[barlows]

So I just finished my first Triathlon last weekend, and was looking for a new goal event. I hadn't run much in recent years until doing my Tri training. I had forgotten that I actually enjoy running. So I registered for the White Rock Marathon last night. It's in Dallas in December, so there's quite a lot of time to train for it.

I've never run a Marathon before, but I'm confident of being able to finish. My real question is how much will I have to cut back on the bike while training for it. My current thought is to monitor waking heart rate, morning body weight, and keep a fairly detailed training journal so that I can watch for overtraining and just see what develops. I currently bike between 150 and 250 miles a week.

Anyone see any reason this wouldn't work? Any other indicators you would watch for to indicate onset of overtraining?

Steve

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[kuan]

I don't think your problem will be overtraining, rather, it would be injury prevention.

Establish a good base, make sure you can do those 25-30 mile weeks for about 3-4 weeks before you go into your 20 week marathon training schedule. Those summer months are going to be tough, getting up at 4am to do your runs, hydrating, etc. You should have plenty of time though, just survive through the summer without getting hurt and start ramping up in the fall.

You can ride to replace one of the recovery runs in your schedule, and if you find a schedule that has you doing a long run every other week you can fit in a long bike ride in between weeks.

[aham23]

its was impossible for me to keep riding like i wanted too while training for the 07 Chicago Marathon.

first you need a base of 20 to 40 miles a week before starting a training plan. most training plans recommend 16 weeks of training. this is 5 or 6 six days a week of running. this takes a lot of time and effort.

two months prior to the marathon i was running 4 days a week and riding 1 day a week. the body needed the other two days for rest and recovery. i would never run another fall marathon as it basically ended my cycling season just as it was getting started.

good luck. later.

[LifeIsSuffering]

So I just finished my first Triathlon last weekend, and was looking for a new goal event. I hadn't run much in recent years until doing my Tri training. I had forgotten that I actually enjoy running. So I registered for the White Rock Marathon last night. It's in Dallas in December, so there's quite a lot of time to train for it.

I've never run a Marathon before, but I'm confident of being able to finish. My real question is how much will I have to cut back on the bike while training for it. My current thought is to monitor waking heart rate, morning body weight, and keep a fairly detailed training journal so that I can watch for overtraining and just see what develops. I currently bike between 150 and 250 miles a week.

Anyone see any reason this wouldn't work? Any other indicators you would watch for to indicate onset of overtraining?

Steve

As kuan mentioned, the risk of injury will most likely increase by pursuing both sports.

For similar reasons a proper bike fit is essential, I recommend you visit a reputable running store and get fit properly on the shoes. The higher-end shops can also evaluate your running stride.

Obviously, start with low miles. Also, include running on soft surfaces (yes, even if the marathon is on asphalt); training on a softer surface will develop the running-specific muscles and place (relatively) less stress on the joints.

Be hyper attentive to any signs of joint pain.

There was a recent thread in which the OP wanted to pursue mtb and weights. My advice to him: avoid junk miles on the bike and junk lifts in the gym. The same applies here: avoid junk miles in either sport; have a specific purpose for each and every session and make them count.

I don't know if you want to hit any PRs in either sport. To split your time and effort on two means you probably won't excel in either. Don't get me wrong - IF you're smart and lucky, you just might beat your PRs on the bike from last year while marathon training; however, if you devote your training and rest to cycling alone, the PRs will most likely be more impressive.

[mikeini]

i think this link will come in handy:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/health/nutrition/08BEST.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin

[barlows]

All, thanks for the advice. In reading your replies, it became clear that I should have described both my cycling and running goals. I'm certainly no racer, and just did the Tri to keep focus of my riding. My main reason to continue on the bike while training for the Marathon is simply because I enjoy it. I commute to work on the bike and really enjoy the time I have to myself while doing that.

So I'll start easy and watch for any signs of join pain or overtraining, and taper back the bike as needed. I hope to be able to continue riding as late as 6 weeks prior to the Marathon.

Steve

[kuan]

If you're not running now, just run twice the first week and three times the next. Go slow, maybe 4 miles max. Take 10 weeks to build to running 5x/wk.