General Discussion Triathlon Talk » FIRST running program for IM Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2011-04-19 8:28 AM

User image

Elite
3687
20001000500100252525
Subject: FIRST running program for IM
Has anyone out there ever done the FIRST program from the guys at Furman College? It advocates three quality runs per week at higher intensities along with cross training. Seems like it might be a good fit with IM training in the run. Curious to see if anyone has given a shot.


2011-04-19 9:45 AM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM
If you have the running base to do FIRST and are able to do all the running intensity along with all your swimming & biking, then it could work.  Those 'ifs' are big ones, however.  Attempting that kind of running intensity can be challenging when just running.  But it really depends on the individual's background in training for all 3 sports.
2011-04-19 11:37 AM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Elite
3658
200010005001002525
Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM
^^^what he said plus...

How fast are you planning on running the Marathon?  There aren't a lot of people who go sub 4 and very few go sub 3:30. 
2011-04-19 12:06 PM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM
I did F.I.R.S.T. for my last marathon and it was very demanding. I can't imagine training the run at that intesnity and being able to recover enough to get in solid bike and swim training. Cross training is one thing, but IM training is not that thing.
2011-04-19 6:29 PM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Elite
3687
20001000500100252525
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM
Thanks everyone. Sometimes I need viewpoints other than my own to help me to see common sense.
2011-04-20 10:57 AM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Member
66
2525
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM
I did the FIRST program for the National Marathon last month while cross training for an Ironman....I PRed by 30 minutes (but I'm not fast, it was a 4:08) and used my swims as recovery and did tempo, speedwork and long bikes.  I thought it worked really well, and now post marathon, I am keeping up my mileage without all of the intensity and now working on the bike and swim more.  I thought it worked really well, but it depends on your marathon goal.  I would agree that it works more for the 3:30-4:00ish marathoner.


2011-04-20 10:58 AM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Master
2158
20001002525
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM

I agree, I incorperated some of the FIRST ideas into my training, but you have to have a strong base, and you mayu not be recovered enough to put quality into the other training disciplines.

Remember, as a triathlete, you shouldn't be training like a marathoner, or a masters swimmer, or a cyclist. You have to blend it up a little.

2011-04-26 3:46 PM
in reply to: #3454847

User image

Master
4117
20002000100
Toronto
Bronze member
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM

mrbbrad - 2011-04-19 1:06 PM I did F.I.R.S.T. for my last marathon and it was very demanding. I can't imagine training the run at that intesnity and being able to recover enough to get in solid bike and swim training. Cross training is one thing, but IM training is not that thing.

Definitely - and the long run schedule is very aggressive - much more so than is probably advisable for IM training. I think when I did it there were 5- 20 milers ...

2011-04-26 4:08 PM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Champion
5781
5000500100100252525
Northridge, California
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM
That was my routine for the first three marathons I did while also maintaining my tri training routine and it worked fine.  I have to say that it didn't really prepare me for my last IM run, though (which was St George)...probably would have fared better with more volume in that case.
2011-04-27 8:06 PM
in reply to: #3454316

User image

Extreme Veteran
434
10010010010025
Stuart
Subject: RE: FIRST running program for IM

I used it last year training for a half ironman then marathon 1 month later. My wife and I have used the first system for several marathons and really like it. I think it could work for the irondistance race you would just have to scale the pace down to what you would be running in your race. Good luck.

 

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » FIRST running program for IM Rss Feed