Making a Marathon Training Schedule You Can Stick To

It can be difficult to determine a good marathon training schedule and then stick to it. There are too many temptations to eat an entire chocolate cake in one sitting (I know.)

Having learned through experience, I am in a position to give you some advice on what NOT to do that will help you stick with your schedule. Once you’ve decided on your marathon training schedule, you should keep a few things in mind.

- You can’t cheat by running super fast for three minutes instead of jogging for thirty minutes. If jogging for thirty minutes is outlined on your schedule, then you actually need to do it.

- Get creative and involve your family when you can’t find the motivation to run every weekend for three months. Here’s what I did. My husband dangled a snickers bar out the window of the car while he drove three feet in front of me.

- Breaking in your jogging shoes before the marathon does not include a meat mallet whatsoever. It actually means that you have to run with the shoes on.

- Don’t choose Jack Daniels or Captain Morgan as a ‘running partner’– get a real human.

- Sticking to your marathon training schedule does not involve taping the paper to your rear end.

- Resist the temptation to hitchhike when you’re jogging those last three miles back home.

- Taking naps in ditches off the side of the road isn’t just a bad idea, and it’s really unsanitary.

Here’s another trick for finding the motivation you need to stick with your running training schedule: Imagine the faces of your competitors when you finish first place. Visualize them crying, howling, and roaring as you use false modesty although all the while you’re thinking, “No autographs please, just gaze upon the champion!” Good Luck with your marathon!

Want to learn more about the Ultimate Marathon Training Schedule? Visit Runners Knee, a blog for runners like us with running tips and so much more.

- Jessica T