HOW FAR Do You Need To Run To TRAIN FOR A MARATHON?

**NOTE** This video was filmed before COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines were brought in.

A marathon can seem like a LONG way at 26.2 miles, but how far do you actually need to run in training in order to run a marathon? There is lots of different advice out there, and in this video we take a look at the various schools of thought and try to get to the bottom of how far your longest run needs to be, and how far you should be running in training in general.

↓↓ Are you deep into marathon training, or just embarking on training for one? Let us know how you’re getting on, what your target is, and whether you’ve got any tips for other runners out there! Comment below! ↓↓

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[runningchannel]

Are you deep into marathon training, or just embarking on training for one? Let us know how you’re getting on, what your target is, and whether you’ve got any tips for other runners out there! Comment below!

[joelmathews]

I think The Running Channel should start a podcast of their own )

[tshenolomolokwane]

The struggle between kilometres and miles 🥺

[mikep]

I have been running 1.5 miles in the morning and running “long run” on weekends, every week I add 1 mile, building up to tapper down when summer time comes. Tomorrow is my 11th week (11 miles for tomorrow). Super comfortable and easily manageable 👍🏼

[IainMabbott]

I'm just starting a 12 week marathon training programme so this was perfect timing!

[meridethroseman]

it was so nice to see you guys together even if it was pre covid. love yall

[heathermalin]

Thank you thank you!! Your videos are always so positive and informed. I have a marathon in 4 weeks and I'm stuck at 16 miles, struggling to hit milage above this. But you've made me feel more relaxed about just continuing on my training and working towards race day. ❤️

[filmic]

For my first Montreal Half, I got to 15km before going for the full 1/2 during my training. A buddy said, you just did 15km, you sure can do the 21k. Boosted my confidence and did do the 21km on my own. During the cool of the day though and some of it on gladed trails. Montreal Marathons are always on hard hot pavement. A fellow I know runs several full marathons/year!!

[jegankandiah]

I was a runner. I did the Eastleigh 10K back in 2007 in about half an hour, before my head injury

[marktimmons]

Great video. Thanks for all the good tips.

[liamgaming-d]

I would love podcasts geared towards distance, breathing, form etc where you could listen to stay present while running.

[jasonmistry]

Excellent advice as usual guys. I will apply this to my half marathon goals

[nhcentral]

Thanks so much for this (and the other vids) Anna and Kate. I've always had a "loose" training regime and always been too nervous to taper properly (especially when I've under trained). 2021 will be the year to do them "The "Running Channel" way.

[keyowilson]

So after I did my last virtual marathon on Thanksgiving, I decided to focus on getting my time down from 4 hours. In fact, I recently decided on a target goal of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

In the past, my weakness has been to train too aggressively, so this past week I have been focusing on running more miles at an easy pace. Yesterday I did 12 miles but pretty much maintained an 8 minute pace until the last mile. I have been following a sub 3 hour training plan the last couple weeks.

Before I run early in the morning, I only drink water and don't eat anything. Originally it was because I just didn't feel like eating before the run, but I read somewhere that it can train your body to run with no immediate energy or something like that. I do find, however, that I need to eat a protein bar, banana, and Gatorade immediately after. Obviously I would eat a good meal on race day, in hopes of using that energy for the run, so that's my plan.

Speaking of race day, I'm looking at 2 marathons for next year, one in April and another in November. My goal is the 2023 Boston Marathon, because the qualifying time for me is 5 minutes longer than in 2022. So I'm looking forward to that!

[davesharratt]

I had 5k focus in first half of 2020 and 10k focus in second half. Switching to HM focus for 2021 and will only move on to FM when I got my HM goal. But HM goal may involve training up to 20 mile runs for aerobic improvement so I'm keeping aware of how it fits into future training. My plan is to do HM without fuelling probably so that is one area I will need to review most for FM.

[joelgriffitts]

I started training for a Jan 30th marathon in earnest at -7 weeks, so a fast build-up. I've focused on slow pace to ramp up mileage fast without such a high risk of injury. The low-heart-rate approach has been heavenly compared to my old way of training way too fast. After just two weeks in this build, I ran 20 miles today with relative ease. I ran it faster than my daily easy pace, with a few miles near race pace. I took two gels for practice, and they injected wonderful energy into my muscles in those last 7 miles. The 20-miler is as much about building confidence and familiarity with the distance as it is about the physiological adaptations that come with it. With this build so fast, I won't cut back mileage for any of the weeks, but I'll stick with the easy pace for 90% of my running. I hope to squeeze in two more 20+ milers before the race. Excited!

[raysollarsthehappyjogger]

Currently, I am preparing for a half marathon on a 12 week program. I just completed week 4. Next year I plan to run my 1st full marathon after I do one more half marathon race. Thanks for the information. I am using the "Hal Higdon" schedules which are in line with a 20mile long run and taper afterward.

[pandajay]

I don't do any runs by mileage anymore. I've found that running for 3 hours has little more benefit than running for 2 hours so I'm trialling doing more 2 hour runs instead and will see how I get on with my spring marathon! Suits me as I never enjoyed 20 mile runs!!

[avivgol]

Great timing! Running my first marathon in mid-February and hoping for a sub 4

[dominofuel]

Great tips! I'm running a marathon this March, so I'm early on in the building phase right now (or rather de-escalating as I've been ultra training since June or so). My key long run will be 20 miles with the last 8 at goal race pace, which is 7:25/mile.