to the 3hr mark

    thanks steve

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    Hi Steve,

    I'm a 38 years old male who recently took up running again. I ran quite a lot years ago, stopped for a few years (with the odd run here and there) and am considering running a marathon in april. 

    I've been running three to four times a week for 6 weeks now. I've run 10k in 41min and a scratch and 10 miles in 1h 09 min. What time do your think I should aim for in april? And is my frequency ok, or should I run 5 times a week in order to put down a time that's in accordance with my capacities. I've got a good basic fitness: HB in rest @ 44 bpm; strength exercises and stretching on regular basis.

    Thanks for your advice.

    Frédéric 

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