MARATHON
TRAINING
PROGRAMS

FIND THE PERFECT MARATHON TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOU

When you’re taking on the motherlode of all races—the glorious marathon!—a marathon training program that fits with your race goal, current running level, and busy schedule is a must, or you’ll be hating life around mile 16 on race day.

Whether you’re a first-time marathoner or ready to set a massive PR, we’ve got a program that will slide nicely into your life and have you crossing the finish line feeling strong and joyful.

WHICH MARATHON TRAINING PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

PROGRAMS / DISTANCE LEVEL NUMBER OF WEEKS RUNS IN MINUTES OR MILES TYPICAL WEEK LONGEST RUN DISTANCE PEAK TRAINING WEEK HEART RATE TRAINING COST

26.2: RUN/WALK THE DISTANCE

 BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE 18 MILES
  • 4 RUN/WALKS
  • 1 WALK
  • 1 OPTIONAL XT
  • 2 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
  • 1-2 REST DAYS
 20 MILES
  • 38 MILES RUN/WALK
  • 7 MILES WALK
  • 2 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
 NO $100

26.2: GO THE DISTANCE

 BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE 18 MILES
  • 4-5 RUNS
  • 1-2 XT WORKOUTS
  • 3 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
  • 1-2 REST DAYS
 20 MILES
  • 36 MILES
  • 1 XT WORKOUT
  • 3 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
 NO $100

26.2: CRUSH THE DISTANCE

 INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED 18 MILES
  • 5 RUNS
  • 1 OPTIONAL XT
  • 3 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
  • 1-2 REST DAYS
 20-21 MILES
  • 45-46 MILES
  • 1 OPTIONAL XT WORKOUT
  • 3 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
 NO $100

26.2: OBLITERATE THE DISTANCE

 ADVANCED 18 MILES
  • 6 RUNS
  • 3 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
  • 1 REST DAY
 22 MILES
  • 51 MILES
  • 1 XT WORKOUT
  • 3 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
 NO $100

HEART + SOLE: MARATHON LEVEL I

 BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE 20 MINUTES
  • 4 RUNS
  • 1 XT SESSION
  • 2 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
  • 2 REST DAYS
 3:15
OR
3:00 IN AM;
1:30-1:45 IN PM
  • 6:45-7:15 RUNNING
  • 2 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
 YES $140

HEART + SOLE: MARATHON LEVEL 2

 INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED 20 MINUTES
  • 5 RUNS
  • 1 XT SESSION
  • 2 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
  • 1 REST DAYS
 3-3.5 HOURS OR
20 MILES
  • 8:30 OF RUNNING
  • 1 XT SESSION
  • 2 STRENGTH CIRCUITS
 YES $140

MARATHON TRAINING PROGRAMS

TRADITIONAL MARATHON PROGRAMS

marathon run/walk

$100

26.2: RUN/WALK
18 Weeks
Learn More >

marathon training program

$100

26.2: GO THE DISTANCE
18 Weeks
Learn More >

$100

26.2: CRUSH THE DISTANCE
18 Weeks
Learn More >

marathon training program

$100

26.2: OBLITERATE THE DISTANCE
18 Weeks
Learn More >

$25

NUTRITION FOR RUNNING: HALF MARATHON AND MARATHON
Learn More >

$70

COACHING CONSULT
Learn More >

RUNNING BY HEART RATE MARATHON PROGRAMS

$140

26.2: HEART + SOLE: MARATHON, LEVEL 1
20 Weeks
Learn More >

marathon training program

$140

26.2: HEART + SOLE: MARATHON, LEVEL 2
20 Weeks
Learn More >

Form Analysis: Run

$80

FORM ANALYSIS: RUN
Learn More >

MEET YOUR COACHES

JENNIFER HARRISON
BECOME A CYCLIST, TRIATHLON, AND RUNNING ∙ HEART + SOLE COACH

Coaching since:1999

Coaching certifications:USA Triathlon Level 1 + 2; RRCA

After a workout, I:EAT!

Two athletic accomplishments:

  1. USA Triathlon All American for 15+ years.
  2. 3x Ironman Hawaii finisher.

Two maternal accomplishments:

  1. My kids are still alive.
  2. Although they may be typical grumpy teenagers, they are kind and say please and thank you. So I did something right.

Don’t ask me to:Stay up past 10 pm or give up chocolate.

Coaching style in one word:Thorough.

