Your First Marathon - 12 weeks to the Finish Line
Author: Joe Friel
Length: 12 Weeks
Tags: running, marathon
Typical Week: 3 Day Off, 4 Run, 1 Bike
Longest Workout:
3:00 hrs
Author: Joe Friel
Length: 12 Weeks
Tags: running, marathon
Typical Week: 3 Day Off, 4 Run, 1 Bike
Longest Workout:
3:00 hrs
Your First Marathon - 12 weeks to the Finish Line
This detailed 12-week training plan was created by TrainingBible Coaching Head Coach Joe Friel for the first-time marathoner who is fairly new to running. This plan is intended for the runner whose only goal is to finish the race smiling. If you are an experienced runner looking to do your first marathon you may consider one of my other marathon plans based on your goal finish time. Before starting this plan you should have been running for at least 6 months, have completed at least one race of 5k or 10k distance, be free of injuries, have been running at least 3 times a week recently, and have completed a long run of at least 1 hour recently. The plan includes 4 weekly runs in most weeks with 3 in recovery weeks every third week. One or two bike workouts are scheduled weekly to help avoid injury and to speed recovery while maintaining aerobic fitness. Long runs are schedulled for the weekends and build from 75 minutes in week #1 to 3 hours in week #9. All run workouts call for alternating running and walking just as you will do in the race. With this very successful strategy you will avoid training injuries while learning to finish all long runs - and the race - strongly. Your fitness and confidence will soar! A heart rate monitor or pacing device is not required for this training plan but may prove helpful. As a Training Peaks subscriber, if you have training questions, you may post them on the Training Peaks Athlete Forum and they will be answered by a TrainingBible coach. On purchasing the plan you will receive an email within a few days giving you more detailed information on assistance should you have training problems along the way. You may opt to jhave the workouts emailed to you in advance daily, or you can access them on your password-protected free account at TrainingPeaks.com. You should start this plan 12 weeks prior to your marathon. It will guide you day by day to your goal. All you need to do is follow the daily workout schedule. All the best for your training and racing! --Joe Friel
This is an easy run-walk workout today. Start by walking briskly for a couple of minutes before breaking into a slow run. Walk whenever you feel like it.
Run-walk for 30 minutes just as you did on Tuesday. No need to push yourself to go faster or farther today. We'll do that on Saturday.
This is your longest run of the week. If Saturday doesn't work for you it's OK to swap the Saturday and Sunday workouts although it is not quite as good that way as you legs won't be as fresh. But life isn't always on our side, is it? Run for 10 minutes easily and then walk for 1 minute briskly throughout the workout. Drink 1-2 mouthfuls of the same sports drink that will be at the aid stations in the marathon (go to their website to find out what that will be). Start the first run conservatively. In other words, hold back a little at the start. It will feel very easy at first. But if you start too fast it will come back to haunt you in the last part of this run.
Ride at an easy effort on a flat course, stationary bike or indoor trainer. Low effort--light on pedals. Comfortably high rpm. Avoid pushing a hard gear slowly with a lot of effort. It is best to 'spin.' Riding a bike will also boost your aerobic/cardio fitness but without placing undue stress on your legs after a long run.
This is a mini-long day. Alternate running and walking. Run 10 minutes slow and easy and then walk 1 minute briskly. This is best on a mostly flat course or a treadmill. Use the same sports drink that is used in the race. You may buy a waterbottle 'holster' at a running store to make this easier to carry.
Run slow and easy on a flat course or treadmill today for 30 minutes. Or ride your bike for 30 minutes easy on a flat course on stationary bike.
This is a day for building run-specific strength. Run on a rolling to hilly course or a treadmill on which you can alter the grades to simulate a rolling/hilly course. Run up the hills but walk otherwise whenever you feel like it. The uphills are the most important parts of this run today so get all you can out of them. Use the same sports drink that is used in the race.
An endurance coach since 1980, Joe Friel has worked with triathletes and cyclists from all over the world helping them achieve their race goals. He also trains coaches around the world and has consulted with national federations and national Olympic team coaches. Coach Friel offers personal camps, and seminars for clubs and teams, and consults with professional athletes. He is currently not accepting one-on-one coaching clients.