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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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* [[Pfitzinger| Pfitzinger's Advanced Marathoning]]
* [[Waitz| Waitz's Run your first marathon]]
If you've used a Marathon training plan in the past then please fill in the [[Marathon Survey]].
=The purpose of this comparison=
This comparison should not be used to choose a plan by itself. The goal is to provide you with some guidance around which plans are candidates so you can do further research. The comparison is also based on the plans themselves, not any supporting information such as the training methodology or other advice. This comparison does not attempt to be comprehensive review of all plans, but to cover a few of the most popular plans.
* [[Pfitzinger]]. Plans for experienced runners, including some high mileage plans with multiple runs per day.
* [[Waitz]]. Only a single, simple plan for first time marathon runners.
* [[Lydiard]]. Created for elite runners, these plans have a lot of hard running.
=The Will to Win=
As Juma Ikangaa said, "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." The plans below can work, but they are not guaranteed to produce success, as long distance running requires a big commitment of time and effort. It is vital to count the cost that this training requires; none of these plans will help you if you don't follow them.
** The [[Galloway]] plan could reduce your training stress significantly, but if you're not used to [[Walking Breaks]] you will have to ease into this gently. While walking may seem trivial compared with running, the transition between the two states can cause some unexpected stress.
** The [[Jack Daniels]] Plan A could be viable if you use it on three days a week, though the long runs are quite intense on this plan.
** The [[HansenHanson]] plan has found success with runners who have previously burned out on other plans, but it's unclear if it would be viable to swap that Hansen Hanson plan part way through a training cycle.
* Depending on the severity of your problem it may be better to give up on your chosen race, and restart your training cycle, targeting a later date.
=Tweaking the Plans=
* '''Longest Run'''. There is some controversy over the length of the longest [[Long Run]]. I believe that it is better to have a longer longest run as this provides better preparation. However, this is only true if you build up to these longer runs gradually enough that you can recover well. A [[Long Run]] that leaves you overly fatigued will not benefit you. It's better to reach the start line slightly undertrained, than injured or burned out.
=Suitability Comparison=
The table below gives some high level guidance as to the suitability for the different plans for different types of runner. In the table, the numbers 0-5 indicate suitability with 5 being more suitable. There is a lot of individual variability, so a plan that is marked low for a particular type of runner does not mean it won't work for anyone in that category, but it's less likely to be a good candidate. Likewise, a rating of 5 does not mean it will work, just it's a better candidate. As always, I'd like to hear from anyone that disagrees disagrees ;}
{{:Comparison of marathon training plans-suitability-table}}
* '''Beginner''': A first time marathon runner with no background in speedwork or hard racing at shorter distances.
