Choosing a Marathon Training Program

So, you’ve been a runner for some time now. You’ve participated in several 5K’s and even a few 10K’s. You’ve grown to love the competition with yourself and others. What is the next step? You may have decided that it is time to conquer the big challenge. Entering a half marathon or marathon. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. When you step up to these types of distances, the very informal training you may have undertaken to compete in a 5K or a 10K will suddenly become very inadequate. Therefore, it is extremely important to find yourself a good training program.

Most marathon (or half marathon training programs) can last upwards of 16-20 weeks. Therefore, starting one is a decision that requires some foresight. It is very important to look inward when choosing a program. You may have your own preferences, habits, or restrictions that will influence what type of program you choose.

So, what are some of the things you need to ask yourself when choosing a program? Here are a few to consider:

• Flexibility - How flexible is your personal schedule? Or, perhaps, more importantly, how inflexible is it? If you have a crazy schedule that has you working early one day, late the next, an organized training program such as a local running club may not be for you. It may become very difficult for you to attend scheduled sessions. On the other hand, if you participate in an online program, you can usually work around unforeseen events such as work commitments or illnesses.

• Clarity - How clear do you need your instructions? If you are the type of person who likes things spelled out for them, you will be disappointed with programs that set paces based on adjectives such as light, heavy, or other similar inexact descriptors. On the other hand, if you like some creative license with your workouts, you will shy away from a program that prescribes your training pace down to the second.

• Cost - If money is no object, your best bet may be to hire a coach for your training. They can set up a training plan designed specifically for your abilities. A purchased online program is generally very inexpensive. Be careful, however, as a low cost alternative can backfire on you. The less investment you make, the better chance you have to abandon the program. Coughing up the extra money for an in-person training group or personal coach can influence your dedication immensely.

• Difficulty - When joining a personal training program or a group training environment, it can be difficult, or even impossible, to get a program tailored completely to your personal goals. Whether you are just trying to survive the race, set a blazing pace, or landing somewhere in between, you need to make absolutely sure that the end game of the training program is in alignment with your own personal goals. If you find this difficult to achieve with your in-person options, check out some online offerings. With little effort, you can find some programs geared towards beginning, intermediate or expert abilities. You can even find programs designed to get you to specific time goals.

So, be aware that choosing a training program is one of the most crucial choices you will make during your preparation for the big race. Do not take it lightly. A marathon can take anywhere from 16-20 weeks to train for, so making a hasty uninformed decision can haunt you for a long time as you prepare. Take the time to do a personal inventory and choose the program for you that will help you reach your goals and prepare your running fitness to the proper levels. Good luck!