Browse More Plans

Running: Marathon, Beginner: 3.0 to 6.25 or 7.5 hrs/wk

Browse More Plans

Running: Marathon, Beginner: 3.0 to 6.25 or 7.5 hrs/wk

Author

Gale Bernhardt

All plans by this Coach

Length

14 Weeks

Plan Description

This 14-Week training plan is for the runner looking to step-up to a new distance and successfully complete a 26.2-mile event. Personal speed records will come at another race. The beginner plan is written for athletes intending to run, or run and walk, the event at a pace between 12 and 16 minutes per mile (finish time at 5:14 to 7:00). If you use the training plan “as is”, it is a 14-week program. Before beginning the plan, you should be capable of running or run/walking four days per week. The description of the first week of the plan should seem easy for you.

The first week of the plan has you running three or four days. Monday is an optional day of walking, Tuesday is a 20-minute run, Wednesday is an optional 30-minute bike ride, Thursday is a 30-minute run, Friday is a day off, Saturday is a 45-minute run and Sunday has two options. On Sunday you can do a run/walk workout or use a bike ride to build endurance. What? Why bike rides to prepare for a marathon?

In coaching multisport athletes I found cycling can be used to prepare people to run long distances without the joint-pounding stress that running creates. In the case you don’t have a bike or don’t want to use cycling to train for this event, there is a run scheduled in the plan for you to use on Sunday. So, all Wednesday bike rides are optional for everyone and the Sunday workout is a long bike OR a run, but not both.

Training hours range from 3:00 to 6:25 (run only) or 7:30 (cycling included)

Find the supporting documents you need to help you with this plan at this link.

You can find more training plan choices at THIS HOT LINK.


How it Works

Load Your Plan

Quickly view upcoming workouts in the TrainingPeaks app.

Workout and Analyze

Upload completed workouts from your favorite tracking app or device.

Track Your Progress

Get feedback, stay on top of your training and perform at your best.

Learn More

Training Plan Sample Week

Stats

Average Weekly Breakdown

Workouts Weekly Average Longest Workout
Custom x3
01:09:00 01:45:00
Run x3
02:20:00 02:45:00
Bike x2
01:52:00 03:00:00
Day Off x1
—— ——
Workouts Per Week Weekly Average Longest Workout
Custom
01:09:00 01:45:00
Run
02:20:00 02:45:00
Bike
01:52:00 03:00:00
Day Off
—— ——

Training Load By Week


This plan works best with the following fitness devices:

  • Heart Rate Monitor

All supported devices

Gale Bernhardt

Gale Bernhardt Consulting Inc.

I offer one-on-one, completely personalized coaching for athletes that want customized training.

For athletes that enjoy self-coaching, but need a bit of help, I offer phone consulting services.

You can find more information about these services on my website www.galebernhardt.com


  • This plan includes a Free Basic TrainingPeaks Account.
  • Access your training plan anywhere on the TrainingPeaks mobile and desktop apps.
  • Track your performance with robust data tracking and detailed graphs.
  • Plan for your event in the TrainingPeaks calendar.
  • Track your weight, sleep, hours, fatigue and stress while you train.
  • Completed workouts sync with popular apps like Garmin and Wahoo. Learn More
  • If plan includes Structured Workouts, then planned workouts sync to compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time. Learn More

Refund Policy

This plan is protected by our Refund Policy and may, with the author's approval, be exchanged for a plan of equal value from the same author.

Still have questions about this plan?
| Premium

20% Off

Bundle your plan with TrainingPeaks Premium, and you'll unlock our progress-tracking tools, plus the freedom to move workouts to fit your schedule.

$99.99 USD for the first year, billed yearly.

$54.95 - Buy Now