There hasn’t been any talk of training in a long time on this blog, so I wanted to change that today. Some of you may know that Rob (my husband) is training for the Cleveland Marathon on May 21st. He asked me to write him a training plan and coach him (meaning not let him slack on his training!) I thought it would be fun to share a little insight into what his training has looked like so far and how it’s going. Here’s a recap of Cleveland Marathon Training Weeks 1-4.
Cleveland Marathon Training Weeks 1-4:
This is an 18 week training plan so I wanted the first month to be easy with low mileage, and workouts that just got his legs used to moving fast again since he hasn’t trained for a race in over a year. (The first week was in a weird order because we were off for MLK day so figured he would do his harder run that day). I think a reasonable goal pace is around 8:30 but we will be assessing and revising as his training progresses.
Rob likes to run faster than what is “comfortable” so I really wanted to slow him down and get him to keep those easy runs easy. Also, I think he would often run his long runs at a hard pace which made it difficult to recover effectively. We decided to include 2 days of cross-training on the bike for now, rather than adding in another easy run.
I asked Rob to share some insight into how the first month of training has gone:
Unfortunately, for all of you expecting a really well written post you got me. Lisa asked me to give everyone an update on training for the Cleveland Marathon.
So here’s why I asked Lisa for help on this one: I’ve run 4 marathons and things go great until around mile 16-21..then those last miles are a real struggle. I’ve vowed after all of those races I would never race another marathon….and yet here we go again. The biggest reason behind these marathon collapses are a lack of training….when racing anything from a 5K to a half marathon I’ve found plenty of ways to cut corners on a way to a new PR. If you want to know what it looks like to cut corners on a marathon training plan see the photos below.
Soooo…I sucked up my pride and asked for help. My goal is to run under 4 hours (I’ve run a 4:10, 4:39, 4:08, and 4:53)
Cleveland Marathon Training Progress Weeks 1-4
The good news is that we are 4 weeks in and I’ve hit all of the targets, have not skipped any workouts, and have been able to wear plenty of my reflective gear that I got for Christmas. The bad news is that there is about 3 months left until race day.
The mileage plan is probably a bit lower than most do for their marathon training, but usually I end up dealing with foot pain at some point during the training cycle so hopefully with the lower mileage plan I will avoid that pain and Lisa will avoid hearing me complain about my foot pain.
The workout I like the least is on Wednesday. It’s X amount of time on a bike and then lower body/core. I can’t say why I exactly dislike it the most. My other bike day is on Sunday with upper body/core and I don’t mind that at all.
The mileage and long runs have been fine, but the longest run I’ve had is still only 12 miles. I know that it’s still early to be too confident in completing all of the workouts at this point.
Lisa asked me to give myself a grade and feel like so far a B+ is fair. If I can say most of the same things 3 months from now I’ll feel like I’m in the A range. I still think it’s a bit too early in the training plan to be patting myself on the back here.
Lisa here again: From my perspective, this is the longest he has been 100% consistent with following a training plan. Actually I think this may be his first time following a training plan- so I will call that a win.
P.S. What is the deal with foot injuries in our house?!
Have you ever coached a significant other for a race?
Have you ever trained for a marathon using a low mileage training plan?
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ha, i was wondering what the deal was with foot pain in your house! maybe sympathy pains lol. I haven’t trained for a marathon but I bet that training on lower quality mileage with crosstraining can be just as effective and keep you from burning out or getting injured.
I do think it will be better for him to train this way. I think he will end up running more than when he planned to run higher mileage and then ended up skipping runs or getting hurt.
GO ROB GO!
I was so confused when I saw the title. I was like… um, since when are you running a marathon??
I’ve attempted to help Alex. He doesn’t listen. I gave up.
Haha, it’s not for everyone. It took him 4 marathons to decide he wanted help.
This is so interesting. I’d say if he stays consistent and does his workouts, he’s going to have a much better race! I’ve only ever trained with low mileage plans. The one time I tried to up my game with a Pfitz plan, I was injured pretty quickly. I haven’t coached a significant other before. It’s going to be so gratifying to see your husband do well!
Low mileage plans are alot safer, especially for those of us who get injured all the time!
That’s great that you are giving him a training plan. So far it sounds like everything is going well and you guys are still getting along during this right? Should I ask again when you up the mileage for him…haha. When I am training for a marathon. I normally do not do more than one 20 miler in a training cycle. I think just running more consistently is key than running high mileage.
Haha yea we will see what happens when the mileage gets higher and workouts get harder!
That is great how consistent he’s been in training thanks to you! I will be coaching Ryan for his first half this summer. We’ll be doing half of the training runs together so it should be a fun experience! I hope Rob’s training continues to go well!
That should be fun! I do wish I was training with him, but at least I can be a part of his training.
Looks like a good training plan that works with your strengths and weaknesses. Good luck with it – hopefully no foot pain will arise and mile 25 will be awesome.
I hope not too!
