Best Marathon Training Plan? Hanson's Marathon Method Review

[@joshuaecht]

Thank you for this. I ran a 3:20:01 despite feeling like I had trained for 3:15 shape, but bonked at 22 because I went out too fast (1:33 first half, PR; 1:46 backend fade) and did too many 20-mile LRs with too much recovery before and after (4 the day before, 4-6 the day after). I like this review and I am seeing that running through fatigue will help simulate the back 16 of the race, even if the LR is only 16 total!

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Yep! It’s definitely a challenging training plan, and takes some trust to not do many super long runs, but I’ve seen great results

[@justapedn1]

HMM worked great for me! 30 minutes off my late life (over 65) PR. Was skeptical of maximum 3 hour/16 mile long run, but cumulative fatigue worked wonders. Love the method.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Yep, it’s a great plan!

[@mattdepauw8995]

Loved the review. Just started training for my first Half Marathon and had no idea what I was doing....until I saw this video. Now I have some plan to follow and I know the reasoning why they want me to run like a sloth on "easy" days. Much appreciated - also love the channel - keep up the awesome work.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Thanks Matt! Glad you enjoyed the video. Easy days, while they might feel counterproductive, are just as important as the fast ones. Best wishes on your training!

[@nrbeck1]

How does it compare to Hal Hidgon's plan? I have done three training cycles with his adv marathon 2 plan. Shaved 1.5 hours off!

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I haven’t done the Higdon plan, but I’d love to try it someday. Congrats on the improvement!

[@guin3666]

Luke Humphrey running is the online version using final surge to get all workouts sent to garmin devices and also has the pacing calculator.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Nice!

[@georgebarr5102]

Yes but you need to pay 40 buck extra for that

[@mississippimotoman]

I can concur . Our local Fleet Feet has us using Final Surge , which is the online Hansens Method

[@kjoto]

Are you back to marathon training with Hanson? I’m so curious about this method. I have run 4 marathons and only going 16 miles long run makes me nervous.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I am! It is a little nerve-wracking to not have a super long run, but if you do the full training plan, you will be fine. The Hansons theory is that there’s diminishing returns once you run more than 16 miles, and your risk of energy and burnout gets much higher. The speed workouts, strength workouts and tempo runs are shorter, but challenging enough to prepare you for 26.2

[@joshuaecht]

Also, that's a Detroit FC knit cap at 0:07. Great support of their soccer team, although I'm partial to the Columbus Crew! :)

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Big match tomorrow!!!

[@hassanmadni8133]

You speak very good.. well done..

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Thanks!

[@votolatodiaries]

I know this is old but I'm using this program (advanced half marathon training program) but I'm so confused: they have zero hill sprints! I have one month left until my half and your video doesn't say anything about hills either. Did you do zero hill repeats? I'm also blogging about our training (among other things) on my channel if you're interested!

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

No hills required as part of the plan. Although I try to mix in some hills on some of my runs. It is worth noting, Hanson’s is based out of Michigan, which is pretty flat, especially in the Metro Detroit area.

[@votolatodiaries]

@@FreshBrewRunClub thanks! curious, what was your half marathon PR following the plan?

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I ran 1:29:11

[@PaulOutsidetheWalls]

How similar is this to Pete Pfitzinger’s Advanced Marathoning?

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I’m unfortunately not familiar with that one. I’ll have to check it out though

[@lifangliu439]

Totally agree with one of the cons. I have to keep my personal Excel file to make my plan.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I love some good pivot tables!

[@ThePsants]

Now that you're done w/the marathon, how do you think this training plan was for you?

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I do! I got my PR on a pretty windy day, so I’m happy. Like I mentioned in the video, this is a pretty demanding plan, with 6 days a week of running, speed and tempo workouts, but if you stick to the plan, it will have you well prepared. The only downside is the training can feel like a real grind, especially for me in the cold weather this spring. If I didn’t care as much about getting a PR and just wanted to finish or get an ok time, I’d suggest something a little less intense

[@carldouglas7777]

I've both books and did the advanced marathon method it worked a treat the advanced half is very similar but is harder due too faster tempo

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Yep, the speed workouts were pretty challenging

[@alanshrimpton6787]

I just got the ebook and might give it a go. My last marathon I did was using Ben Parks and it got me a 3h26m and I'm 58 and it was a virtual because of Covid and that was my 3rd marathon. 1 year later this Sunday I try again at the event using Ben Parks. Aiming for around 3hr15min. I would like to see the pacing chart in kms. Good grief I have to convert it too.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I did a 5K training plan last year and had to convert from kms to miles, so I feel your pain!

[@carldouglas7777]

Best method going

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

Agreed! Tough, but rewarding.

[@MrAwseal]

So this method was recommended to me to BQ. However I’m a hybrid athlete and I love my actual strength. Squating 440# is important to me. Pulling 500# is important so I still train 3 days in strength. And I know most runners are skinny little guys but I truly don’t want to be that. So how easy is tailoring this program including at least 3 strength training days?

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

I'll just ignore the "skinny little guys" comment, and say no, this won't work for you. The Hansons Method only works if you do probably 95% or more of the runs in the plan. It's built around the idea of "cumulative fatigue" where you essentially tire your muscles with hard workouts at slightly shorter mileage than a traditional marathon plan, and then peak at the marathon. So unless you're a incredibly naturally gifted runner, you'll probably need to focus less on squatting and strength training to qualify for Boston.

[@MrAwseal]

@@FreshBrewRunClub I know a lot about accumulative fatigue. I came from a weightlifting background where my coach was literally one of the only Americans to be train under Abadzhiev in the Bulgarian method. So I’ve trained 6 days a week at max effort before. The problem I see is that this method really isn’t training to max effort 6 days a week. So it is reasonable to question whether it can be adjusted to allow for more strength training, which would add to a cumulative fatigue. Also, you can’t really say marathon runners or big guys. Most of them just train a single discipline, and most of them will sacrifice strength for weight so that they can be more efficient runners. Just like bodybuilders aren’t exactly the best cardiovascular athletes. It’s just the way it is.

[@MrAwseal]

@@FreshBrewRunClub also, let me just be clear because many people don’t understand this. Strength training is not the same as hypertrophy training. I’m not a bodybuilder trying to look bigger. I’m a strength athlete, trying to be stronger, which means that I am taxing more of my central nervous system in order to use the muscle mass. I have most efficiently.

[@FreshBrewRunClub]

@@MrAwseal You don't want to train at max effort for 6 days a week for the marathon, you'll get injured or burned out, especially if you're aiming for a BQ. Mixing in the speed/strength runs with the easy/long runs is the key to building the endurance and aerobic development needed for the marathon distance (and a major part of the Hanson's Method). Those easy days are just as important as the speed and tempo workouts. You can mix in some strength training of course, but you don't want to sacrifice any of the mileage in the plan.

[@MrAwseal]

⁠@@FreshBrewRunClubright so if I don’t change track and tempo runs but I shift the mileage of the easy runs , for example distance the 4 mile day over to the longer 8 mile easy run days essentially bumping those up to 10 mi. Wouldn’t I be still hitting the same volume and cumulative effect?

[@CarlosMarea-q9g]

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