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marathon training program

26.2: OBLITERATE

(5 customer reviews)

BEST FOR: Well-trained and experienced marathoners
PREREQS: Runners should have at least three marathons in the past three or four years; have established a solid base (long runs begin at 10 miles and the first week totals 27 miles); an injury free body. You will hit the ground running (literally!), so be mentally and physically ready for that reality.
NUMBER OF WEEKS: 18

Point blank: 26.2: Obliterate the Distance is our toughest traditional running plan, and you should be well-trained and injury free to even consider it. It’s going to take some deep digging and dedication, not to mention a big investment in time.

We want you to have at least three marathons under your belt and a good base in those legs (read: at least five years of running). That said, if you’re after a BQ or a PR, this plan is your best shot. You’re going to come out of this program stronger than ever and ready to take things to the next level. You’ll run hills and mile repeats, hang in during tempo sessions, and spend plenty of time at race pace. You’ll also hammer out eight runs that are 15 miles or longer, but there are two cutback weeks woven into the first 15 weeks before you taper.

From: $100.00

Runner Tee

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  • *Race Date

    Step One: Select your race date:

    If you don’t know your race date yet, please select a date that you estimate will be close to your race date. When you solidify it, let us know and we can change it.

     
    Training Date

    Step Two: Your training will begin on:

    Mark this date in your calendar as your official start date! (If your program has already started, no worries; email us and we’ll help you jump in.)

The Details

We’ll be dialing into your goal race pace on a very regular basis: By race day, it will feel second nature. As you navigate through each week of training, you will hone your mental toughness as surely as your calf muscles. If that sounds intense, it is. But if you are an injury-free recent marathoner and fired up to commit to your most challenging marathon training cycle, you are ready. Better yet? This program supports and guides you every step. Over 18 weeks, you’ll have plenty of time to build, adapt, and be prepped to obliterate your next marathon.

BIGGEST WEEK OF TRAINING: 51 miles + 45 minutes of cross-training + 3 strength circuits

LONGEST LONG RUN DISTANCES: One 22 miler, two 20 milers, one 18 miler, and two 16’ers

CROSS TRAINING + STRENGTH TRAINING INCLUDED? Yes. Every week has one cross-training session and three strength circuits, as well as a prehab routine. Most of the circuits require just your body weight; a few require exercise bands.

WEEKLY OVERVIEW: Five runs; one cross-training day; three strength circuits; one rest day

NUMBER OF RUNS WEEKLY: Five

FIRST AND PEAK WEEK: (workout explained fully in the program)

All your workouts are accessible via a Training Peaks Account. This free training tool will help you chart the nearly daily growth of your endurance base. It also sends you a daily email with your workouts for today and tomorrow so you can plan accordingly.

Coaches Jess + Amy are here to help you over speed bumps and answer your questions—and we promise, they’ll never blow a whistle in your face. Not only have they designed every facet of your program from your first step through your finish line, there’s also a weekly newsletter filled with advice and tips that corresponds to your training program.

What’s more, your coaches also posts a weekly Ask the Coach column on the private Facebook page, where you can comment with anything that’s on your mind. (If you’re not a Facebooker, you can email us with your question.) Finally, we host regular calls to talk through pacing, injuries, and plenty of other helpful + entertaining topics.

In addition to Train Like a Mother Club, you’ll also be invited to join a private Marathon Program club on Strava, where you can track your miles, and a private Marathon Program Facebook page, where you’ll quickly find an army of (funny, empathetic, inspiring) #motherrunner teammates.* You’ll share training tips, stories of good runs and bad, cheer each other on, and push each other out the door. Momentum comes from teamwork, and these programs roll on some serious #motherrunner momentum.

*Please note that your membership in both our Strava and Facebook groups and access to the training program coaches are limited to the duration of your training plan, plus a few weeks for you to bask in the glow of your race and work with the coaches to help plan your next athletic goal and corresponding training plan. Your access to the Facebook group begins when your training plan does. You are welcome to request entry up to one month before your starting date.

Upon registration, you will receive a package stocked with training essentials, including GU Roctane Drink Mix, two GU Energy items (an Energy Gel and GU Chews); a pair of blister-banishing Wrightsock running socks; a 2-oz. bottle of Sweat X Odor Eliminator spray; and an AMR sticker for your water bottle or laptop. Over $25 worth of swag!

(Domestic shipping is FREE for all merchandise and training swag packages. International shipping is not currently available but we invite you to participate in any of our online programs! Just email us at tlamclub@anothermotherrunner.com and we will help you bypass the shipping at checkout.)

QUESTIONS + ANSWERS

We won’t lie. This is an 18-week program that demands your time, energy, and mental focus. You need to be well-trained and injury-free to consider it. If that’s you, great! You’ll challenge yourself on Obliterate the Distance, and, in doing so, set yourself up for a race day like no other.

You’ll go 51 miles in your biggest week, and rack up eight runs that are 15 miles or more.

If that sounds like too much, consider 26.2: CRUSH THE DISTANCE.

Two of the strength routines include resistance bands, so if you’d like to purchase those, that would be a good investment. (Hello, hip stability!)

