How to choose a marathon training schedule

There are so many training schedules out there for runners that it can be hard to find out which one to choose. I have spent HOURS researching on line for different schedules to find out which one would suit me the best, and I have discovered a few things. 

The most important thing about training, is you need to find a schedule that fits you. We have heard it a million times, "Run your own race". Well the same applies to your training. Sometimes as runners we can get caught up in the numbers. Man we love our numbers. Your pace, your time, your distance and weekly miles, so much that we sometimes forget the joy of just running. 

First you have to find out your level of running. Is this your first marathon? Your second, your tenth? Cause that is going to make a huge difference. If you are not an experienced runner when it comes to longer distances, your going to have to find a beginners training plan. Even though in the beginning you may think only logging runs 4 times a week with 5 miles being your long run may not be a lot, but think of this time as a building period to get to accustomed to being on an actual training schedule. You will be thankful once you start to log your half marathon distances and up for the lighter load during the week. Trust me. The worst thing you can do in running is to do too much for YOUR body. 

If you are an experienced runner then the best way to find a training plan is to look at it. How many days are you able to commit to running? If you have a busy life, then you may want to find a schedule that allows 4 runs a week. If you can devote 6, then find a schedule that allows 5 days of running and 1 day of cross training. And look at the load. Some schedules have heavier weekly miles, such as 5 miles and up a day 4 of the runs and a long run. To me, that's a lot. But to someone else that may be comfortable. I like a schedule where there are 2 light days, 2 moderate days, and a long run, with 2 days off. I'm a busy person, so the 2 light days allows me to still run without exhausting myself too much. 

It can be hard to find a plan on line, because a lot of the links are for people trying to sell books or sell training plans. Which can be helpful if that is what you are looking for, but if you are just looking for the plan, with some great pointers, then I would recommend going to Hal Higdon's website and check out the plans on there. He has not only Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training plans, but 2 options for each one. He also has a few other options for more unconventional plans, like run/bike training plans. Very cool stuff. 

When I ran my first marathon I followed the Novice 1 plan on the website, now that I am onto my second I am doing the Intermediate 1 plan (below). I have been working on building strength and stamina by running consistently and now I'm ready to start building distance again!

Good luck and keep on running!

Marathon Training Schedule: Intermediate 1

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Cross	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	5 m pace	8
2	Cross	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	5 m run	9
3	Cross	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	5 m pace	6
4	Cross	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	6 m pace	11
5	Cross	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	6 m run	12
6	Cross	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	6 m pace	9
7	Cross	4 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	7 m pace	14
8	Cross	4 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	7 m run	15
9	Cross	4 m run	5 m run	4 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Mar
10	Cross	4 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	8 m pace	17
11	Cross	5 m run	8 m run	5 m run	Rest	8 m run	18
12	Cross	5 m run	5 m run	5 m run	Rest	8 m pace	13
13	Cross	5 m run	8 m run	5 m run	Rest	5 m pace	20
14	Cross	5 m run	5 m run	5 m run	Rest	8 m run	12
15	Cross	5 m run	8 m run	5 m run	Rest	5 m pace	20
16	Cross	5 m run	6 m run	5 m run	Rest	4 m pace	12
17	Cross	4 m run	5 m run	4 m run	Rest	3 m run	8
18	Cross	3 m run	4 m run	Rest	Rest	2 m run	Marathon