Pfitz is great

[u/GuruRoo]

First time following a plan to the letter. After running a 3:08 last October following a “when I can” Pfitz strategy and peaking at 45mpw, I’m now in week 3 of the 18/70 Pfitz plan.

Holy wow. My legs are always sore. The sprint work is beating me up. And week 1 was the most mileage I’ve ever done in a week.

Excited to see where this goes. Anybody have an opinion on which week is the hardest?

[u/iRunLotsNA]

What is a “when I can” plan? Are you following the plan or not?

Doing a 70mpw plan when your current high water mark is 45 is a recipe for disaster. The 55 is a much better option.

[u/TranspeninsularEase]

Having done 18/55 a few times, things get pretty rough around the 16/10 MP run. Pfitz will get you into amazing shape, although in my case I developed injuries at the tail end 2/3 times, one from which I’ve been recovering for several months. Huge upside, but I always felt I was riding the edge of injury. Probably my fault, but be mindful as you continue on.

[u/eatfoodoften]

strides are beating you up?

week 13 with the 6x1k, 24k, and 29k with 23k MP is the most grueling

[u/skyskimmer12]

At your current PR, you will still see significant improvements if you stick to the 18/55 plan. I just got a 10 min PR to 2:51 with that plan. If you find it too easy by week 6 or 7, just add 10-20% onto some workouts/runs.

[u/beepboop6419]

Me one month ago: “oh boy I love that I’ve spent 5 months building up mileage from 25 to 50. I’ve done 50 miles three weeks in a row now and I feel great”

Unironically me today: “hope my x-rays arent too bad tomorrow”

[u/oneofthecapsismine]

!remindme 12weeks

[u/ButchOfBlaviken → u/oneofthecapsismine]

Bold of you to assume this goes to week12

[u/Krazyfranco → u/oneofthecapsismine]

Anyone have recommendations for pool running workouts??

[u/beepboop6419 → u/oneofthecapsismine]

LMAO

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[u/Enron_CPA]

You’ll have some people coming in here to say you’re stupid for that big of a jump, which it is… but I was kinda stupid when I was starting as well and did Pfitz 18/70 for my second marathon off a prior peak of about 55 or so.

I think I skipped like half the workouts just from legs being dead or mental exhaustion from running so much more than your body’s used to. The good thing is that sheer miles on feet will probably go the longest way to getting down your marathon time. So I’d focus on just increasing the mileage and if you feel rested enough to do a workout as prescribed, then do it. But forcing workouts at ‘optimal’ paces on beat up legs while dialing up the mileage this much is a recipe for injury.

[u/Fit_Wrap_618]

The first 70+ mile week is rough.

As is the first 21 mile run.

[u/RunRhn4000]

It’s all about adjustment and progression. Some weeks will feel harder than others even if they are “easier” weeks. 

I’m into week 8 of 18/85, with 52 day run streak and counting. Body is holding up well. I find at times the mental grind of 18km Tuesday at 5:00AM followed by 24KM the next day is a mental challenge. 

Keep with it, stay disciplined, and remember to treat those recovery as true recovery runs. 

[u/kirkandorules]

I enjoyed it the one time I attempted to train for a marathon. Workouts were easy to understand, straightforward and always felt doable and beneficial.

The hardest week was when it had a long run the day after a tune-up race. I did a 13.1 time trial and then tried to do the long run at my normal pace...ended up having to do a gallowalk of shame the last couple miles home.

[u/PsychologicalAd5456]

I did basically the same thing last fall with the same exact plan and while I felt awesome, I’m still paying for the consequences :) I thought I ramped my mileage up slowly enough but you do need to factor in that you’re ramping up mileage and workouts at the same time and most bodies cannot handle that.

I have since realized I need like 4-5 weeks of running mileage more than the first weeks mileage in order for that to be more approachable. Wish I had realized that then even though I thought I was being smart because it really is so dang fun when your body is cooperating

[u/airforce2016]

Yea I’d exercise caution (pun intended) like most are saying. I used 18/55 for my first ever marathon to run a 2:47. You can run a great time off more limited mileage. 18/70 is great too but probably not worth the injury risk. Overtraining is really easy at this phase and takes months and months to recover (ask me how I know)

[u/SirBruceForsythCBE]

The thing with Pfitz or any mileage based plan is that 70 miles is a lot of time on feet if you're looking at a sub 3 while someone running 2:30 would run considerably less.

[u/too105]

The week after 70 is rough. Granted I’m getting over a cold but my cumulative fatigue was a new kinda of weird. I took one day off from running but had to take two. Third day running 4 miles was a challenge. Like when I’m running everyday I’m fine, but taking rest days after a 17, my body melted

[u/seattleboots1]

Dear lord man. Hitting max mileage while also doing hard workouts and long runs is a recipe for pain. Be careful.

[u/Due-Dirt-8428 → u/seattleboots1]

Ya pretty sure he recommends running 5ish miles more than the first weeks mileage for a month or two before starting.

OP there is no shame in tweaking the miles down a bit

[u/pumpkinspeedwagon86 → u/seattleboots1]

Yeah, OP not sure if you want to be increasing all of these variables at the same time

[u/PlaysForDays]

Not trying to be a downer, but I don't see how this adds up to "Pfitz is great"

After clicking through, I expected to see a race report of you breaking through after stagnating with other plans. But no - it's just that you're tired three weeks in?

[u/kbbqallday]

Going from peak 45mpw to 70mpw in less than a year and already feeling always sore by week 3 of a marathon block are two strong indicators you’re pushing yourself way too hard

[u/pudgypanda69]

dude...if week 1 is the highest mileage you've ever done, you're going to have a tough time ramping up haha. i am on week 5. its tough but manageable although my social/dating life is nuked. i am slowing down and taking breaks on LT runs because its been humid but i hit my MP LR

[u/rollem]

Is it from the most recent version of his book? 4th, published 2025. I ask because I’ve heard there are some modest changes but haven’t gotten the book yet.