If you're running a marathon this spring, you're about to enter the most critical – and difficult – four weeks of training, when 1) your weekly mileage is at its peak; 2) your motivation may be flagging; and 3) you're most likely to get sidelined
time goal. Most marathon-training schedules require running five or six days per week, with total mileage of 40 to 60 miles. Two of the most successful training wizards think that's too much for many runners. The marathon-training programme developed
Every good marathon-training plan should ‘taper’ during the final two or three weeks. That means you run less and rest more. For some people, the idea of backing off on their training just before the big race seems counter-intuitive. "So many
strategy takes on increasing importance. Training ChecklistYour mileage this week should be about half to two thirds the amount you ran during your highest mileage week.Almost all running should be slow (one and a half to two minutes slower than marathon
worries can skyrocket. But take comfort that thousands of other marathon runners preparing to race this coming weekend are going through exactly the same thing. And take refuge in your final mission: to ensure that your body is sufficiently fuelled
.Sometimes though, there are no excuses. "If you think you're in the same shape as your running group, and they start pulling away, close the gap before it gets too large," says Lowell Ladd, a running coach and 2:22 marathoner. "Better yet, refuse to fall behind
The Fear: Tackling Hard HillsThe Fix: Put it in PerpectiveIn a race, focus on the fact that the hill makes up a tiny percentage of the race distance, advises running coach and former Boston Marathon winner Lisa Rainsberger. To conquer your dread
?Instead of resolving to get faster, lose weight, stretch more or run a marathon, try this: swear on last year’s Training Log to achieve the best possible balance in your running. That’s right – balance.-- By taking a balanced approach to training, you can increase your
some runners get colds all the time? Perhaps they set the alarm an hour earlier for daily morning runs or do marathon training while putting in marathon working weeks. "Research has shown that both lack of sleep and frequent periods of high stress can
