Disney Marathon Training…The Plan!

It’s officially training season and I’m 17 weeks away from the Walt Disney World Marathon! I’ve sprinkled a few races in the mix including the Sweat With Your Sole 15K in Atlanta. You can read that recap here. Also, the Women’s Running Series Half Marathon Nashville is two weeks away (SO EXCITED!) and possibly another local half marathon in November. 

I’ll be using the Hal Higdon marathon training plan. Monday is a rest day, but I will be incorporating some cross training. The Galloway Method will also be in full swing on my long runs to help me meet my goals. Many marathoners use Jeff Galloway’s method and have had huge success including, achieving personal records and qualifying for Boston. Now that’s HUGE!

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	6	Cross
2	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	7	Cross
3	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	Half Marathon	Cross
4	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	9	Cross
5	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	10	Cross
6	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	7	Cross
7	Rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	12	Cross
8	Rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon
9	Rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	10	Cross
10	Rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	Rest	15	Cross
11	Rest	4 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	16	Cross
12	Rest	4 m run	8 m run	5 m run	Rest	12	Cross
13	Rest	4 m run	9 m run	5 m run	Rest	18	Cross
14	Rest	5 m run	9 m run	5 m run	Rest	14	Cross
15	Rest	5 m run	10 m run	5 m run	Rest	20	Cross
16	Rest	5 m run	8 m run	4 m run	Rest	12	Cross
17	Rest	4 m run	6 m run	3 m run	Rest	8	Cross
18	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Marathon

It’s recommended that first time marathoners not go into their first marathon with a time goal. To finish (upright) IS the goal. Thank God fall is almost here because training will be a breeze *pun intended*! I love summer, but I’m so over the heat and humidity. There’s a big difference between the two seasons when it comes to training so, I can’t wait! I’ll also be using my Pacebands. You can read about those here.

I don’t run in the morning until my weekend long run. I did run in the morning this week, instead of the evening, and I think I may stick to it! It felt really good to have my run out of the way so I could come home and relax. Either way, marathon training comes with many sacrifices. I went to Zumba last night and I didn’t wake up early this morning to run—which means I have a dinner date with a three miler tonight!

Slow and steady wins the race and the only race is with myself!