10 steps to prepare a Marathon: Step 3 Picking the right training program

Now that you picked up the right course and right equipment, you have to train and get ready for your race.

Well, that’s the tough part since it can lead to various consequences.

Injury is unfortunately the most common one, but you can be out of shape, mentally or physically burned out, unable to stand the distance, and so on…

Here’s the big importance to pick up the right program, the one that will make you running the best out of you.

Those programs are flowing everywhere on the net and it is always very difficult to make a choice worth your bucks.

Plus they all are the best of the best of course.

Here are some tips to get through this jungle.

Tip 1: Generic programs

Generic programs flowed all over the web and are free if not very affordable for the most.

It’s difficult to find out which one is the best.

Basically Generic program offer a good framework for novices; they give a sense of progression in the training.

If you never trained before, it’s probably the best way to start and find out what training is about.

Make sure there is a progression that makes sense.

I remember a friend of mine who was running a couple times a week, not really beginner but starting to run some marathon; she had on her second week 3h45’ to run as a long run!!!

Well let me tell you that if you start so high I am wondering which kind of long run you will have several weeks after. Where is the progression?

Those programs are most of the time slow runs and some tempo work but nothing more than that.

You need to fine tune your work based on your needs and skills.

So if you are a beginner, let’s just try it; but if you are a confirmed runner you need a little bit more than a “snack”.

Because it’s a once size program fitted for everybody all over the world without taking into account your goal(s), level of fitness, running and training experience, daily/weekly personal and professional schedule, mental preparedness and race strategy.

All the things you need now that you know better what training and racing are.

(Next article: Group training program)