Have you ever sat down at your calendar and gone “OMG, how is it that I only have 6 weeks left to train?” No? I mean, I’m notorious for running the random half marathon undertrained and I ran Marine Corps with a 5 week taper last fall, but I’ve ALWAYS done major training for the Mainly Marathons Series that I’ve done. Yet, here I sit, 6 weeks out from the start of 7 half marathons in 7 days and this is the first week in ages I’ve run more than 3 times in a week. Oops.
Thanks to RNR DC, UC Charlotte half, and tomorrow’s 17.75 race, I feel like I’ve got the ability to cover a half marathon again. So, now it’s time to get back on track with back to back runs and mileage building. It occurred to me that perhaps I should have a plan, so I’m going back to the Hansons Marathon Method. It got me through last fall, I have faith it will get me to the final finish line this spring. So, in the spirit of Friday Five with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia plus today’s topic of “fitness”, here are 5 reasons I’m using Hansons again.
- I need a plan. I’ve been a total slacker this winter. There are plenty of excuses, but really I just didn’t make it happen.
- I only have 6 weeks left and I really need to make them count. Every mile in Hansons serves a purpose.
- The runs are faster and the distances are shorter. With my kids and job, I don’t have time for a ton of long slow runs. I need to get it done quickly and move on with my day.
- I’m in a good place to pick up the plan a few weeks in. I’ve got a couple of decent long runs under my belt, so now it’s time to build the other days more.
- It worked for me for Center of the Nation. I successfully ran 6 half marathons in 6 days and felt pretty good (except for the bronchitis LOL) at the end. In fact, I ran every step of every race except for the short stops at the food table. I’d never done that before.
I’m looking forward to getting back on track. I need a bit more structure in my running life!
Happy Friday everyone! Good luck with any races you have this weekend…
I have been using the Galloway training plan for my marathon and I have loved the structure. I have never followed a training plan before, so faithfully. I know with Hansons you run a lot more but I don’t think I could fit more than 3 or 4 running days into my schedule.
Good luck !
I’ll be there tomorrow! Best of luck with your Hansons training.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Hanson’s. The mileage is too high for my cranky old feet tho! But my coach incorporated some of the key components into my training for my last 2 marathons, especially that cumulative fatigue…
Good luck this weekend!
I always follow a plan for longer races too cus I like the structure. Glad this one is working for you!
I need to up my commitment too. Seriously, I feel like I forgot how to run long distance. Since heart rate training has killed my ego this winter, I’m definitely struggling to get over myself and tackle any sort of distance. I want to commit to the half at ZOOMA but part of me is still hesitant to do it.
I haven’t tried Hansons but I don’t know if I can commit to 3-4 runs a week. I have to focus on strength still, but if I can get everything “fixed”, I may try it for a shorter distance.
I certainly don’t think anyone could define you as a slacker!! Good luck with the new plan
Hansons for the win! I just mapped out when I have to start marathon training – June 5th. I’m looking forward to it in a terrified kind of way 🙂
That’s amazing! 7 half marathons in 7 days!? Back-to-back races for a week!! Impressive. I’ve only done back-to-back half marathons once and it was only 2 of them. Happy and Successful training to YOU!!
You have an amazing race history with little training! #jealous Good luck this weekend!!
Good luck! I’ve followed a modified Hanson’s for both the marathon and half marathon (I only run 5 days) and I ran longer than 16 miles, and it still worked.
I have to follow a plan for longer races – I’m just no good left to my own devices. Good luck this weekend!
Good luck! I may be ready to look at training plans for the fall. I do fine with my haphazard approach, but might do better with targeted training runs. Can’t wait to hear about the 1775 too!
My friends who have tried the Hansons Method did well. I’ve switch to Run Less Run Faster this cycle, and I’m liking it so far.
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
This plan has obviously worked for you in the past so I would pick it back up again! Good luck to you Erika!