Read over the notes below, then scroll down to see your beginner's free marathon training plan.free marathon training plan
If you're not able to run 2 to 3 miles continuously without stopping please read the
Marathon Training Beginner
page first. Also, check out the
Marathon Training Tips
page at some point, specifically for advice about how to treat the last two weeks of your training.
You need to keep a few things in mind if you're deciding to undertake this beginner's free marathon training plan.
Always, always, always consult with a qualified physician before beginning or changing any exercise or nutrition program. Also, never run with an injury or think you can run through pain.
You can refer to the
Running Injuries
page or the
Injury Prevention
page to get some information about the pains you might experience during training and to get some practical advice for avoiding common injuries. But again, a qualified physician is the ONLY person who should diagnose or treat any injury.free marathon training plan
During your free marathon training plan try to complete the daily runs without taking any walk breaks. This will help to stretch your endurance. However, during the long runs on the weekend you should use walk breaks. Walking will help reduce fatigue and allow you to recover faster. Depending on your fitness level, plan on taking a walk break every 5 to 15 minutes. Your walk breaks should be about a minute. Take a little longer walk break if you feel overly fatigued.
This free marathon training plan is for someone who does not have any time goal for finishing. If you are trying for a time goal please refer to the Intermediate
Marathon Training Program
, or the Training Plan for the Advanced
Marathon Runner
.
Week
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
1
off
3
easy
off
3
easy
3
easy
off
6
long
2
off
3
easy
off
3
easy
3
easy
off
7
long
3
off
3
easy
off
4
easy
3
easy
off
8
long
4
off
3
easy
off
3
easy
3
easy
off
6
long
5
off
3
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
9
long
6
off
5
easy
off
4
med.
3
easy
off
10
long
7
off
5
easy
off
3
med.
4
easy
off
11
long
8
off
5
easy
off
6
easy
5
easy
off
4
hard
9
off
3
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
12
long
10
off
4
easy
off
4
med.
4
easy
off
13
long
11
off
4
easy
off
4
med.
4
easy
off
14
long
12
off
4
easy
off
6
easy
3
easy
off
10
long
13
off
3
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
15
long
14
off
3
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
16
long
15
off
3
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
17
long
16
off
5
easy
off
7
easy
5
easy
off
6
hard
17
off
3
easy
off
6
med.
3
easy
off
18
long
18
off
4
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
19
long
19
off
4
easy
off
5
med.
3
easy
off
20
long
20
off
5
easy
off
6
med.
5
easy
off
7
hard
21
off
4
easy
off
3
med.
4
easy
off
10
long
22
off
5
easy
off
4
easy
3
easy
off
Marathon
Easy runs should be at a conversational pace, or a pace at which you could talk easily without gasping for air.
Medium runs are obviously slightly faster. By the same measure as easy runs, you should be able to get out a few words at a time without gasping for air. Your breathing should be elevated but not frantic.
Take caution on the hard runs. You want to build into them gradually. Treat the first half as an easy run. Build into medium speed for the next quarter (or half of the remaining half). And the last quarter should be run at a pace where you really feel like your pushing it. Breathing should be very hard, making it very difficult to talk. At the end of these runs make sure you cool down with some slow jogging and at least 10 minutes of gradually brisk to slow walking.free marathon training plan
On one of your days off you can do some cross training if you want. Make sure you keep at least two full days off of any exercise. Check out the
Cross Training
page to get some ideas. Whatever you choose just make sure avoid any exercises that works your legs. You can do some easy walking if you want, but other than that, don't work your legs.free marathon training plan