Kori! Yes, exactly. So much to say…I trained for 7 marathons, pretty willy nilly, 3-4 days a week of running with the grueling 20+ mile Saturday long run & my times ranged from 3:59-5:15. For marathon #8, I decided I wanted to get serious about qualifying for Boston & in 2018/2019, I hired a coach from a popular Instagram promoted online coaching service (which shall remain nameless) & it crushed me. Absolutely killed my confidence & I ran a 4:16. Went into the race completely defeated. Broke up w coach. Enter 2020, everything shut down & I started picking up my running again, rebuilding my confidence. I bought a treadmill in 2021, started running 6 days a week w Tommy Rivs on my iFit, he gave me a confidence boost, made me enjoy running again & then somehow, I stumbled upon Hansons. Got the book. Looked at the beginner/advanced plan & thought, I can’t do that volume before work & I certainly can’t do it after. I emailed the author, explained my situation, my history, he suggested a plan that fit my lifestyle, but wasn’t in his book. It was an alternate plan in Final Surge. 6 days of running (I could do that), longest run during the work week was 12 miles w speed (that I did after work), but the traditional Thursday tempo was added into my Saturday 16 mile run (Beginner plan w 2 SOS, not 3). Bought it for $30 (the ability to download workouts w paces already calculated onto Final Surge is priceless), ran a 3:38 & qualified for Boston. Ran another 6 mos later using same plan in 3:37. No fancy coaching, just a solid plan & a Facebook group that I could bounce questions off of when I had them. Overall, I’m so pleased with it even though it’s a huge commitment, but chasing anything meaningful is. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t learn anything from it & it wouldn’t feel so great when you finally reach the goal. I also didn’t get injured because such a large % are easy runs. I always thought if I ran more, I’d get injured, but it’s all about intensity. Hope share your NY journey with us!
Absolutely, Tiff!!! Thank you for this!!! Definitely inspiring words for people who have hit real frustration with training. No question that Hansons is a hard plan but it can absolutely shake things up when you need a change.
This resonated so much with me. I used the HMM book to train for my second marathon, New York 2019, having done Melbourne in 2017. The HMM plan ramped up so fast and was brutal in terms of time and exhaustion by the end. I felt like I had to figure out how to squeeze my work and personal life around the time commitment it required. But for all the downsides I was also the fittest I’ve been and the race was great - it felt mostly easy (apart from the last few kms) and I had a lot of fun. I went from a 3:52 in Melbourne to a 3:41 in NYC despite the latter being a harder course. I’m planning on doing Melbourne again this year and, like you, will very likely do the HMM plan again despite myself. At least I’ll have a better sense of what I’m getting myself into this time.
I just binge-watched 4 or 5 of your videos having discovered the channel searching for Hanson Plan info. I've used the Hanson Advanced for my last 2 marathons and enjoyed the results: A Boston Qualifier, and then a strong Boston Marathon (where I BQ'd again). Now I just finished week 1 for my 3rd crack at the NYC Marathon. We'll see how it goes. One of your comments in this video really reinforced the reason I like Hansons over other generic plans I've tried: the 16 mile "long" run, compared to others that call for 20, 22, even 24 miles for a long run when you get into it. Those always made me feel good for finishing them, but then I was toast for the next 4 or 5 days. The 16s, when combined with all the weekly speed/strength work, are still a challenge, but leave something to work with in the next few days. You're right about another thing; it takes time, and for a slower, back of the pack runner, that adds up to even more commitment each and every week. It certainly isn't for everyone, but you showed how it can pay off even if you HATE aspects of it. Good luck as you prepare for NYC 2022. Hope to see you there! 👍
Great thoughts, Kori! The plan clearly worked extremely well for you. Each time I see your race video, I'm reminded of the nice running friend you made at the start and how well you stayed on pace to try to help her along, and maybe helped yourself at least as much by doing it. I'm not really training for a specific race although I'm eyeing some half marathons on the fall calendar. I'm on the "run a lot, mostly slow, sometimes fast" plan, doing a long base build and trying to get faster overall or at least to cancel out the effects of aging as much as I can. All the best for your marathon training!
Thanks, Eddie! Yeah that race was magical and I think keeping the steady pace was key. Looking forward to seeing what I can get into as I start training this week
Great video. I'm going with Hal Higdon Intermediate 2 along with giving MAF method a shot. I have found Hal Higdons plans worked for me well. The maf comes in because I'm constantly feeling overtrained and injured. Anyway I'm heading to the Chicago Marathon in Oct and back home here in NYC for the greatest day in New York which is marathon day. Looking forward to running both.
