Thinking of doing a marathon in Oct. Training plan advise needed.

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It's a little tight, timing-wise.  If you're already at 13.1 miles, you can do it if you are methodical and conscientious in building your long runs (you should be able to get to at least one 18-19 mile run in time for a taper, which would be the minimum prep, IMO), but you might be a little undertrained.  But your IM isn't until next year, so I'm not sure it's a big deal, honestly, if you want to do it.  I did a marathon 10 weeks before my upcoming IM (this weekend) and recovery was a non-issue...I planned my couple recovery weeks to be bike- and swim-focused and that went fine.  More to your case:  My wife did that same marathon as her first-ever mary while prepping for a first-ever HIM this weekend and same deal...no issues with the recovery interfering with her HIM prep.  If you want to do a marathon, do a marathon.  From my experience balancing marathons with HIM and IM training, if you are careful and train it's not that big a deal.  Just be aware that you'll very probably lose two to three weeks of productive running after the race due to likely being a bit undertrained.  With your IM not until next year, I can't see why that would be a problem.

Anyone have experience with the Furman (FIRST) training method? I never heard of it until today when I started searching. You run 3 days a week and cross train at least 2 days (no limit to the amount of cross training). Seems to fit well with the tri lifestyle. You do a speed day, a tempo run and a long run. I am thinking of trying it out since it is not that much different than what I have been doing. 

Kevin  

There are lots of opinions on this plan.  My view is that it is WAY too much intensity for most people looking to jump up to the marathon with a relatively light running background.  You should be working on ways to run more than 3x per week (at least in the off-season) with your IM goal next year.

Not knowing what your run mileage looks like, I'd recommend waiting and training for one in early 2010.
I did a Hal Higdon plan and he really stressed the importance of the base-building and consistency of running 5-6 days a week to get your body and joints used to running. He especially stressed the "medium long" runs of 8-10 miles each week, week after week after week. I don't think 8 weeks of training would get you where you need to be - again, not knowing your background or mileage up to this point.

For me, a HIM finisher (2x) but marathon newbie at the time, a 20-week plan (or was it 18?) was perfect and even allowed time for a foot injury to heal in the middle.

I'd just hate to see you jump into those medium long and LONG runs every week and injure yourself...

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WHere did you find the information about the "first training" method

Im thinking about doing a HIM and marathon 4 weeks apart... (this will be my 4th HIM with 1 sub 5 hr)

Kevin,

i used the first program last fall to prepare for a half marathon. I missed a few track workouts but substituted them with runerval dvd workouts and was able to get UNDER my target time....THAT BEING SAID, I was so amped up that i was getting good at running that i decided to jump into marathon training with with 8 weeks to spare and I GOT A STRESS FRACTURE!!!

I agree with JOhnyK, it is an intense program and won't work for everyone. I just didn't have the base and an very injury prone. That also being said, I am so slow this year from doing slow a$$ zone 2 runs I could vomit!! I did 2 halfs last fall with times of 1:56, 1:57 on fairly hilly courses and i just did chicago half and did 2:15!!! The program clearly works but there is a risk.

I tried the FIRST method for a marathon last year, got the book 'Run Less, Run Faster' put out by runners world. Program was very intense, even though the days were less, I could not keep up with the pacing and kept having to dial it back.

Runnersworld.com has a few plans one is a 12 week "Get Serious" plan that has is based on the same FIRST priciple but looks a little better then the book. Also someone posted a link to Hal Higdon online guides, best bet is to find one that fits your needs and jump right in. I am using the intermediate plan for the Silicon Valley Marathon, Oct 25th.

Last summer, I did a HIM on August 10 (my first) and then a marathon on October 17. 

I went to runnersworld where they have a program that will make a plan for your specific needs.  I input the number of miles I was running per week, my goal marathon time, the number of weeks I had, and it came out with a nice plan for me.

It worked well for me, although I missed my Boston Qualifying time by 80 seconds.  It was a 23 minute marathon pr for me.

I am planning on it again this year.  Doing the Timberman on August 23rd and then Columbus marathon on October 18th.  Hopefully  I can get those 80 seconds this year.

Barb

I loved FIRST! I hated FIRST! I used it for my first mary and it helped me to qualify for Boston on that first one. If you can follow the plan and adjust pacing accordingly, it will work even if you don't have a strong running background.