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Marathon Training
Contents
Marathon Training for Beginners
Training Schedules and Advice
Injuries and Recovery
Marathon Gear
Half Marathon Training

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced runner, marathon training works best when you have a plan.

Since a marathon involves running 26.2 miles, you’ll need marathon training schedules, eating plans, and running tips to improve your stamina. Well+Good’s guide to marathon training includes all you need to run a strong race—and cross that finish line feeling like a champion.

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Marathon Training for Beginners

Everything You Need To Know To Get Ready for a Marathon in 12 Weeks Flat
July 16, 2019
Everything You Need To Know To Get Ready for a Marathon in 12 Weeks Flat
No matter how seasoned of a runner you may be, getting ready for a marathon…
By Zoe Weiner
The Super-Common Thoughts Most People Have During Their First Marathon
April 20, 2018
The Super-Common Thoughts Most People Have During Their First Marathon
The first time you set out to run 26.2 miles—in a sea of other willing…
By Alison Feller
This 20-Week Training Plan Can Get Any Runner Through Their First Marathon
May 05, 2019
This 20-Week Training Plan Can Get Any Runner Through Their First Marathon
So. You want to run a marathon. First of all, congratulations! Second of all, it's…
By Zoe Weiner
How Many Miles a Day Should You Actually Be Running?
June 23, 2018
How Many Miles a Day Should You Actually Be Running?
In 30 minutes, you can watch an episode of Broad City, enjoy a meditation session,…
By Alison Feller

Training Schedules and Advice

The Dos and Don’ts of Training for a Marathon Straight From a Run Coach
September 14, 2018
The Dos and Don’ts of Training for a Marathon Straight From a Run Coach
You just signed up for your first or 15th marathon—congratulations! Anyone who has ever completed…
By Alison Feller
‘I’m a Cardiologist—This Is Why I’m Running My Third Marathon in November’
October 10, 2019
‘I’m a Cardiologist—This Is Why I’m Running My Third Marathon in November’
Here's a startling fact that I'm confronted with every day: Cardiovascular disease is the number one…
By Jennifer Haythe, MD
I’m a Triathlete, and This Is How I Improve My Cardiovascular Endurance
July 19, 2020
I’m a Triathlete, and This Is How I Improve My Cardiovascular Endurance
Imagine swimming for 2.4 miles, biking for 112 miles, then capping it all off with…
By Rachel Lapidos
Why It’s So Much Harder To Train at Higher Altitudes If You’re Not Used to It
February 11, 2020
Why It’s So Much Harder To Train at Higher Altitudes If You’re Not Used to It
Altitude training is not for the faint of heart. Perhaps you’ve heard of the technique…
By Brooke Ely Danielson
6 Interval Running Workouts To Help You Break Through Physical and Mental Barriers
October 22, 2019
6 Interval Running Workouts To Help You Break Through Physical and Mental Barriers
Whether you adore running or despise it, discovering interval training for the first time can…
By Kells McPhillips
Your Race-Training Meal Plan—From a Marathon Champ
March 14, 2017
Your Race-Training Meal Plan—From a Marathon Champ
  Ever hit the starting line with too much water sloshing around your belly? Or eat…
By Emily Laurence

Injuries and Recovery

The Intense Recovery Routine That Got Karlie Kloss Ready for the NYC Marathon
November 06, 2017
The Intense Recovery Routine That Got Karlie Kloss Ready for the NYC Marathon
When you commit to a huge goal like running a marathon, it's no secret that…
By Mercey Livingston
4 Easy Self-Care Practices for Busy Runners To Speed Recovery
April 27, 2018
4 Easy Self-Care Practices for Busy Runners To Speed Recovery
Runners know that after putting in miles, your body needs some serious TLC, stat. How else…
By Alison Feller
5 of the Most Common Running Injuries and How To Fix Them
October 24, 2018
5 of the Most Common Running Injuries and How To Fix Them
Whether or not you’re a big-time runner, landing yourself on the injured list is never…
By Emily Abbate
Women Runners Are Twice as Likely To Get Stress Fractures—Here's How To Stop Them From Hurting Your Stride
August 13, 2020
Women Runners Are Twice as Likely To Get Stress Fractures—Here's How To Stop Them From Hurting Your Stride
Since 1986, the number of women runners in the United States has more than doubled…
By Kells McPhillips

Marathon Gear

This Is the Best Running Gear To Upgrade Your Uniform
April 24, 2020
This Is the Best Running Gear To Upgrade Your Uniform
For many, running has become the go-to form of exercise during social distancing. And with…
By Kara Jillian Brown
Running Shoe Sales Just Keep Climbing—Here Are the 6 Editor-Tested Ones to Try Now
July 17, 2020
Running Shoe Sales Just Keep Climbing—Here Are the 6 Editor-Tested Ones to Try Now
There's something about slipping on a fresh-out-of-the-box pair of running shoes that instantly resets my…
By Kells McPhillips
What I Can’t Run Without: 6 Female Athletes Confess
November 16, 2017
What I Can’t Run Without: 6 Female Athletes Confess
They say running is, at least in theory, a simple sport. All you need is…
By Alison Feller
Why It Took Me 4 Years To Find the Perfect Running Shoes
April 19, 2020
Why It Took Me 4 Years To Find the Perfect Running Shoes
Have you ever felt overwhelmed searching for that “perfect” running sneaker? I have! Four and…
By Brooke Ely Danielson

