Training for Marathon Series

[macinna]

Hi Lynda,

I've used your 100 km and 100 mi plans in the past good success.  I'm now planning to train for a Texas marathon series that takes place over the winter.  I was wondering if you could provide guidance on the best way to use your plans to train for a series rather than a specific single event.  

Here's what I was considering.  The longest of the races is 85 mi, on Jan 4.  It's a mix of single track and gravel, with the fastest guys finishing in about 4:45 (I'd be considerably slower).  There are two races before that event (Dec 7, Dec 21) and two after (Jan 18, Jan 27).  These other 4 races are much shorter (about 45-55 mi each).  My plan was to use one of your plans (maybe the 6-hr plan?), targeting to peak for the Jan 4 race.  I'd hope to use the races leading up to Jan 4 as part of my training.  Since the next two races are on the next two weekends following the target race, I'm hoping I will be able to maintain my fitness through those two weeks.

Is there a better way to think about this, and/or a plan that would work well?  Thanks!

Al 

[Lynda]

I recommend using your 100 km Mountain Bike Race – Personal Record Plan to train for this winter marathon series. Start the plan on 10/14 and follow it through to week #12 and a peak at your Jan 4th marathon. I recommend replacing week #8 with week #12 to fit your Dec 7th race into the plan nicely.

After your Jan 4th race repeat week #12 on all race weeks and week #11 on non-race weeks as below.

10/14/2013	1
10/21/2013	2
10/28/2013	3
11/4/2013	4
11/11/2013	5
11/18/2013	6
11/25/2013	7
12/2/2013	12	7th TX marathon
12/9/2013	9
12/16/2013	10	21st TX marathon
12/23/2013	11
12/30/2013	12	Jan 4 TX marathon 85 mi
1/6/2014	11
1/13/2014	12	18th TX marathon
1/20/2014	12	26th TX marathon

Have a great winter series.

Lynda

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