Another marathon training question - what to do?

  • Ok, so this is my typical training sched.

    Mon. Easy/Recover Run
    Tues. Cross/Weight Train
    Wed. Run
    Thurs. Cross/Weight Train
    Fri. Run
    Sat. Off
    Sun. Long Run

    I'm very happy with it and it works very well for me. My only problem is that something came up and I'm going to have to move my long run (which is 4 miles this week) to Saturday. Friday I'm supposed to run 3 miles and today is cross/weight training. Today is the only day I can weight train otherwise I probably would have just flip flopped today and Friday because I like the rest before the long run, but since I can't what should I do? I think these are my options.

    A) Today - light weight traing + 3 miles
    Friday - walk/recovery Run
    Saturaday - Long Run
    Sunday - walk/off
    B) Today - weight train only
    Friday - 3 miles
    Saturday - Long Run
    Sunday - walk/off

    I know, who really cares right, but I really want to get the best I can out of my training. Advice?
  • It really doesnt matter, either option works equally well. As you get more experience you'll figure out what you like for yourself. Many people run and lift on the same day, some save the lifting for light days.

    4 miles is not enough longer than your normal everyday runs to necessitate special rest around it.
  • Good point, I guess at this point in my training it doesn't really matter. If I was further along and my long run was going to be in the 9 mile ranger or something then I think it's deserve a little more thought.
  • My answer would probably be the same with a 9 miler. Off is not really necessary before a long run. Some actually find it a hinderance as they feel sluggish. Even a hard run the day before a long run can have a training benefit, although it might not be something to tackle the first time you run a new distance.

    Many of these questions are going to be ones that you can only answer for yourself, and that take some experience. Which is why, although I know that following a set plan is both useful and comforting the first go around, pay some attention and dont feel afraid to rearrange as needed. (really the worst that will happen is most likely a crappy run)

    This plan is set up on an alternating day schedule, one of the things to notice about yourself (and maybe this training cycle is not the time )is how long does DOMS or fatigue from a hard workout take to peak for you? Is it 24 hours or 48? Many people, and I am one of them do better with 2 hardish days in a row followed by 2 easier days. Fatigue for me doesnt hit for 2 days and I am prone to sluggishness from off days.

    Standard rule of thumb is within reason you can rearrange any days in your training schedule without much negative.