Marathon Training Schedule

26.2 miles is the Holy Grail of Running.  Running a marathon can be one of the most gratifying accomplishments you will ever have in your life.  However, without a solid Marathon Training Schedule you run the risk of injury and dissapointment.

When I ran my first marathon in 1997 (The New York City Marathon), I raised money for the Leukemia Society “Team N Training” program.  I still consider it the best program available for running a marathon.

I had always wanted to run a marathon since a friend in the Marine Corps ran the Marine Corps Marathon and it left me intrigued…he  was a Marine but he was an average runner and I thought if he can do it so can I.

After getting out the Marines I decided to give it a try and soon found out I needed help.  In 1997 outside of books and ‘Team N Training” there was little support for a novice runner.  Thank God for “Team N Training.”  However that has changed.  The internet and running has hit critical mass and the ability to share marathon training information has dramatically changed.

Back to 1997, my sister happened to be getting married and the same weekend of the Marine Corps Marathon so I had to change marathons.  That is why I ran the New York City Marathon(very happy I did).

Over the next few years I had the opportunity to run five more marathons.  The inaugural San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon x2(including inaugural) and the Chicago Marathon but my Marine Corps Marathon goal never made the schedule.

In 2007, 10 years after my original goal of running Marine Corp I felt the nudge to get it done… 25pounds heavier and a bit out of shape.  I trained and completed the Marine Corp Marathon.  I did not have time to run with a group and realized the importance of having a solid Marathon Training Schedule.  This led me to the idea of creating a web portal for marathon and half marathon training schedules.

I am not touting myself as the expert but with 7 marathons under my belt, I hope I can share some tips and tricks to help you succeed.

My favorite running tip is to put your running shoes on and go outside.  You are bound to start running!