Training Plans

I am nowhere near an expert at training for a marathon.  In fact, I'm quite the running newbie.  I have completed three marathons, all within a one year period.  I have utilized quite different training plans with quite different results though.

For my first half marathon, I used a training plan from Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running by Dagny Scott Barrios. On Amazon Here

For my first and second full marathons (one year later), I used the Marathon Level 1 training plan from Run Faster: From the 5K to the Marathon by Brad Hudson & Matt Fitzgerald.   On Amazon Here

For my third marathon, I used a Hal Higdon running plan.  His website is here

There are pros and cons to all training plans.  Many of these things I do not have the knowledge to even intelligently discuss.  That being said, I truly felt prepared while using the Brad Hudson plan.  That being said, it is a LOT of work!  The reason I switched back to the Hal Higdon plan was for a bit of a break.  Wednesday nights of "Easy 10 miles" is a significant time commitment for this slow runner.

For my forth marathon, I am going back to Brad Hudson's plan.  Today, I mapped out his Marathon Level 1 plan and I should be right in the middle of week 3.  My runs haven't been very similar to what he recommends at this point, but beginning on Sunday, I will start following more closely (with the knowledge that I will go nuts without a bit of freedom from the plan).

This week's long run: 6 miles with the last 10 minutes moderate.  This is a step down from what I should be doing with the half training plan I was doing (14 miles).  I'm looking forward to the cooler weather so I can jump off the treadmill and log my miles outdoors.  In AZ, I may still have a month.

What training plans do you like?  What works best for you?