Road to Philly Update: 10 Weeks to Go

While we all wait for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend medal reveal (my bet is we see them the week of 9/22), I figured I'd offer an update on my training for the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon. As I mentioned in my initial post on my run up to Philly, I am making another attempt at a 3:30 marathon using the Pfitz 18/55 training plan. My previous attempts using the Hal Higdon plans (which I love for their simplicity) got me four finishes between 3:34 and 3:43, so I figured I would change things up with a bit more intensity. So how is everything going after eight weeks?

As of this writing I just wrapped up my eighth week of training where I closed out a 54-mile week with my first 20-miler (above). I can confirm: the Pfitz plan is definitely more intense than the Hal Higdon marathon plans. Unlike previous training programs, I'm finding the Pfitz 18/55 ramps up much more quickly in mileage. After a couple "easy" weeks in the 30-something mile range, the weeks jumped into the 40s and then 50+ in Weeks 7 and 8. The Pfitz 18/55 (which is a "beginner" level amongst the higher-mileage Pfitz plans) counts on turning fatigue into acclimation before tapering into the marathon.

The Pfitz plan also incorporates a good deal more speed work. The weekly schedule (which varies greatly from week to week) usually has at least one stride-and-hills or lactate threshold workout during the week, as well as a longer midweek run in the 10+ range, and a long weekend run that may or may not include portions of marathon pace (about 8 min/mi for a 3:30 marathon). The lactate threshold workouts have been the toughest, calling for 9 or 10 total miles with five at a pace equivalent to as fast as I can go for about 35-40 minutes at a time. Even the marathon pace long runs have been tough, but I felt good during my last such run of 16 total miles with 10 holding at sub-8:00.

In addition to the speed work, this training cycle has also had quite a bit of heat in the July and August months. Running in the mornings helped a bit, although the higher morning humidity kept the runs muggy and sweaty. The one tough run that sticks out in my mind was a simple 15-mile long run that took place in the middle of the 90+ degree day due to a busy weekend schedule. It was so far the only run where I was forced to pause a couple times just to cool off a bit. As the fall weather sweeps in I'll be looking forward to cooler runs and workouts regardless the time of day.

Overall, I'm holding up well with the Pfitz plan and feeling good with my training as I approach the halfway point. Having just finished a tough week, I have a couple "down-load" weeks before pushing back up to the 50s. I'm planning on running the Atlantic City Half Marathon in October as a pre-marathon check in, although I'll likely be on tired legs. Moving forward, time will be the biggest enemy for the latter half of training. School is now in session, meaning any early morning run during the week needs to be wrapped up by about 7am to help get the kids out the door. The plan is calling for 14- and 15-mile mid-week runs, which means a very early morning. I'm also working around my men's hockey league schedule, which means I'm choosing between early mornings with late night hockey or running the following day on fatigued legs. If I can just stick to the plan I feel like I'll be ready for Philly in November.