My experiences using the Pfizinger, Hudson, Hansons Marathon Training Plan as an older runner

[@gregwhittier5206]

Well done. I read all those books also and followed Pfitz and Hudsons plans at one point. Inspired to see you're running so fast at your age, since I think we're the same age :-) I also ran Boston 2009. Got my 3:15 BQ in 2008 at age 37. Boston was my last marathon and focused on shorter distance, getting my sub-40 10k goal in 2011. Then I slowly (and then quickly) let myself go mainly due to work and thinking my PR days were behind me with age and I should focus on my career. Now at 52, just building mileage now and trying to get the weight off. Seems impossible with the harder BQ times and my terrible shape, but a dream would be qualifying as a M55 in a few years.

[@gcklo]

You ran a great time! It is certainly harder at 50+. I found that the Hanson taper was not good for me. For my next Marathon, I am switching back to Hudson.

[@stagney]

remember that the M55 Q-time is your age on race day. I am going to shoot for a 2027 BQ in October 2025 at age 53. I will turn 55 in February 2027. At this point those extra 10 minutes will help!

[@ptlewis2000]

This was brilliant! Thank you for taking the time to break down your experience! And you left a cliff hanger? Can't wait for the sequel! I took took a long break due to work and other stuff around the same time you did. Never beat my 3:15 Boston Qualifier. Started back in 2019 and using my own plan, then Hanson's 3 times, got back to sub 3:25 at Santa Rosa Hoping for a sub 3:20 at CIM 2022 using McMillan whis is way different than Hanson's, but more similar to my old coach 13 years ago. My SRA Elite friends suggested pfitz and may try that next.

[@谢春晖-k4t]

thanks for sharing the books,I am going to read one of them

[@gcklo]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@jtfoo68]

Very well explained. Thanks.

[@gcklo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grey_fox7]

Thank you for the summary of the plans!

[@gcklo]

Glad you like them!

[@Shevock]

Great vide8. Very informative. Thanks.

[@gcklo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maxdadomo1835]

How are you getting on? We have very similar times so I'd be interested to see how Hansons is working for you? I have also used P&D, it got me to 3:07. But I ran my PB (3:02), just doing my own thing. Tempted to try Hansons now...

[@maxdadomo1835]

I'm female, aged 51, but using my son's account!

[@gcklo]

I am a little bit older at 52 and ran 3:06 at London. Could have run faster but too many things did not go right, unfortunately.

[@landb82303]

Hanson's all day long!!!

[@chanjanie2229]

Hi, I’m looking into training plan for my first marathon coming up in Dec 24. I (26 F) have experiences running 10K and half marathon races but those were a few years ago. I still habitually run for leisure. Want ask if I do want to aim for sub 4 and finish strong, which plan would you recommend considering I have a longer prep time?

[@gcklo]

Disclaimer: We are all different so what works for me may not work for you. Personally, I would go for a longer training cycle (e.g. 24 weeks or more) for the first Marathon. However, other than Pfizinger, the longest training cycle for the other plans is all 20 weeks or shorter. It is possible to add a few more weeks of base building to ramp up a bit before starting those plan if time allows.

[@georgebarr5102]

Did you find out if hansons was any good ?

[@gcklo]

I got into very good shape using the Hansons plan particularly before London 2022. I ran some of my best workouts ever. Unfortunately, I didn't meet my expectation. I switched back to Hudson's before Chicago 2023. My workouts were all slower than 2022 summer but I did a little better at Chicago. I do like the Hudson taper better. Having said that, I would say training plan is somewhat personal. So, what works or not works for me could be very different for you or others.

[@georgebarr5102]

@@gcklo thanks

[@erics7226]

Mediocre 21 minute 5k runner 😅

[@gcklo]

There are just so many faster runners in many races

[@GTE_Channel]

I'm about the same pace and finish most my races roughly in the middle of the pack. So mediocre seems about right 😂

[@timkavanaugh6474]

In a race it’s not great; compared to general level of fitness and even if that is a level you can hold for years it’s a really solid time imo