No. The fee is for the 18-week comprehensive training plan, unlimited support, miles of resources, exclusive podcasts, and swag package, which will help you nail your marathon, both physically and mentally. At the end of the program, you will participate in the organized marathon of your choice; you can also choose to run a marathon on your own, if that works better for you.

Yep—and we’ve heard again and again it’s worth it. Staying committed and motivated during the days, weeks, and, yes, months of training can be ridiculously hard. If you can do that—and these programs are all about accountability and inspiration—race day becomes a celebratory victory lap, not a slog full of self-doubt.

Within a few weeks of registration, every participant in a Train Like a Mother program receives a stocked swag package with some of our favorite training essentials. Domestic shipping is now FREE for all merchandise and training swag packages.

We are no longer able to ship internationally, including to Canada. That said, we invite all international runners to participate in any of our online programs! Just email us at tlamclub@anothermotherrunner.com and we will help you bypass the shipping at checkout.

We definitely want this to work into your life and your running lifestyle. You can email us within two weeks of starting the program and we will set you up with another plan or a partial credit for an upcoming challenge. We will not be able to issue a straight-up refund.

With a smart training plan, doable strength training, and advice on foam rolling and other self-care, we’re going to do our best to keep you injury-free. That said, if you have an injury or illness that totally slays your training, let us know within two weeks. We’ll work with you to get you a partial credit for an upcoming program.

THE REVIEWS

Additional information

Runner Tee

Size

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Reviews (5)

5 reviews for 26.2: OBLITERATE

  1. Diane (verified owner) –

    I absolutely love this plan! Have used it for Chicago, Eau Claire and Berlin! PR at Berlin with a BQ to boot. I’ve changed up some of the workouts here and there because this plan is tough. But the cut back weeks make it doable. The strength is great too. My only criticism would be I did not like the Monday off day. I prefer a weekend rest day to spend on kids activities and with family. So I had to switch my long run to Fridays and do my recovery runs on Saturdays then off Sundays. This was relatively easy to switch by changing the marathon day a little in Training Peaks. Also I think 2 speed days per week is a little risky for injuries even for an advanced plan especially since some of the long runs include marathon pace work as well.

  2. Gina (verified owner) –

    I am a long time listener to the Train Like a Mother Podcast and was thrilled to give the training plans a try! I used it for Chicago and now again using for Boston. Before this plan, I had used the same plan for about nine years and was hesitant (you us marathoners) to change my workout schedule. I can definitely say that I am so glad I did. The comments above are also what I would want for changes. I’d much rather have a rest day on a Sunday. :). Also if the strength training incorporated free weights would be helpful too.

    Thanks so much for the awesome guidance your podcast and awesome running plans!!!

  3. Kristen (verified owner) –

    I’ve used several TLAM plans – and I love that they have different plans for different goals. I followed this plan to train for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN- and thanks to the supportive community of BAMRs and fantastic coaching advice (including some modifications so I could manage some aches and pains and avoid injury) – was able to finish under the BQ time for my age group. I loved the support along the way from the Facebook group, the podcasts, the opportunity to connect with coaches for specific questions, and knowing that I had an entire community of mother runners cheering for me. I’ve used both the Crush and Obliterate plans – and both are challenging, but this one is no joke. Totally worth every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears – and there were a little of each!!

  4. Jennifer (verified owner) –

    Having run several marathons where I previously used free training plans, I was ready for a change. I wanted a challenging running plan where strength training was integrated and made me feel accountable. Completing the required runs is usually not an issue for me but consistent strength training is. This plan incorporated strength moves which were easy for me to learn and practice, and I came to enjoy the strength circuits as a part of the training. I also appreciate the responsiveness from Coach Amanda and the TLAM staff. I sent a few training-plan related questions via email and response message were returned to me within 24 hours – awesome! Because of a cancellation of my marathon and my decision to run a different marathon three weeks later, Coach Amanda modified the original training plan to fit this new marathon schedule. Coach Amanda’s assistance provided guidance and direction when I was struggling to determine what to do after my initial marathon was cancelled, and I am very grateful for that. Thank you!

  5. Kara Brown (verified owner) –

    I used the Obliterate plan for my 5th marathon, Philadelphia 2021. I was trying to BQ and would have needed to shave 15 minutes off my PR. I felt great throughout the training program and honestly felt that the BQ was possible with this plan. The mileage seemed heavy but when I got into it I was the happiest and fittest I’ve been in a long time and I managed to fit in all of the runs. Every day I could feel results and improvement; I enjoyed the discipline and had a great crew to support me. I ended up with a torn tendon as my taper began, which I attribute to a bad shoe decision. I ended up not running for about 2 weeks and then still doing the marathon with support from my doctor. It turned out to be my 2nd best out of 5, despite the injury. I did not BQ but had decided to be kind to myself and just enjoy the experience without making my injury worse. I stopped for the bathroom, gave my kids a kiss at mile 25 and was just thrilled to be out there after all of my hard work. I am already looking forward to using this plan again for my next BQ attempt, the California International Marathon 2023. This plan will get me there, I have no doubt. Thanks to AMR for all they do for our awesome running community.

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