Marine Corps Training - Long Runs

If you follow this blog, you know that there are 30 runners from the greater Rocky Mount area that are entered in the Marine Corps Marathon. I will have a post coming shortly with the names of everyone. I realize we all will ultimately have our own unique training plans customized for our needs, but I still need to have some standard distances planned for the Saturday group runs. This will let everyone know what routes will be planned for each weekend.

Below are two training plans. I only listed the mid-week run and the weekend run, because these are the runs where people are most likely to run with a group. These run distances are based largely on the plans that we followed for Richmond in the past. Both plans are 20 weeks, have a gradual build up, and a three week taper.

Plan A - Starts with fewer base miles, and has one 20 mile run.
Plan B - Assumes a higher base of miles, and has three 20+ mile runs.

Both plans will prepare you for the marathon. Some of you may plan to do a hybrid of the two plans; some of you may run fewer miles than Plan A; some of you may run more than Plan B. . . Again, pick a plan that works well for you. This is only a guide for our weekend running routes.

The Marine Corps website has a Virtual Trainer that can help create a free 25-week plan. Runner's World has a Smart Coach that can also build a custom plan for your ability. (For what it is worth, Derek and Jeff H qualified for Boston following a Runner's World plan). There are marathon plans all over the internet.

Bottom line is find something that works for you. If you are serious about your training, you need to be ready to start logging the miles. June is a hot month, but it only gets warmer. Start things out on the right foot. . . don't get behind before you even start!