How to Train for a Marathon

Have you ever thought of running a marathon? Races can be strong motivation to stick with a fitness program, accomplish a seemingly impossible goal, raise money and awareness for a worthy cause, or simply make fitness-minded friends. No matter what your current fitness level, here are five things you should know.

Plan Ahead

“It’s not a test you can cram for,” says Janet Hamilton, an exercise physiologist and professional running coach (runningstrong.com) for more than 25 years. “I really encourage people, if they want to train for a marathon, get some miles under your feet first,” she says. “Learn how to run and understand the strategy of metering out your effort for the given distance.” This holds true for a marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), a 10K (6.2-mile), and a 5K (3.1-mile) race.

Understand Your Body

Training your body for distance running means building what Hamilton calls “infrastructure,” internal components that enable you to perform. “You’re asking your body to make changes on a cellular level, to build more blood vessels, to build more enzymes, to build more mitochondria,” she says. “These are little cellular changes that have to take place if you’re going to be able to improve as a runner.”

Find Your Starting Point

Whether you’re an avid runner, a couch potato, or somewhere in between, there’s a way to start that’s right for you. If you aren’t already running, Hamilton recommends starting by walking. Work up to walking at least 10 miles a week, and do this consistently for at least a month, before starting to run. And then, as long as you don’t have any injury problems, begin interspersing some short, 30-second bouts of running, and gradually increase the running portions (see Online Resources for more details).

On the other hand, if you’ve been running regularly for at least six months and clock at least 25 miles per week, including one weekly long run of at least 6 miles, you could start a training program for a marathon—as long as you aren’t dealing with any injuries. And you could be ready in another six months. But even then, it might be wiser to make your first race a shorter one. “I like people to have some experience before biting off a marathon,” says Hamilton.

“Stretch every day,” says Hamilton, “only to the point of a gentle pulling sensation, not to the point of discomfort.” Hold each stretch for about 30 seconds.

Ramp Up Gradually

Walk or run four or five times a week, aiming for distance rather than speed, and increase your total weekly mileage by no more than 5 to 10 percent per week. On a five-day schedule, one walk or run should be longer than the others—about 30 percent of the total. Two others should each be about 20 percent of the total, and the remaining two should be shorter and less strenuous. This approach challenges your body on the longer days and allows it to recover and build strength on the shorter and rest days.

Avoid Injuries

Most often, injuries stem from increasing distance too quickly, running too fast, or not paying attention to strength and flexibility. All-around strength training is a must for everyone, and for walking and running, hip strength is especially important, as it helps to prevent knee problems. Squats are the best exercise.

Stretching calf muscles, hamstrings, and quadriceps, in the front of the thighs, will help prevent injuries. “Stretch every day,” says Hamilton, “only to the point of a gentle pulling sensation, not to the point of discomfort.” Hold each stretch for about 30 seconds.

And, no matter what length of race you aim for, she says, “Give yourself plenty of time to train.”

Know When You’re Ready

When your body is ready for a race, says Hamilton, this is what you should be doing stably and without injuries, for three or four weeks: