Putting in the miles

Well since my last post I have done a bit more study on marathon training schedules.  I'm leaning toward Pfitzinger (and Douglas).  Looking at Pfitz's 18/70 schedule. http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4432  I believe this is one that can get me to my goal.  However to even begin on this plan I need to increase my mileage to where I am running 50 miles a week for about a month.  So right now I have scheduled myself to run gradually increasing mileage for the next several weeks.  The last few weeks I have been running about 28 to 29 miles a week.  As you can see I have quite a ways to go to reach 50 miles a week. But I should be up to 40 by early July. 

Now Pfitz would have me run 6 days a week.  Looking at the FIRST schedule with its three runs a week makes for quite a contrast.  So I have half a mind to try and blend the two plans.  Maybe five runs a week with less recovery or "junk" miles as some would say.  Actually Hal Higdon's intermediate plans are five runs a week.  His advanced I and II are six days a week.  Pfitz seems to have a bit more detail when compared to Higdon's.  With Higdon's one day a week is hills and one day a week is at marathon goal pace, one day long run.  Around here there isn't much in the way of hills.  Nothing long and steep enough to qualify as a suitable place for hill training.  And I don't want to have to drive somewhere to find a good hill.  Fortunately Pfitz's schedule doesn't include hills.  However, Pfitz does have quite a few runs with 10 x 100m strides as well as a number of runs at 5K pace or other faster than marathon pace.  The FIRST plan has at one of its three weekly runs, intervals (track repeats).  These are of varying lengths, from 400 to 1600 meters, often mixing distances in a single workout.  Another day is a tempo run.  Pfitz has mostly 6 x 100 or 10 x 100 strides.  He does have a few intervals in the final six weeks of the plan.  So that will be easier to schedule I hope.  The challenge for me will be finding a track to run on.  Maybe I can find a group of runners with a connection to Bishop McGuiness High School.  They have a nice track.  OCU uses their track two or three days a week.  As to the 10 x 100 strides or 6 x 100 strides, I should be able to find a street in my neighborhood for that.  The average block length in my neighborhood is about 100 meters. 

Now if I want to modify Pfitz 18/70 the challenge will be what to cut.  Seems the recovery miles days often have speed work added in.  I may just tweak the miles a bit.   Anyway I have several weeks still to figure it out. 

Happy summer running to everyone!  Hope to see you June 30th at the Purcell Lake Run (Heart of Oklahoma). http://www.purcelllakerun.com/Purcell_Lake_Run/Home.html