denotes Subscriber-only content | Friday 25 July 2008 | Personalise | Help  

WIN A PRIZE!

Join Runner's World now

We’re giving away £100 of Asics kit to a new member each month! Sign up and find out more...
why join?  

Members Logon

Email:
Password:
forgot your
password?

Quicklinks

Search

 RACING
 

RW's BIG Marathon Index

Your guide to everything on this site for marathoners

Welcome!

Whether you're hoping to run 2hrs 55 or 5hrs 22, we're here to help you through your marathon build-up with a smile on your face. We can also help whether you've got three months or three weeks to prepare...

Many of our articles and schedules are for everyone. Others - the best we've ever published - are only for subscribers to Runner's World magazine ()* - but don't worry, you can take out a subscription right now, at 30% off. You'll get instant access to all the web articles, plus 12 months of Britain's best running magazine. *(UK edition)

Scroll down for all we have to offer - newsletters, schedules, motivation, forums and much more.

This week's news: What to do if you still need a marathon place


Our essential marathon newsletter

  • We're publishing the UK's best weekly email – free! – to keep you on top of training and marathon news, and to pull you through the dark days when you need us to.

  • It pops in your inbox from December through til April – just request it, free. Find out more here


Training schedules

  • How to choose the right schedule: You know that our schedules are tried and trusted, but which to choose? Better to err on the side of caution to avoid injury if you're unsure, but check our race time predictor first. Running coach Bruce Tulloh also wrote this failsafe guide to getting ready to start a marathon schedule. A good one to read in December.

  • Our schedules We have five sets of marathon-training schedules. (There is also a simplified version of our Garmin and Ultimate schedules on our weekly newsletter):

No-nonsense Schedules 3-Day schedules Garmin-ready schedules FLM Garmin-ready schedules Ultimate schedules
Basic Universal Sub-3:00 Sub-3:00 Sub-3:00
Intermediate Sub-3:15 Sub-3:15 Sub-3:15
Advanced Sub-3:30 Sub-3:30 Sub-3:30
Sub-3:45 Sub-3:45 Sub-3:45
Sub-4:00 Sub-4:00 Sub-4:00
Sub-4:30 Sub-4:30 Sub-4:30
  Get you Round
See schedules See schedules See schedules See schedules See schedules

  • Our no-nonsense schedules are for non-subscribers. They're simple, but they work - they've been tried and trusted by year after year of marathon runners. See the no-nonsense schedules.

  • Our three-day schedules are based on the Furman Institute's schedules and include three good quality runs (two speed sessions and a brisk long run) and two cross-training sessions per week. See the three-day schedules; our forum support thread;a handy Excel version created by RW member SoVeryTired.

  • Our Garmin-ready schedules have been updated. Now, not only can they be downloaded in one file to your Garmin Forerunner 205, 301 or 305, specifically for the Flora London Marathon, but they can also they can also be used for any marathon and any date. We've also added two new schedules for sub-3:15 and sub-3:45 target times. The schedules include target paces and heart rates and session notes, and you can customise your target time and rearrange sessions.

  • Our ultimate marathon schedules are a bit more special. They include a monthly goal and a monthly theme, some more creative sessions, and a little extra guidance about pace. . See the ultimate schedules

  • Our new interactive SmartCoach tool allows you to create your own tailor-made marathon training schedule. Simply input a selection of details and SmartCoach will equip you with a fully-personalised training plan, designed to suit both your racing goals and your lifestyle.

  • 'Hard training': If you're willing to train seven days a week, you can also enjoy schedules and advice from 1983 London Marathon winner Mike Gratton on our Hard Training thread. You don't have to be fast for this, just dedicated...

Starting in December, Mike Gratton will give marathon beginners live advice about their training on our forum

Get inspired, stay motivated

  • Real FLM stories For a sense of just why it's so worth running the Flora London Marathon, these 200 first-hand accounts, long and short, and fast and slow, give an incredible insight – all from forum readers.

  • You can chat London chat Want to tap the knowledge of your fellow runners? Don't be shy - post a message on our busy London Marathon forum
    Among the hundreds of conversations, you'll find some that have become 'meeting places' for people with similar targets. Here are some for 2008:
    sub-3:00; sub-3:15; sub-3:30; sub-3:45; sub-4:00; sub-4:30; sub-5:00; And there will be plenty for runners slower than 5 hours!

Your questions answered

Got a question? The chances are that our experts have already answered it...

And for RW magazine subscribers :

Plus: 'How I overcame...' (for RW magazine subscribers)


The final weeks and the big day...


