MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE

Here is my marathon training schedule that I've put together for my next marathon in 2010, after, trial and error, under-training for my last two marathons and paying for it dearly.

Feel free to use it all, use parts of it, or throw it out completely and make your own schedule. Notice that I start with a minimum of 4 mile runs, so if you are not already comfortable running 4 miles, you're going to want to build up to that first.

WeekMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
week 1pilatescalisthenics4-5mile ezweightsoff6-7mile4-5mile ez
week 2pilatescalisthenics4-5mile ezweightsoff6-7mile4-5mile ez
week 3pilatescalisthenics4-5mile ezweightsoff7-8mile4-5mile ez
week 4pilatescalisthenics4-5mile ezweightsoff7-8mile4-5mile ez
week 5pilatescalisthenics4-5mile ezweightsoff8-9mile4-5mile ez
week 6pilatescalisthenics4-5mile ezweightsoff8-9mile4-5mile ez
week 7pilateshill training4-5mile ezweightsoff9-10mile4-5mile ez
week 8pilateshill training4-5mile ezweightsoff9-10mile4-5mile ez
week 9pilateshill training4-5mile ezweightsoff10-12mile4-5mile ez
week 10pilateshill training4-5mile ezweightsoff10-12mile4-5mile ez
week 11pilateshill training5-6mile ezweightsoff12-14mile4-5mile ez
week 12pilateshill training5-6mile ezweightsoff12-14mile4-5mile ez
week 13pilatesspeed training5-6mile ezweightsoff12-14mile4-5mile ez
week 14pilatesspeed training5-6mile ezweightsoff16 miles3-4mile ez
week 15pilatesspeed training5-6mile ezweightsoff12 miles3-4mile ez
week 16pilatesspeed training5-6mile ezweightsoff18 miles3-4mile ez
week 17pilatesspeed training5-6mile ezweightsoff12 miles3-4mile ez
week 18pilatesspeed training5-6mile ezweightsoff20 miles3-4mile ez
week 19pilates4-5mile ez4-5mile ezweightsoff12 miles3-4mile ez
week 20pilates4-5mile ez4-5mile ezweightsoff6 miles3-4mile ez
week 21pilatesgood stretchrun 40 minrun 30 minrun 20 minrun 10 min, good stretchMARATHON DAY

You might like to alternative pilates with some other aerobic workout. I choose pilates because it helps strengthen the abs, core, and get in a good stretch. For more on alternatitve areobics, see total fitness.

Your training runs (calisthenics, hill training, speed training) will probably be harder than your long runs, but they are very important. These will help make you a faster, more fit runner.

Calisthenics

Hill Training

Speed Training

Weights are not about bulk, just strength to make your runs easier on your joints. For more about weight training, see total fitness.

It's also important to stretch before and after your runs and other workouts. Here are some stretching techniques.

The off day is very important in your marathon training because your body needs time to recover.

Take it easy - make a schedule that works for you and don't beat yourself up or try to do extra to make up if you miss a training here and there. As long as you stick to AT LEAST 75% of this schedule, run at least 3 days / week, and do one other kind of workout at least 1 day a week, you will do fine. But remember, the better you train, the easier you will make it on yourself, come marathon day.

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