Hello all; I am running my first marathon in October (Chicago). On another board, they commented how my long run percentage was too much of my weekly total…so I revised my training schedule. How does this look for my "revised" training schedule for the rest of my marathon training (this is probably the best I can do, based on my other commitments). I must admit, in my log I have used the term “tempo” loosely, I use it more of just a run, getting miles in…not really speed work, or quality work…but slightly faster than an easy run (does that make sense). Mon: Rest Tues: 4.4 tempo miles in am; strength training in pm Wed: 4.4 in am (speed/fartleks) Thurs; 7.8 medium-long run in pm Fri: strength training Sat: 4 miles (easy) Sun: 14-21 miles (long run every other week); 8-10 miles (shorter run every other week) The percentages below are percent of long run to total miles run that week… 7/09/2007 - 7/15/2007 30% 7/16/2007 - 7/22/2007 45% 7/23/2007 - 7/29/2007 30% 7/30/2007 - 8/05/2007 44% 8/06/2007 - 8/12/2007 30% 8/13/2007 - 8/19/2007 51% 8/20/2007 - 8/26/2007 30% 8/27/2007 - 9/02/2007 49% 9/03/2007 - 9/09/2007 23% 9/10/2007 - 9/16/2007 55% 9/17/2007 - 9/23/2007 42% 9/24/2007 - 9/30/2007 33% 10/1/2007 - 10/7/2007 64% marathon week AVERAGE 41% THANKS!!!

For "getting the miles in" runs I would refer to them as Pfitzinger does - GA runs (General Aerobic)...

I've never really done any type of speed training, that's why I put it in there. Maybe I should change my "tempo" runs to GA (as mentioned in another reply) and change my speed workouts to tempo.

I think that's a good strategy. Since you don't have speed training experience, first marathon is definitely not the time to start.

Goal pace runs - done somewhat later in a program - are also near LT runs that build stamina and confidence in your ability to run at a pace for 12-14 miles...

I posted some information about incorporating goal pace running into your long run in this thread.