Notes on the columns
* '''Plan'''. I have generally used the last name of the primary author of the plan, except where the plan is better known by another name.
* '''Name'''. This is the name of the plan with the in the book, or in the case of Jack Daniels the parameters used to generate the plan.
* '''Long Run Speedwork. '''While some plans have the longer runs as steady easy continuous running, some include elements of speed work. This is typically sections of the long run where the pace is increased to marathon pace or faster. I believe that this type of speed work can be remarkably effective.
* '''Duration.''' The simple view of the duration of the plan is the number of weeks from start to finish, but this can be rather misleading. Many runners training for a marathon have a higher level of fitness than that required for the start of the plan. If a runner starts a plan that has several weeks of training at significantly below their current fitness level, they may actually become detrained. For example a runner who is used to running 12 mile long runs would not needed to begin at the start of the Jack Daniels "Plan A (4hours, 50miles/week)", but might be able to skip the first 12 weeks.
* '''# Runs 16+.''' I consider that the 16 mile mark defines the beginning of "the long run". While this is somewhat arbitrary on my part, I believe that counting the number of long runs that are 16 miles or more is a useful metric. The first run the diesel 16 miles or more is highlighted in green in the weekly section.
* '''# Runs 20+. '''There is some limited evidence that suggests that runs over 20 miles provide important adaptations for marathon running, and help prevent "hitting the wall". This column gives account of the number of runs that of 20 miles or more.