I called Hansons my running bible, i loved the variety and for me it helped massively having pace charts based on my marathon goal, i was the fittest i had ever been as a veteran runner and ran my best build up races and felt totally confident of achieving my goal, ....... sadly two weeks out i sustained a back injury non running related and could not do anything for six weeks, however once i restarted i managed 2 x 50km on subsequent days within 6 weeks of restarting and i do believe the marathon training laid an excellent base for me to tap into, hope to use it again someday, good luck with your running journey, best wishes Somerset UK
Thanks for your insight.I’m on week 8 of marathon method.Feeling the tiredness already,my family are in bed at 05.54 and here’s me about to go for a 10 mile run.Your video has given me the lift I needed
Thanks for sharing that Kori. I'm working remotely with Greg McMillan for my fall marathon. Last year I followed a spreadsheet plan from who knows where! I finished my first marathon (at 62 years old) but was trashed. I expect this year to be better.
I totally agree with your assessment. I found it frustrating at times that because you must sandwich those sos runs in-between the easy/off days there is minimal flexibility in the workout schedule. I caught myself on many occasions doing my 9 mile tempo runs after midnight because family obligations still came first. With that said, there's nothing like the feeling of reaping the rewards on race day of following the plan. I'm a big guy too and have always negative split this plan.
First marathon in October and made an excel spreadsheet with a gradual 5-10% increase per week with two deload weeks and a taper, has a graph to show kms to current kms (per week) and the weekly plan. Weeks generally comprise a tempo and threshold run (Tue & Thurs), long run that is between 30-35% of my total weekly kms and then recovery/T2 runs throughout with a few strength exercises (normally just body weight stuff).
I used Hanson's advanced program for Boston 2021 and purchased a Boston-specific (55 miles per week) program from Hanson for Boston 2022. Put me in the thumbs-up category. The cumulative fatigue and subsequent, brief taper leaves one feeling strong on race day, as you noted. The difference in feel of the in-race miles, as compared to how hard the MP miles feel during the training, is pretty remarkable. The program emphasizes the importance of active recovery through truly easy running (a concept i now notice everywhere online), which can represent half of your weekly mileage. The author of the book has verbally indicated that the beginner program in the book may well be characterized as more of an intermediate program, in line with your prior video and current comments.
I tried Hanson's last year. At first the increase in volume over my previous plan was awesome, I felt myself getting stronger. But then there is that huge jump in volume between weeks 5 and 6 and my body wasn't ready for it. I got injured. But I learned a lot from that injury and realized what I needed to do to develop my body for that kind of volume.
Such great info about Hansons method! I’ve actually skimmed through his books and wasn’t super sure about them. I’m currently just trying to build a base and be consistent before I plan a race!
Good video Kori. I agree HMM Beginners isn't for true beginners. But I like their concepts of cumulative fatigue and not taking the long run longer than 3hrs. Earlier this year, I coached my daughter in her first marathon using some of these ideas and she had a good experience and I didn't hear any complaints about feeling tired during training. About 20weeks of training, 5 days per week, peak week of 36miles and 500miles pre-marathon total training. There was a block of 8 weeks where she was training 5-6hrs each week but most of that was on the Sunday long run. I based all runs on time not miles. As she hadn't run for about six months before training I had to build up her general mileage over the first two months to be able to cope with the 5+ hours so we didn't really get to work on her speed. She ended up running 4hr35 with a negative split and picking up the pace from 17 miles despite never having run further in training. She even ran the final kilometre at 9min/mile pace!
My last (CIM 2022) I used a plan from Advanced Marathoning by Pfitzinger. It helped me set pretty significant PRs in both the 1/2M and M this year, over times a decade younger. I'd say it's pretty 'standard'. Previously I'd used Hal Higdon plan. Another thing that I think helped was a strong base of easy running (think MAF, 80/20).
Thanks for the video. Starting training at the end of May for my first marathon in October, and I am reading the Hanson book. I'm looking for a plan that works for me and this one seems interesting. Going to watch your other videos on this next!
I'm in the middle of this method now. Been my 110 days of running preparing for my (I can say) 1st marathon race at the end of this October. Yokohama Marathon. Yes, it's exhausting beyond words 😂 Nevertheless, I'm enjoying it!!! 💪
Very nice video! Loved your opinion! For my training plan I've made a mix between Hal Higdon's Novice 2 plan and the Science of Running book by Chris Napier. I've kept the overall mileage structure from the Hal Higdon plan, ramping up the mileage steadily over 3 weeks with a 4th "rest" week. But instead of only having easy runs (as the Novice 2 plan has), I've added 1 speed session during the week that alternates every week. I got this speed session from Chris Napier's book. So 5 runs a week. 3 easy, 1 workout, 1 long. Hope your marathon training is going well! Keep at it! And keep up the great vids :)
Thanks, Tristan! That sounds like a good plan! I think there's definitely something to be said about customizing your plan when you figure out what really works for you. I think I might take a similar approach this time around.