Everything else you'll need

  • From finding a race to treating an injury to buying a great shoe for marathon training - it's all here - and in Runner's World magazine each month. Let us know if we're missing something...
  • And don't forget your race-day bookings It can make a huge difference for someone to take care of your accommodation, transport to the start and from the finish, storage of luggage while you're racing, and even details such as the right breakfast on race-day. At the Flora London Marathon, two well-established companies offer packages like these: Weston Running Promotions and Sports Tours International.
    If you prefer to go it alone, the earlier you can think about your accommodation, the better.



Bookmark thisPrinter friendly version
Want to send this article to a friend? Please join here
 

Discuss this article, 1 of 23 messages, read more:
Tony Kyte 
Posted: 08/02/07 15:16:49 49
Does anybody know how to enter the New York marathon?
Read more...
Related articles:
Post-Marathon: A Voyage of Recovery Subscribers only
Start your marathon recovery on the right foot
Post-Marathon: A Voyage of Recovery (Preview)
Start your marathon recovery on the right foot (non-subscriber preview)
UK Marathon Calendar 2008
An ecstasy of 26.2 milers for 2008! So we don't know what the collective noun is, but either way, you're spoilt for choice
The RW 2008 Pace-Group Programme
We've been pacing groups round UK races - including the London Marathon - since 1998. Here's how to join our friendly groups.
New Year, New You
Whatever your goals are for the year, this guide will help you look, feel and run your best in 2008.
London: You're Not In (But Don't Worry!)
Don't stop training! We're here to make sure you run a fantastic spring marathon - by hook or by crook...
Runner's World SmartCoach
Our free interactive training tool provides a schedule that's individualised for your ability and goals
Reader to Reader: Train less, run faster?
Can you improve on fewer sessions per week? Here's what you thought
Your First Marathon: Words From The Wise
Top marathon tips from RW forumites
Winding Down - Three Weeks To Go Subscribers only
Everything you need to know and do in the three weeks leading up to your marathon
RW's 60-Second Guides Index
Bite-sized articles for the seriously time-pressed
Become a FIRST-Timer
Adapt these eight principles to your three day a week marathon training programme and see the benefits
The FIRST Three Day A Week Marathon Schedule
Tired of slogging through miles of training? Here’s how to run your best marathon on three training runs a week
London Marathon: Should You Take The Challenge?
How to tell whether the world's most famous race is for you this time round
Supporter's Guide To The Flora London Marathon
The essential guide for all marathoner supporters
FLM: a Mile-by-mile Guide by RW Readers
Spliced together from hundreds of 2005 reader accounts, here's what you can expect at each mile of the FLM
RW Pacing: At The London Marathon
Here's how to find us - and stick with us - among 35,000 runners
RW Pacing: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join a group? What if I drop back? Worry not - reassurance is here
UK Marathon Calendar 2006
When it comes to UK marathons in 2006, you're spoilt for choice
Gratton's Hard Marathon Training Schedules
Ready to train seven days a week for a marathon? 1983 London Marathon winner Mike Gratton shows you how
RW's Quick Marathon Index
A short guide to everything we have for marathoners
Q+A: Marathons: How far apart should they be?
Our experts answer real-life questions
Q+A: Beginners: Can I run/walk a marathon?
Our experts answer real-life questions
RW's BIG Race-Training Menu
Everything about racing: finding a race, training, the big day and beyond... it's our BIG index...
Around The Site In 80 Ways... Articles
The first in an occasional series about how to make the most of your favourite running website: a one-page look at our 1400 articles
Hard Training Q&As: Marathoning
From the forum: former London Marathon winner Mike Gratton on dedicated training
Hard Training - With Mike Gratton
See how former London Marathon winner Mike Gratton advises a cluster of RW members about moving their training to the next level
Victory Stories
Find out how our brave beginners got on at Flora London Marathon
Going Strong
When the going gets tough, the tough get going - our three first-time marathoners show they have real staying power
Ask The Penguin - Every Wednesday!
Chat to the saviour of slower runners - and his coach - every Wednesday at 4pm
Marathon Training: Smooth and Easy
10 classic marathon Q&As, from training injury-free to overcoming dread boredom. Introduced by RW USA editor Amby Burfoot
Progress Makes Perfect
New Year’s resolution – a brief catch-up with our three marathon first-timers finds them well on the way to marathon success
Fund Running
Charity fundraising made easy! 10 simple steps, with real-life examples.
Beginners' Pluck
Meet our three brave non-runners who’ve agreed to let us transform them into trained athletes ready for the Flora London Marathon next April
Channel-Hopping - The Forum Way...
It started as a forum plan last August - the next thing you know, eight forumites set out to run the Paris Marathon, the London Marathon, and the 400km in between...
Carry On Camping
For a few days, at least, forget trying to fit running into the rest of your life – go on a training camp and let your sport take centre-stage
Your Marathon - What First?
How to make sure you're ready for your build-up to the marathon