Hi kacie tri-ing,

My plan actually calls for five 20-milers, but I'm cutting that down to four. I'm using FIRST (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training) Marathon Training Program. The long runs go like this (my adaptations in paren -- I started two weeks late):

Week:

16: 13 miles (13.15 done)

15: 15 miles (16.1 done)

14: 17 miles (18 done)

13: 20 miles (20 done)

12: 18 miles (16-18 planned)

11: 20 miles (20 planned)

10: 13 miles (DELETE)

9: 18 miles (18 planned -- maybe less)

8: 20 miles (DELETE)

7: 15 miles (1/2 marathon race planned)

6: 20 miles (20 planned)

5: 15 miles (15 planned)

4: 20 miles (20 planned)

3: 13 miles (13 planned)

2: 8-10 miles (8-10 planned)

Race

This may get re-vamped when I meet with the training coach next weekend. I'm finding that the weekday tempo and speedwork pacing is really hard on me (I've never done this before).

I have the four-bottle Nathan and each bottle holds 10 oz. I fill two with water and two with Accelerade. Over 15 miles and I've been going through all four bottles, plus a one or two re-filled bottles. Yesterday I could easily have done with at least two more. This is new for me, because when I was running for an hour or so I wouldn't take any fluids with me. Now it is a necessity!

Good luck to you!