Looking for some marathon training plan advice - Hal, Hanson, P&D, Daniels?

I'm one week into Hanson for Amsterdam, so week 2 of it for you should you decide on it.

I went with it after reading some cracking race reports last year, Sandwell's Amsterdam, Unthoughtknown's Chicago. Then reading the main Hanson thread.

I love the simplicity of it in terms of structure. No real thinking involved.

After reading the book it's the first time I've really felt like I understand the purpose of every single stride I'll make in a marathon block.

You will have to get your head around the concept of maxing out at 16m though. Reading the book may be the best way of convincing you.

Best of luck with it whichever route you take.

I think with your marathon experience it really doesn't matter at this point which of those plans you choose - they are all capable of getting you the result you want, if you commit to the method/plan and execute it properly. The thing that's helping you improve from year to year is more the accumulated mileage and ongoing improvement of your aerobic ability that comes from training and racing (sustainably) year after year.

I've used P&D and Hanson for marathon - personally I prefer Hanson because it feels more marathon specific, and because it is built more around marathon pace runs than any other approach I've used. Also it has huge 'strength' sessions. (It has speed too but front loads that in the first half of the plan, unlike P&D which seems to include more of it in the second half - a notable difference between the approaches.)

They will all get you there. You have the experience. Just make sure your target is achievable - you need to start training at current fitness (so base your paces on current or recent race times, not goal marathon time). My slight concern would be that even your half time from earlier this year looks tight for a 3:10 marathon. Maybe not too tight for a 3:15. So which is it, 3:10 or 3:15? I know I'm conservative with goal times, but for me a 5 minute range for a marathon target is very wide. If you're in 3:15 shape and start at 3:10 pace you'll probably end up running 3:25. But you know all that already.

I'd say if you're worried about that Hanson 16 mile long run range, you shouldn't be. The plan is relentless about marathon pace on tired legs. It does not need adjustment for your marathon goal (and I know a runner much older than you who went sub-3 without altering it a jot).

Good luck whatever way it goes!

If you are going to use Hanson, buy the book and read it - don’t rely on an excel version of the schedule, you’ll just be tempted to tweak it. You need the detail to understand the approach properly.

Don’t forget those Hanson speed sessions say 5-10k pace. Quite a lot of leeway there over 400-1000m reps

You were who I meant in my first post 😊

Always get you guys mixed up.

I've been following the P&D(18/70) marathon training plan for three weeks now, and I'm finding the Wednesday session particularly challenging after the Tuesday session involving strides and hill sprints. The plan also includes occasional intense workouts on other days. Tonight's workout is a 9-mile run with 4 miles at lactate threshold (LT) pace in the middle. However, I'm struggling to maintain the LT range during the first mile. It feels like a constant grind to stay within the desired pace.

Ive been told it's not uncommon to find some workouts challenging, especially during the initial weeks of a marathon training plan and its important to remember that training plans are designed to progressively build fitness and endurance over time. Some suggestions I've read to help with the tough sessions:

Pace yourself- When starting the LT portion of the workout, try to start at a pace that allows you to comfortably stay within the LT range. It's better to begin conservatively and gradually increase your effort as you progress through the workout.

Mental focus- During challenging workouts, it's essential to stay mentally engaged. Focus on form, breathing, and maintaining a positive mindset. Breaking the workout into smaller segments can also help you mentally tackle it. Instead of thinking about the entire workout, focus on one mile or interval at a time.

Recovery and rest: Ensure that the body is getting enough time to recover between workouts. Adequate rest and recovery are crucial for adapting to the training stimulus. Get enough sleep, eating well and relax when the chance comes

And improtantly training plans are not set in stone, and some adjustments may be necessary to accommodate current fitness level and abilities. Listening to your body and making modifications when needed can help ensure a successful training cycle.