Running a marathon

No, not me. That would be ridiculous.

However, I have a former athlete that I coached, and she has someone training for a marathon.

I told her about the short-to-long Charlie Francis-type stuff, since I do something a lot similar coaching rowers (but not back when I coached her). I mean, it seems similar to me. Charlie, on the other hand, might wonder what the hell I was doing.

She was wondering what Charlie Francis-type marathon training would be. Yes, I know it’s essentially an oxymoron. However, some stuff would apply – don’t get people injured, don’t do work just to do work, quality counts, etc.

Does any one have any ideas about what sensible marathon training (if such a thing exists) would be? I know I could go to a marathon-type site, but I’d like to know what the crowd here thinks.

Sun - Long slow run - well below race pace - work up to with Time by 15 per wk - till your doing say 3hrs (lets say sub 3hr goal pace??)
Typically, if 1st marathon, then have that 3hrs planned done by 3wks before race, so, Work backwards 3hrs, 2hr 45, 2.5hrs, 2hrs 15min etc etc

mon - easy recovery session

Tue - 1k reps

wed - easy/ recovery run

thurs - Hard 5k hit out

fri - easy / recovery run

sat - off

1k reps = “speed work”
5klm = time trial or similiar

It very much depends on time availability until this marathon. The less time available, the more you can benefit from just maintaining a certain pace, determined mainly by her (subconscious).

Look for Lydiard’s or Daniel’s stuff.