Oh, I’ve attempted to coach the husband…and he listens, but does not always follow my “suggestions.” He has a lot more natural athletic ability than I do, so he can skip a training run here or there (or several) and still do ok. Currently, we have a 10K happening in a month, and he has not had running shoes on since August. I’m about ready to attach our dog’s leash around his neck and drag him outside with me….#staytuned
It sounds like our husbands that very similar training styles! We will see what happens as the mileage gets higher…
I think that’s wonderful that you’re coaching Rob for his marathon! He clearly is off to a great start 🙂 I would love to work with my boyfriend for a race…he never follows a training plan but always does extremely well. I think he could do even better!
Why does it come so easily to guys?! It seems like they dont have to put much effort into their training.
First Kristina now you, I feel like all the blogs are getting some dudeness lol. I’m so glad you shared this, I have the same problem as Rob. Half Marathon is my sweet spot. Anything over 15 miles I start cramping. I’m working on some different solutions but overall my body needs to get used to the effort over that distance. Work in progress. Hope Rob sticks around.
It can be tricky! He does really well in the half and then crashes when it comes to the full. Im trying to get him to be more comfortable with running slow so that he can be more consistent.
Sounds like Rob’s got a great coach! Just keep smiling. It dulls the pain.
Haha yes!
I think it’s amazing that you guys can work together in a coach/coachee relationship. I don’t think that would go over well here. Best of luck to you both through this training cycle!
Thank you! Hopefully he will let me keep helping him through the entire 18 weeks:)
My husband does not run, so no coaching here. I would love it if he did run!
Maybe it will eventually rub off and he will give it a try!
i love that your husband is letting you train him! I tried it a while back to train my hubs w his 5k it did not go well lol. He is not a runner. Your husband seems very motivated to achieve his goals. Like how you modified his plan to head of foot pain. Good luck to both of you and keep us posted
Rob is very competitive so I think its been driving him crazy that he cant do as well as he should be able to in the marathon.
How much fun and wonderful that you are coaching him! It sounds like a solid plan and hopefully the teamwork can get it done finally– so close to breaking 4!! (I’m over from the linkup today!!)
Thanks! I definitely think he can break 4 hours based on his other races times…as long as he trains consistently!
I did think that when he mentioned foot pain! I hope it’s not contagious. Sounds like the first month was a success. Good luck with the remaining months.
If it is contagious I blame him because he started having foot pain years ago….
My husband doesn’t run, so there will be no training here! But I am actually training to run my FIRST marathon that same day here in Green Bay! Training has been… yup. It’s been. But starting next week it’s time to dial it in! First meeting with my trainer! Can’t wait to follow the journey!
Good luck with your training! You still have plenty of time to prepare.
You both really do have a foot pain problem! I hope though that it continues to get better and less of a problem1 Its a good thing your husband has been more consistent with following your training plan… or just a plan in general!
Thanks! Yep, its definitely been going pretty well so far.
My husband won’t let me coach him. Opposites attract but damn are we both stubborn! 😉
Sounds like Rob is doing a great job!
Haha yea, well it took Rob 4 years and 4 marathons to decide to let me coach him!
It’s always fascinating to me to see how others train. I have my beginner marathon group on a low-ish mileage training plan, because the goal is a) finish, and b) injury free. That said, they run 4 days a week instead of 3!
I definitely think the goal is to finish injury free! Im hoping that the lower mileage with some cross training will work out well.
I wish my boyfriend ran! I’ve mixed up the Hal Higdon marathon plan and the Jeff Galloway method for my first marathon. I’ll be running 4 days a week (instead of 5 like Hal suggests or 3 like Jeff does) and I’ll top out my long run at 22-23 miles (rather than 20 like Hal says or 26 like Jeff does). I think this happy middle will be good for me and not burn me out but get me ready to run the full distance. I’m hoping it works well! Looks like your husband is on the right track with his training!
Thats really great that you were able to modify those plans to make them work for you! Good luck with your training!
I love how your training log is organized. I might have to mimic this myself, especially when I start my marathon training.
Its worked out pretty well! I made it an a google doc so we can both have access to it and I can make changes if needed.
Sounds like you have a great training plan lined up for Cleveland! My hubby has tried running with me off and on and hasn’t stuck with it. I did pace my 9 year old in the fall to finish a sub 40 5k. She won first place and said she didn’t want to run another 5k for a long time! Haha!
Thats awesome that your 9 year old ran such a great 5k! Thats a long distance for kids, so I could see how she may not want to run that far again for awhile!
Looks like you have a great training plan ahead for Cleveland! My hubby has run with me off and on and we have run several 5k’s as a family!
Hey Rob – 3 months is plenty of time to make this training schedule work for you! I think running a sub 4 marathon is definitely doable for you, you ran pretty much close to this time before. During my last marathon training I have really learned the importance of the right nutrition – it can really make all the difference on race day!
I agree that he can do it! And you are right that nutrition is so important- I even got him eating breakfast after his runs! (which he never used to do and i just can’t understand!) Thanks for your support!
I’m not sure I could coach my husband or vice versa. That’s really cool that you guys can work together as coach and spouse so well.
It’s going well so far, but we will see how he likes me telling him what to do when the training gets harder!
My coach believes in a lot of rest during a marathon training cycle. It has definitely helped me to stay well rested and have ample recovery time.
Rest and recovery are SO important during marathon training!