Thanks Ryan, This is so helpful! I don’t do over the distance (27 mile) workout, but you inspired me to do a 24 mile long run during this block, and have done two 23 milers which I’ve never done before! (And one of those 23 milers I ended up averaging my goal marathon pace!🤯) I’ve noticed great improvement in my MP after these workouts and just that confidence that you can dig deep when you need to! I had one question for you! My last marathon block had its ups and down, and unfortunately I got a flu with fever the day before my marathon… Of course, I had to cancel my race, but have only missed one day of running (the fever day) during the 3-4 days of sickness and am now finally trying to get back to it with more volume and intensity. I was able to do “Dr Jack Daniels” 20 + min threshold yesterday and think that I’ll be able to do regular intensity starting tomorrow… I’m supposed to run another marathon in about 4 weeks and hoping that residual fitness I’ve built during my build for canceled race, before the taper, would help and I’m thinking to up my mileage for the next 2 weeks before another 2 week taper for my Feb 24 marathon. Given that I’ve lost some fitness during those 2 weeks of taper, do you think I should try and do another 24 miler this Sunday to “refresh” my cardiovascular system? If so, would you recommend I run it about 20 secs/min slower than MP? Thanks again and thanks for inspiration!!
Thank you! I would suggest that the planned 24miles is too close to the marathon in all honesty. When I’m at my fittest and have been training really well and consistently I do my longest run about 40 days out from the marathon. I would just try to get back to feeling good at marathon pace, you don’t need to prove anything in training or rush to squeeze anything in that you may have missed due to sickness. No need for any more than 20 miles and save the 24miles for the next block!
Great video, very helpful! I’m planning to try some of these workouts. However, recovery from harder long runs is a concern for me. For example, I’ve discovered that a 27K long run at marathon pace is too much for me; a half marathon at that pace is my limit if I want to train effectively in the following week. Instead of following a weekly training cycle, I’m considering switching to a 10-day cycle to allow more time for recovery. Do you have experience with this approach or know of marathon runners who use it?
I think that whatever is going to let you get the training in is what’s going to be best. I know a few full time guys, a lot quicker than me, who “train when they’re ready and the weather suits”. I personally like my routine too much and stick with Tuesday/Friday sessions but if I need to go Tuesday/Saturday one week then it is what it is. Maybe try being a little more conservative on the paces. Marathon pace in Valencia in December isn’t necessarily marathon pace in the UK in February. Effort is key
Great video as always, some very interesting sessions. When I saw you do the 45k it tempted me for my next block. I’ve always wanted to do the full distance in training but didn’t know what sort of pace would be best, but your session was a good indicator I think! How do you feel about a 3x6k/20mins (6k ends up about 21km mins) @ fast end of threshold as a weekly session to include?
Always glad to hear I’ve provided some inspiration. It actually was really fun. I find 20s/mile slower than marathon pace to be the sweet spot where it’s quick but doesn’t feel too hard. That sounds like a really good, HM type session like the ones I was doing almost weekly in my build so would definitely recommend it as a really good session. Honestly, if you can get over the monotony and a need for comparison, I don’t see much wrong with a session you do weekly. As long as it’s targeting what you want to target on that day, hard work is hard work
I don’t think you can go wrong with the canal. If you head towards Kirkintilloch from the city centre it goes for as long as you need and is dead flat. It’s where I do all my big long run sessions
Thanks Ryan,
This is so helpful!
I don’t do over the distance (27 mile) workout, but you inspired me to do a 24 mile long run during this block, and have done two 23 milers which I’ve never done before! (And one of those 23 milers I ended up averaging my goal marathon pace!🤯)
I’ve noticed great improvement in my MP after these workouts and just that confidence that you can dig deep when you need to!
I had one question for you! My last marathon block had its ups and down, and unfortunately I got a flu with fever the day before my marathon… Of course, I had to cancel my race, but have only missed one day of running (the fever day) during the 3-4 days of sickness and am now finally trying to get back to it with more volume and intensity. I was able to do “Dr Jack Daniels” 20 + min threshold yesterday and think that I’ll be able to do regular intensity starting tomorrow…
I’m supposed to run another marathon in about 4 weeks and hoping that residual fitness I’ve built during my build for canceled race, before the taper, would help and I’m thinking to up my mileage for the next 2 weeks before another 2 week taper for my Feb 24 marathon.
Given that I’ve lost some fitness during those 2 weeks of taper, do you think I should try and do another 24 miler this Sunday to “refresh” my cardiovascular system? If so, would you recommend I run it about 20 secs/min slower than MP?
Thanks again and thanks for inspiration!!
Thank you! I would suggest that the planned 24miles is too close to the marathon in all honesty. When I’m at my fittest and have been training really well and consistently I do my longest run about 40 days out from the marathon. I would just try to get back to feeling good at marathon pace, you don’t need to prove anything in training or rush to squeeze anything in that you may have missed due to sickness. No need for any more than 20 miles and save the 24miles for the next block!
Thank you, Ryan!!! I’ll limit it to 20!👍🤞
solid sessions
Thank you!
Great sessions and advice. Ive always ran too much of the shorter faster stuff 👍
Thank you! Yeah the marathon is really far and you really have to prepare for it. I found that out the hard way in my first one 😬
Some great sessions and sensible advice in there Ryan. 25k at marathon pace is a good one and doesn't knacker you out too much!
Thank you! Yeah if you’re realistic with the pace it should be pretty manageable
Luv the accent!! ❤ from Sweden
Thank you!!
👍 I'll try this
Thx
You’re welcome! Enjoy!!
Great video, very helpful! I’m planning to try some of these workouts. However, recovery from harder long runs is a concern for me. For example, I’ve discovered that a 27K long run at marathon pace is too much for me; a half marathon at that pace is my limit if I want to train effectively in the following week.
Instead of following a weekly training cycle, I’m considering switching to a 10-day cycle to allow more time for recovery. Do you have experience with this approach or know of marathon runners who use it?
I think that whatever is going to let you get the training in is what’s going to be best. I know a few full time guys, a lot quicker than me, who “train when they’re ready and the weather suits”.
I personally like my routine too much and stick with Tuesday/Friday sessions but if I need to go Tuesday/Saturday one week then it is what it is.
Maybe try being a little more conservative on the paces. Marathon pace in Valencia in December isn’t necessarily marathon pace in the UK in February. Effort is key
@ Thanks for your advice Ryan, I appreciate it a lot!
Great video as always, some very interesting sessions. When I saw you do the 45k it tempted me for my next block. I’ve always wanted to do the full distance in training but didn’t know what sort of pace would be best, but your session was a good indicator I think! How do you feel about a 3x6k/20mins (6k ends up about 21km mins) @ fast end of threshold as a weekly session to include?
Always glad to hear I’ve provided some inspiration. It actually was really fun. I find 20s/mile slower than marathon pace to be the sweet spot where it’s quick but doesn’t feel too hard.
That sounds like a really good, HM type session like the ones I was doing almost weekly in my build so would definitely recommend it as a really good session. Honestly, if you can get over the monotony and a need for comparison, I don’t see much wrong with a session you do weekly. As long as it’s targeting what you want to target on that day, hard work is hard work
Anywhere you'd recommend for a 2 hour long run glasgow?
I don’t think you can go wrong with the canal. If you head towards Kirkintilloch from the city centre it goes for as long as you need and is dead flat. It’s where I do all my big long run sessions
What kind of machine is that on your right side?
It’s a microphone! Stops the echo when recording in a room with high ceilings!