Mistakes In Picking My Marathon Training Program | My First Marathon Ep. 21

Summary

In this video, Matt shares his experience training for his first marathon, focusing on a 20-mile run. He discusses his choice of the Hal Higdon intermediate training program, which emphasizes marathon pace runs and high weekly mileage. Matt reflects on the challenges of managing cumulative fatigue and the importance of easy runs. Despite a minor ankle injury, he remains optimistic about race day, four weeks away. He plans to analyze his training for future marathons, aiming for more variety in his next program.

Takeaways

• 🏃 The video documents Matt's longest training run of 20 miles, part of his preparation for his first marathon.
• 🍬 Matt improvises with gummy bears as fuel during the run, due to unavailability of his usual gels.
• 🌤️ The weather starts damp and cool but turns out to be perfect for running, which Matt acknowledges after beginning his run.
• ⏱️ Matt completes the run, slightly over 20 miles, at a 6-minute 21-second pace per kilometer, focusing on endurance over speed.
• ❄️ An unexpected encounter with a patch of snow/ice results in a minor ankle injury, affecting Matt's subsequent training.
• 🔄 The video reflects on Matt's training program, the Hal Higdon Intermediate Marathon Training, and its emphasis on total mileage and marathon pace runs.
• 📉 Matt discusses the challenge of managing cumulative fatigue and the importance of recovery time in marathon training.
• 📈 Despite being a novice, Matt chose the intermediate program for its focus on marathon pace, aiming to prepare him both physically and mentally.
• 🔁 Matt acknowledges a 'rookie mistake' in not running his easy runs easy enough, leading to increased fatigue and potential injury.
• 🏅 Looking ahead, Matt plans to vary his training for future marathons, seeking a program with more diversity in workouts like hills and tempo runs.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Matt's video?

The main focus of Matt's video is to discuss his experience with his marathon training, specifically following the Hal Higdon program, sharing his longest run during this training block, and reflecting on what went right and wrong.

How long was Matt's longest run during his training?

Matt's longest run during his training was 20 miles, though he mentions he might push it out to 22 miles if he's feeling really good.

What did Matt use as a substitute for his usual running gels during the run?

Matt used gummy bears as a substitute for his usual running gels since he couldn't find any gels at the local grocery store.

What injury did Matt sustain during his run?

Matt slipped on a patch of snow/ice and twisted his ankle, which caused him some pain and bothered him for a few days after the run.

How far away is Matt's first marathon from the time of the video?

At the time of the video, Matt's first marathon is only four weeks away.

What is the Hal Higdon program that Matt chose for his training?

The Hal Higdon program is a marathon training program that Matt chose because it seemed like a safe and logical choice based on its reputation and straightforward structure.

Why did Matt decide to follow the intermediate version of the Hal Higdon program?

Matt decided to follow the intermediate version of the Hal Higdon program because he felt his current fitness level was closer to the mileage required by the intermediate program rather than the novice program.

What is one mistake Matt feels he made during his training?

Matt feels he made a mistake by not paying attention to the cumulative fatigue that comes with running so many miles and pushing his easy runs too hard, which led to less recovery time.

What is Matt's opinion on running easy runs at an easy pace?

Matt finds it challenging to run easy runs at an easy pace and often feels the need to push the pace, which can lead to overexertion and less recovery time.

What is Matt's plan for his next marathon training program?

Matt plans to look for a program with more variety for his next marathon training, including possibly incorporating hills, tempo runs, or threshold runs to avoid the boredom he felt during his current program.

What is the significance of the music in Matt's video?

The music in Matt's video serves as a background to set the mood and pace for the video, and it is also a stylistic choice to make the content more engaging for viewers.