Emily:
Thanks for writing in. Our plans are written for a single goal as they need to be. As insightful as we are……..not even we can foresee all the possible combinations that folks can dream up. So, this marathon plan is designed to focus on running a good race not running a good race and also making you strong in the mountains. Because you say you are at a beginner level I can 99% promise you that if you complete this marathon plan you will also be much faster moving in the mountains. How can I be so sure? I have coached a pro alpinist for 3 years who decided he wanted to run a sub 3hour marathon last fall. We trained exclusively for that marathon for 5 months. He ran under 3 hours and when he went back to his normal mountain training he was fitter and faster than ever before.
If you want to add some weighted carries for uphill ME then substitute them for the high intensity run training. But, I think you might be surprised how much running a lot helps your fitness in the mountains. it will definitely put you are a new level when you do shift back to more mountain oriented training.
Scott