Chi Discussion Forum

Hi
I think about starting your 20 week marathon intermidiate program, but don’t know if it is right for me.
I have been running for 25 years and have runned 25 marathons. But the last 1,5 year I haven’t been able to run more than 15 km. I have a problem with my lower back that gets very tense and hurts more and more the longer I run. It goes down my right leg that finally won’t carry me anymore and I have to stop and walk.
I have been practising chi running for 4 years and think I’m doing ok. I have an instructor that also says it is looking okay.
If I buy the 20 week intermediate marathon program, do you then think it will be possible for me to run marathons again?

Henrik

Hi Henrik

First thing I would to see your doctor about the pain. A physio would probably also know what to do. About the training programme - have a look at the pages to Adidas (mycoach.com), Nike, Asisc and so on. They all have very good programs. Same goes with http://www.runnersworld.com where you put in the details and get a suggestion for training plan. Most plans have

Interval
Tempo runs
Longruns

You should have at least 40km a week to start with and up to at least 60 3 weeks before the marathon.

If you need more help send me a pm.

Make sure to verify that the selected program comes from a reliable source, and try to follow the training schedule as closely as possible. If you have a busy schedule, it helps to plan a week in advance exactly when you’ll take on your daily runs. In addition to the training program, strength training and stretching are extremely beneficial to avoid injury while distance running.

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Marathon Training

I am currently using the 16 week half marathon program for a race May 26. First two weeks of July I’m going on a two week hike, the Tour du Mont Blanc, which will be 7-10 miles a day of ascents and descents, so I will need to break in my boots and train for that in June. I’m signed up for my first marathon October 6. I want to use the chi running training program, but when I return I’ll only have 12 weeks to train, not 20. Given how much I’ve been training, and that I will still be training, just working in hiking (only 2 weeks will be run-free 100% hiking)  do you think it will be doable to start the marathon program midway through? What week would you suggest I begin on when I get back, and would you recommend skipping particular weeks to get back on schedule with long runs and speed work?