For many runners, completing a marathon in under 3:20 is a dream come true!
Who is this plan for?
This plan is designed for runners who already have a solid base and are in good general shape. You should be able to run 30-45 miles a week without additional workouts.
To break 3:20 hours in the marathon, you will need to maintain a pace of 7:38 per mile (or 4:44 per kilometer).
Over the course of 12 weeks, you will work on strength, speed, and endurance, covering all three components to maximize your chances of success on race day.
Before starting the program:
It is beneficial to meet certain standards before beginning. Ideally, you should be able to run a half marathon at your goal marathon pace, which is 7:38 per mile (or 4:44 per kilometer), equating to a half marathon time of 1:40:00.
Completing a good base plan or 12 weeks of this plan will give you a chance to break the 3:20 barrier.
Plan Overview:
These suggestions are meant to help you transition smoothly and choose the right goal. However, many runners who did not meet these qualifications have still succeeded on race day.
If you follow the plan each day and week to the best of your abilities, you will succeed!
