Cross Training Questions

Jeff Galloway's "Marathon: You Can Do It" - Did it work for you?

I have run seven marathons but developed a long lasting injury in my achilles tendon as well as severe recurrent plantar facitis. I have been told that Galloway's method should allow me to resume marathoning but I am skeptical. Does running easy only 3 or 4 days a week really work? Do the weekly workouts provide enough base training to handle the long runs? Do walking breaks help? What kind of cross training did you do? Any stories from your personal experience with this training method would be appreciated. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Galloway's method works, although you won't be breaking any speed records with it. I used it for a marathon and it added about at least 10+ minutes to my time but I found that training was much easier, and I didn't get as run down. Walk breaks make a huge difference for how you'll feel the day after a long run. For cross-training I did elliptical or biking at the gym. I felt that as long as I was religous about the cross training, I had enough of a base. What you'll notice is that the last few long runs get up to high 20s mileage on some of his routines, which with walk breaks can mean a substantial time on your feet - good training, but large time commitment on a few weekend days.
2. Yes! I committed to training for a marathon when my longest distance at that time was a 10K. I was REALLY struggling to increase my mileage so I joined a Galloway program in my town. Not only did I complete 2 marathons that fall (one was a training run), but I did 4 more last year and plan 4 more this year! I have improved my time by over 1 hour since my first marathon (my first was very slow) and have decided to go for 50 marathons in 50 states before I turn 50 (I'm currently 37). Like the other responder, I also do cross training 3 other days per week. I personally prefer strength training. During the week, I will typically run 5 or 6 miles twice a week, then the long runs on Saturday. It's true that the walk breaks really help you to conserve energy and you feel much better at the end of a very long run. My husband had run three marathons before I met him, but none of them were with the Galloway program. He VERY RELUCTANTLY joined me on a training run one day - he was not interested in the idea of walk breaks - and he has been running with the group ever since. He plans to qualify for Boston this coming year. You CAN improve your times with the Galloway program, but you have to do speed work during the week and lengthen your running intervals somewhat. The fact that the training takes you all the way to 26 miles BEFORE the marathon is extremely helpful because you train past "The Wall." The big difference is that after mile 20, when 3/4 of the participants are walking because they've only trained for 20 miles, you still have the energy to pass them and finish strong. Here is a photo of me crossing the finish line this past October with a big smile on the my face! http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=11301&ID=27368339&FROM=photos&BIB=2279 Good luck!