Half Marathon Training

The Fit Person's Guide To Running Your First Half Marathon (With Training Plan!)
March 11, 2013
The Fit Person's Guide To Running Your First Half Marathon (With Training Plan!)
By Lisa Elaine Held
How To Prep for Your First 10K or Half Marathon—When You're New To Running
March 28, 2014
How To Prep for Your First 10K or Half Marathon—When You're New To Running
Sure, running's a pretty low-key sport. Lace up your shoes and go. So how come…
By Melisse Gelula
This 10K Training Program Will Get You Up and Running In Only 5 Weeks
October 01, 2020
This 10K Training Program Will Get You Up and Running In Only 5 Weeks
Traci Copeland is a Nike Master Trainer and run coach based in New York City.…
By Traci Copeland

All Articles

Running a Marathon? You Might Want To Schedule a Walk for the Day After the Race
April 13, 2023
Running a Marathon? You Might Want To Schedule a Walk for the Day After the Race
After a marathon, collapsing onto the ground with some water and snacks (and maybe a…
By Rachel Kraus
‘I’m a Marathon Pacer, and This Is How To Pace Your Way to a New PR on Race Day’
March 28, 2023
‘I’m a Marathon Pacer, and This Is How To Pace Your Way to a New PR on Race Day’
If you’ve ever run a marathon (or even thought about running a marathon), you’ve heard…
By Lauren Wingenroth
The 19 Best Handcycle Races, Marathons, and Half-Marathons in the USA in 2023
November 04, 2022
The 19 Best Handcycle Races, Marathons, and Half-Marathons in the USA in 2023
Hand cyclists looking to join a race or marathon can look ahead to what awaits…
By Danielle Calma
The 20 Best Marathons To Run in the USA in 2023
October 26, 2022
The 20 Best Marathons To Run in the USA in 2023
One of the best parts of being a runner is seeing the world on foot.…
By Kells McPhillips
Here's What To Know About the Brand-New Brooklyn Marathon
June 16, 2021
Here's What To Know About the Brand-New Brooklyn Marathon
Brooklyn is getting its very own marathon. On Tuesday, New York City officials approved plans…
By Francesca Krempa
'I'm an Olympic Runner and Here's How I Push Through When the Miles Get Difficult'
April 21, 2021
'I'm an Olympic Runner and Here's How I Push Through When the Miles Get Difficult'
Every runner—whether you log a few miles a week for fun or if you're competitively…
By Emily Laurence
This running coach swears by an oldie-but-goldie recovery routine to amp up her rest days
October 01, 2019
This running coach swears by an oldie-but-goldie recovery routine to amp up her rest days
In fitness eras past, bragging about your gym gains was all the rage. Now, the…
By Kells McPhillips
What to know about ultra-marathons and what it takes to finish one
March 30, 2019
What to know about ultra-marathons and what it takes to finish one
Athletic Equation co-founder Alexander Papadopoulos and his wife and two daughters have been organizing ultra…
By Emily Laurence
What running the NYC marathon taught me about myself—and my bod
December 05, 2018
What running the NYC marathon taught me about myself—and my bod
I don’t exactly recall the first mile I ever ran but I do know this:…
By Ali Finney
How to Marathon Train Without Carboloading
October 18, 2018
How to Marathon Train Without Carboloading
From the throwback days of high school spaghetti dinners before game day, we've long been…
By Allie Flinn
3 common issues runners face in the month leading up to a marathon—and what to do about them
October 04, 2018
3 common issues runners face in the month leading up to a marathon—and what to do about them
With months of marathon training behind you and just a few more long run and…
By Well+Good Editors
Shalane Flanagan is the fitness hero we need right now
November 06, 2017
Shalane Flanagan is the fitness hero we need right now
With all the not-so-happy news that's transpired in recent months, Americans really, really, really needed a hearty dose of…
By Tehrene Firman
The OG female marathoner is finally getting her due, 50 years after her historic run
November 02, 2017
The OG female marathoner is finally getting her due, 50 years after her historic run
Though a bunch of jerks infamously chased Kathrine Switzer off the Boston Marathon course in 1967, the…
By Tehrene Firman
I trained for the NYC Marathon in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria—here's what it was like
November 02, 2017
I trained for the NYC Marathon in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria—here's what it was like
More than 50,000 runners will push themselves to the limit when the 47th annual New…
By Beverly Ramos
Marathon nutrition: Your guide to eating well while you train (and race!)
October 15, 2014
Marathon nutrition: Your guide to eating well while you train (and race!)
If you're running the New York City Marathon on November 2 (or any fall marathon!),…
By Lisa Elaine Held
Race tips from marathoners, bathroom edition
October 28, 2013
Race tips from marathoners, bathroom edition
When you run 26.2 miles, you become hyper-aware of your body in some important (and…
By Melisse Gelula
True or false: Marathoners can eat whatever they want
October 05, 2011
True or false: Marathoners can eat whatever they want
Have you ever flirted with the idea of doing a marathon, so you could eat…
By Melisse Gelula
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