There are many marathon training schedules available on the internet.  It can be difficult to know which one is right for you.  I live by the philosophy that less is more.  It seems like a good deal when you get the biggest payoff for the least amount of effort.

There are schedules that get technical with speed work and cross training, etc.  I haven’t used these techniques myself in my training.  Maybe I will get more hardcore in the future, but up until now my focus has been on finishing without feeling beat up.

There has been more research on training fewer times per week and building to a shorter long.  This is a break from the traditional line of thinking for marathon training.  People are having good results, though, training on as few as 3 days a week.  There are programs recommending the longest long run be only 16 miles.

I can tell you that this has been my approach.  I built to 18 miles my first marathon, and only 15 miles on my last two.  I have definitely been a 3 days per week runner (sometimes only 2!).  I have felt really good after all three marathons.

My marathons have been slow, and part of this was because I chose to run with partners.  I have yet to see what I can do on my own.  Speed has not been my goal in the past.  I do plan to take it to the next level in the future.  Of course (dare I even say it), I would love to reach the pinnacle of marathons:  The Boston Marathon.  That would require some serious speed.

Here is a good training schedule to get you started.  It is a pretty typical approach.  It should be adjusted to fit your lifestyle.  You can also adjust it to a less is more schedule of 3 days a week or a shorter long run.

Whatever you choose to do for your training, just know that you are embarking on a very exciting adventure.  You will join a club which has very few members, statistically speaking.  Nothing beats the feeling of marathon day.  The feeling in the air is indescribable.  Well…you’ll see.

16-Week Marathon Training Schedule