How Best to Mix Marathon Training with TrainerRoad

Training
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A little background, I’ve been primarily a cyclist for the 15 years. I’ve been pretty consistent with TrainerRoad since about 2017-18, consistently doing about 5k miles per year. However, I decided to pickup running last year at 34 years old. At first, it was just to fight boredom, but now, I’ve decided I want to do a marathon in the fall.

Starting last year, I’ve been mixing my TrainerRoad plans with a plan generated by “Runna”. My main focus for cycling has always been mtb and cx, so I’ve left my TrainerRoad plan with my A events being the season finale mtb and cx races locally even while doing the running plans on the side.

I think, this means that my running plan never really lined up with my TrainerRoad plan. This never really bothered me as I was basically only training for a 5k, which wasn’t a big ask imo.

Now though, looking forward to trying for a marathon, I think I might need to have a bit more synergy between my two plans.

I’m wondering for those of you who’ve tried this, what TrainerRoad plans might best compliment running? Also, in plan builder, I obviously can’t add a run as my “A” event, but should I add a 3 hour road race on the day of my marathon to trick the plan into building towards that date?

For cycling, I will likely stick with a LV approach, as this has always done good for me in the past, but given additional running. I’m wondering, should I move to more of a masters LV approach?

Yes, I know this is kind of rambling.

I’ve posted a similar question in various running forums, but honestly, the advise isn’t what I want to hear. Everyone seems to tell me my running volume (3 days per week) simply isn’t enough and that I need to sacrifice cycling to have any hope of completing a marathon. Personally, I’m not willing to sacrifice my cycling fitness. I’m happy to not make cycling gains this summer, but I don’t want to go backwards.

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Hey @Benjamin_Reynolds :slight_smile: It’s so cool that you’re considering a marathon!

I started trail running about 2 years ago and have completed a handful of 35-46k trail races, and I can tell you that running has a much bigger toll on the body than cycling has :grimacing: So I think you’re on the right track with a Low Volume Master’s plan if your main focus will be running. And then I would just pick the cycling discipline you’ll be racing, no need to trick it! I would just make sure you’re listening to your body (mostly at the beginning) to make sure you’re recovering extra if needed.

The good thing is that you won’t be going backwards with this recipe haha, if anything you’ll be much stronger when complementing both sports. Funnily enough, the bike has become a good source of tension release from running for me, and I enjoy it much more. Plus, if you’ll be racing CX this season, you’ll have a great advantage!

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I was in the same situation at a slightly younger age.

  • Some suggested using a triathlon training plan on TR and removing the swims.
  • What you’re doing now, by following a TR plan and a Runna plan is essentially planning for disaster. Both are assuming you are fully committed to that one plan and built to take you close to the edge of exhaustion. Doing both will get you there very soon and not sustainable. RLGL from TR will help you here but i dont think it ideal to try and stack both on top. I think you’re finding this.
  • Some suggested following a standard marathon plan (hal higdon has great ones) and replacing some of the recovery or weekly short runs with z2 spins of a similar time. I think this suggestion works well for established runners, though if you’re coming from a non impact sport background, those weekly short runs are actually quite crucial in building up the muscular endurance to feel strong through 26 miles. I started with loving the idea of this approach, then realized my cardio was not the issue with long run, it was strength - so i needed more time running vs training my cardiovascular system.
  • I had to make choices about which events I really cared about. This meant spending most of the winter and spring on the bike and then finishing my cycling events in June which promptly marked the start of my running build.
  • Sounds like you’re excited about Marathon training but dont want to ‘give up’ cycling. Its not giving up, it’ll be there later - and run training does absolute wonders for bike fitness once you get back to training. Dont feel that the running is taking away from cycling.
  • You can still go ride your bike - it just doesn’t need to be structured training. If possible, do this as a double day after a run leading into a planned rest day.
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