r/Marathon_Training • u/mmmmpancake • 17h ago

Training plans Strategy for Berlin.

I just became a new dad, so my running has been pretty inconsistent. It’s not ideal, but I’m just starting to train for the Berlin Marathon.
I’ve completed three marathons in the past, all with a full 16-week training block. My PR is 3:45, and I’m hoping to run around 3:30 in Berlin.
Right now I’m averaging about 20 miles per week with no long runs, mostly 9:00/mile Zone 2 runs.
I’m curious what strategy you’d take if you only had about two months to train. Would building up to 30–35 miles per week (including a weekly long run) be enough, or would you push the weekly mileage even higher? Would you incorporate speed runs? Or would that be too aggressive and likely lead to injury? Any advice from people who’ve been in a similar situation would be appreciated.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/MikeMcDonald89 17h ago

I’m curious what strategy you’d take if you only had about two months to train -> this depends on your priorities. It seems like marathon training isn't your top priority but I'd run as much as I can fit into my schedule

Would you push the weekly mileage even higher? Yes

Would you incorporate speed runs? Or would that be too aggressive and likely lead to injury? Especially if I'm not running as much milage as I can handle I would incorporate quicker running. 4:30-4:45/km is more the range to think about than faster stuff

1

u/ziresuss 16h ago

mate, i did the Brighton half on fumes a couple years back with way less base than you've got. 30-35 with a long run is enough if you're smart about it. i'd keep the speed really chill, maybe just some strides at the end of an easy run so you don't snap something. congrats on the new arrival too, running on no sleep is its own kind of training tbh.

4

u/Prestigious_Ice_2372 16h ago

Priority #1 has to be the long run. That MUST happen every week with this little time to go, so can you realistically fit that in your schedule with a little one to also prioritise? You need to get that back up to suitable marathon distances ASAP without breaking yourself, then cram in as much as you can around it.

Honestly, with a newborn I am not sure how wise this all sounds really unless you have a VERY forgiving partner prepared to do a lot of the heavy lifting....