ELIZABETH WATERSTRAAT
BECOME A CYCLIST, TRIATHLON AND RUNNING ∙ HEART + SOLE COACH

Coaching since:2007

Coaching certifications:USA Triathlon Level 2 + Endurance; US Master’s Swimming Level III; RRCA + Lydiard

After a workout, I:get right back into real life (most likely start a load of laundry)

Two athletic accomplishments:

  1. 4x Ironman World Championship qualifier.
  2. 8x National Long Course Triathlon Champion.

Two maternal accomplishments:

  1. 3 kids
  2. I cook a mean frozen waffle.

Don’t ask me to:Give up my coffee

Coaching style in one word:Educational.

JESS HOFHEIMER
TRADITIONAL RUNNING PROGRAMS

Coaching since:2009

Coaching certifications:RRCA, VDOT02, Menopause for Athletes, Peak Pilates + Power Pilates

After a workout, I:drink my protein and maybe shower; if I'm pressed for time, I at least give myself a 'bird bath.'

Two athletic accomplishments:

  1. Marathon PR of 3:09; my 23rd marathon at age 45. (I ran my first at age 24 in 5:23!).
  2. Finishing a 50 mile trail race.

Two maternal accomplishments:

  1. According to 16 yo daughter: "Being a reliable friend, confidant, and role model."
  2. "And knowing the right ways to show love, whether it's giving space or smothering us with hugs."

Don’t ask me to:Not brush my teeth upon waking or going to bed.

Coaching style in one word:Wholehearted.

AMY SKORICH
TRADITIONAL RUNNING PROGRAMS

Coaching since:2021

Coaching certifications:RRCA + VDOT02

After a workout, I:drink my protein with almond milk, then get something to eat. And I always change out of sweaty clothes, even if I can't shower immediately.

Two athletic accomplishments:

  1. Marathon PR of 3:07 in 2019; 10th marathon and first after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
  2. Winning the 2013 Co-Ed Flag Football Championship with my long-standing team.

Two maternal accomplishments:

  1. Raising my daughter with love and empathy for others.
  2. Involving her in everything from campaign volunteering to running.

Don’t ask me to:Handle anything with a bad smell without gagging.

Coaching style in one word:Dedicated.

FAQ

Good question. This Club is a branch of Another Mother Runner, started by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea. Back when our five collective kids were ankle-biters, we ran the Nike Women’s Marathon, wrote about our training for Runner’s World magazine, then turned the whole experience into Run Like a Mother, a chatty, advice-filled book published in 2010. (Here’s an excerpt from Runner’s World.) Train Like a Mother (excerpt) followed in 2012, and Tales from Another Mother Runner (guess what? excerpt) completed the trilogy in 2015.

Along the way, Another Mother Runner has flourished into an amazing community of badass women centered around the idea that the benefits of your miles ricochet through all aspects of your life. When you run, you are a more patient mother, a more loving partner, a more productive worker, and a more positive person altogether. (Note: By run, we mean forward movement. Walking, jogging, and running at any and all speeds count.)

Totally. Each distance from the 10K to the marathon has different levels of plans so you can pick the one that’s right for you. In the preview of the various plans, we lay out the biggest week of training, mileage-wise, and the longest runs, distance-wise, as well as the variety of workouts in the plan.

Depending on the program, your plan will have between three and six runs a week; a cross-training session; and three super short (but very effective) strength circuits. You don’t need any extra equipment for the strength circuits; they are all done solely with body weight. Every program has one mandatory rest day weekly to let your training sink in–and allow for an extra-long grocery store run.

No. The fee covers your training program and all the support you need the duration of your training. That support includes an active Facebook page and Strava club, exclusive podcasts, a Training Peaks Account, a stocked swag package and free shipping (if you’re in the U.S.), and, in some programs, regular office hours where your coach can individually help you over speed bumps.

All these tools will help you have an phenomenal training cycle and race, both physically and mentally. You will have camaraderie, commiseration, and community on a daily basis (and sometimes hourly, if that’s your thing. )

At the end, you will participate in the organized race of your choice; you can also choose to run a race on your own, if that works better for you.

Yep—and we’ve heard again and again from past participants, it’s worth it. Staying committed and motivated during the days, weeks, and, yes, of training can be ridiculously hard, especially when you’re adapting to a new system like heart rate-based training. 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.

With a smart training plan, do-able strength training, and advice on foam rolling and other self-care, we 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.