Question: I am training for Grandma's using Higdon's Intermediate marathon program.
He calls for a Saturday run alternating between marathon pace and easy
pace, starting at 5 miles and going up to 10. On Sunday is the long run.
I was told that it is not a good idea to have a marathon pace run followed
the next day by a long run, but I also know this is characteristic of
Higdon's program and he's been doing this a long time. I could switch the
Saturday run to Thursday, leaving an easy 3 mile run on Saturday. But
would that defeat the purpose of the Pace followed by Long Run that Higdon
proposes?
Answer:
Yes. Obviously doing them back to back is harder, so the question really is
do you want to do the harder workout and more importantly can you handle the
harder workout at your current fitness level. Hidgon puts these days back
to back to get you in better condition. If Saturday's run doesn't get above
10 miles and it's only at marathon pace you should be fine.
The back to back technique is as Jeff states to make you stronger. The
purpose is to get you run while your legs are tired. For races
like the marathon and longer this is very common. Galloway for instance
suggests runs equal to and greater than 26 miles(with walk breaks if
necessary)i.e. do it all in one day. Higdon chooses the back to back
days. They are both valuable and achieve similar results. Each camp
suggests one is less injury prone but I won't take sides since it
is runner/condition specific. In either case they are done half to
3/4 of the way into your training after you have a solid base.
For some of my trail training I will do 30 miles on Saturday and 15
on Sunday.
And yes, if you don't do them as Higdon suggests, it does defeat what
he is trying to accomplish. OTOH, any suggested training
schedule is a guide and over time and experience you make modifications
to fit your strengths. After a few dozen marathons I settled into
mixture of Galloway, Durdan, Anderson, salt and pepper, shake and stir.
