Marathon Training Book

[Bikingmomof3]

In addition to the above Hal Higdon books/links, I also like The Runner's Handbook : The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners (2nd rev Edition) and The Competitive Runner's Handbook: The Bestselling Guide to Running 5Ks through Marathons both by Bob Glover and Shelly-Lynn Florence Glover.

I ordered these this past weekend, as a Christmas gift for myself.

[seychelle]

I ordered these this past weekend, as a Christmas gift for myself.

You'll like them. There's nothing better than giving yourself a present

[mcoleman]

When you are ready, there is an interesting article from Runners World magazine last year about a marathon training program with only 3 days of running per week. It is on their website under training plans. The idea is to cross train on other days at a high intensity and the running days are higher quality workouts. It is nice to be able to work biking and swimming, or whatever, into your training, but still focus on the running.
You still need a solid base before attempting a marathon, but I do think the cross training helps with injuries.

[lnewv5]

Thanks for the advice ladies! I definitely don't take it as too harsh - I look at it as trying to protect each other (or just me in this case) from potential injury and bad decisions.

I think I'm going to attempt training for the half marathon. I was looking last night at Hal Higdon's half marathon plan for novices and it definitely looked managable. And you all are right, it definitely is way too much of a stretch to attempt the complete marathon.

While I haven't been running as consistently, I've been doing cross training, and I like that Hal's program incorporates that into the program. The timeline is also right in line for what I would need instead of stretching it with the marathon.

Thanks all for your help. I know the half may seem like I'm stretching it too, but I'm at least going to try the training and see how it goes.

[Grog]

Good luck lnewv5! Listen to your body and everything will be fine! Enjoy!

[Tri Girl]

I think you've made a very sensible decision, Inewv5! The half is definitely not a stretch (at least I don't think so), and considering what you're currently running- it should be VERY do-able! I just finished the same Hal Higdon progam you're referring to, and it was quite managable (but, I guess it would've helped if I'd actually gotten in all the suggested runs ).

Good luck! And you know, you can always do the half early, then plan for a late fall/early winter marathon later in the year...