Quick links
- Marathon training hub
- Running pace calculator
- Marathon fueling planner
- How to choose a marathon plan
How to use this athlete guide
Treat this page as a decision checklist:
- Confirm the race date and official logistics on the official site close to race day.
- Use the training timeline above to pick a plan length and a start-by date.
- Practice fueling and pacing in long runs (don’t wait until race week).
- Keep race week simple: tested shoes, tested gels, conservative start.
Picking a plan length (simple heuristic)
If you’re deciding between plan lengths, default to the option you can repeat consistently — not the most aggressive one.
- More time (20–24 weeks): best if you’re building consistency, returning from time off, or want a gentler progression.
- Mid-range (16–18 weeks): works well when you already have a steady weekly base and can keep long runs consistent.
- Shorter (14–15 weeks): only if your base is solid and you’re not forcing a big jump in volume.
If a start-by date has already passed, choose a longer plan (or aim to finish strong and healthy rather than forcing peak mileage).
Course + conditions (what should change in training)
Use the course and conditions blocks on this page to adjust your defaults:
- Surface: Asphalt.
- Course difficulty: unknown.
- Climate context: Typical temperature ~ 18 fahrenheit.
Practical implication: the harder the course or the more variable the weather, the more conservative you should be with pacing and the more you should practice fueling under “imperfect” conditions.
Pacing + fueling defaults
Most marathons are decided late. Until you have training evidence that says otherwise:
- Start slightly conservative for the first 5–10K.
- Fuel early and on a schedule you’ve practiced in long runs.
- Adjust pace targets when conditions are hotter, windier, or hillier than expected.
Tools that make this simpler:
Course pacing signals (what to rehearse)
- Road surface: rehearse steady rhythm and fueling at goal effort (not just easy pace).
- Course profile unknown: verify elevation/profile before setting pacing targets.
- Crowds/wind rule: treat headwinds and congestion as “hills” and stay effort-controlled.
Climate-specific adaptations (gear + fueling)
- Plan for variability: pack one extra layer option and decide pace adjustments before race morning.
- Fueling rule: practice carbs early and on schedule; do not “wait until you feel it.”
Race-week timeline skeleton
- 72–48 hours out: travel buffer, expo/bib pickup, keep meals simple, protect sleep.
- 24 hours out: finalize gear, short shakeout if you like it, hydration + carbs, early bedtime.
- Race morning: warm-up timing, bathroom plan, corrals, conservative first 5–10K.
- Post-race: fluids + carbs, keep warm, light walking, and a calm 48-hour recovery plan.
What to verify (close to race week)
- Start time + corrals/waves + any cutoffs
- Course map/profile + any reroutes (and where the climbs/exposed sections are)
- Expo location/hours + bib pickup rules (ID, proxy pickup, deadlines)
- Aid station spacing + what is provided on-course (fluids, carbs, electrolytes)
- Bag drop/finish-area logistics + transport back to hotel
- Weather forecast (race week) and your pacing + gear adjustments
Common mistakes (avoid these)
Most marathon problems are boring, preventable mistakes — usually from adding novelty late.
- Starting too fast because “it feels easy” early.
- Trying new shoes, gels, or hydration the week of the race.
- Under-fueling early, then “bonking” late.
- Cramming missed training into the final two weeks.
- Ignoring weather adjustments (pace targets should change when conditions do).
If you’re unsure, choose the calmer option: conservative start, steady fueling, and protect your sleep.
Travel + logistics (low-stress default)
If you’re traveling, optimize for the few things that matter: sleep, simple transport, and a predictable morning.
- If possible, arrive 1–2 days early so sleep isn’t a coin flip.
- Keep race-week walking low (save your legs).
- Plan your morning timeline: transport → bathroom → warm-up → corrals.
- Treat anything marked “unknown” here as a prompt to verify on the official site close to race week.
Training guardrails
- Keep easy runs truly easy so workouts stay high quality.
- Progress one variable at a time (volume first, then intensity).
- Use cutback weeks every 3–4 weeks to absorb training.
- If pain changes your gait, scale back and get assessed.
Verification reminder
Race details change between editions (dates move, routes reroute, and registration rules update). Use this page as a starting point, then confirm time-sensitive details on the official site close to race day.