I have the Hanson book. They have a Just Finish plan in there. I am currently training for my first marathon, Steamtown in Scranton PA. I'm using the Hal Higdon app, Novice 1. But I'm super interested in trying a Hanson plan down the road.
I’m coached by Lindsey Herman! She’s also coached by David Roche, if you’ve heard of him. He and his wife, Megan, are the founders of Team SWAP (Some Work, All Play) Lindsey applies a lot of his principles: runs based on RPE, stride days, hill repeat days, back to back long runs, and interval runs. She’s an absolute gem and I’ve recommended 3 or 4 people to consider her as a coach 😁
Awesome video and very happy I saw this. I'm planning for my first marathon this year and was looking at Hanson's. Question: how'd you handle that massive mileage increase between weeks 5 and 6? I've read the Hanson's book and wasn't quite satisfied with their explanation. I find it hard to believe the first 5 weeks would be sufficient for preparing for week 6+
The honest answer is that you just do it. It's not fun and it hurts each time but eventually you just get past the discomfort. Also you're going to be VERY TIRED as the plan goes on.
This will be my 3rd Attempt at the plan. (Injured first time, covid lockdowns the second) This time I am doing the Advanced Plan, to get a Boston Qualifier for my age group. I need to shave off 20 mins from my previous Marathon time.
Thanks so much @@KoriRuns 🙌🏼 I’m excited but a little worried I won’t be able to slow down for my easy runs. Especially if an easy run falls on race day 😳 I have to remember my goal is the marathon and not trying to PR every race or move up a corral. Now I have to answer to a coach and just Vivian 😩🤣 Training starts this Monday. Hope all goes well 🤞🏼🤞🏼 BTW my coach is a tech geek with his Garmin 👍🏼👍🏼😬 Can’t wait to chat about watches 🤣
They do say anything worth doing isn’t easy! Sounded like it did exactly what you needed it to do. I guess you need to get used to that early morning alarm my man! :)
HMM works. I ran sub 2:59 then 2:54 on it. In my opinion, the mileage in the book is too low. The rest/off days are arbitrary and should be skipped. The pace tables are not correct. Follow Jack Daneiel's VDOT tables instead (but do these workouts). I also preferred to add "the simulator" workout 16 miles MP. But hey, at its core, HMM works! I even had Luke sign my book.
The core of Hansons are the SOS workouts. All the easy runs and even the long runs are more for recovery. They don't want you doing 20+ miles so you can recover faster for next week's harder SOS workouts. The beginner plan should be called intermediate plan. No beginner can do 50-60 miles and the SOS are too hard for beginners. If you can do the SOS workouts within the pace that is set, then you see improvements within a couple of weeks, but they are not easy and really push your limits.
My favorite thing is the change in how I look at the workouts. In the beginning of the cycle I approached the SOS workouts with dread. Now (a month out) they're my favorite runs of the week.
It is said that to improve your results you need to change things up a bit, so I am incorporating intervals once a week and some marathon pace miles during long runs. I'm not looking to boost weekly mileage from an advanced plan I've been following the last few times. Also concentrating on proper rest and eating to prevent injury. 😊
I've done Hanson and didn't like it. It maybe the best plan for a seasoned runner who want to take it to the next level but I don't suggest it for any new runner who may be training for their first marathon. I feel the Hanson Method is the quickest way to learn how to despise running.
My first 2 marathons I used the 80/20 method from a book. This one I have a rookie coach, but a he is a fab runner. So let's see are results in a few months 🤔
it is strange.....we have so many responsibilities and make so many decisions in very important topics, but in the most simple part of our lives, running for 3 to 6 hours along a dodded line, we freak out and need somebody to tell us what to do, even after we have done it several times. When i was younger i tried every method, i could find in a book, and i was always searching for something i liked more.....well those days are gone, now i try to balance trust and belief, consistency and diversity, reliability and curiosity, most of all joy and gratitude......i run every time in a way to make sure to be able to run again on the next day edit: it was not the method you chose for your preparation, it was you, who put in the miles to give your body a chance, and it was you, who believed that your body was able to do it, you put trust and belief in your running, consistency and diversity, you had joy and were grateful for not getting injured........we both do the same thing, there is no difference between you and me, other than you still need a small crutch called plan as a safety blanket,,,,we just run
You're totally right. For me the plan is mainly a good way to hold myself accountable, making sure I'm doing the harder workouts that I probably wouldn't do otherwise.
