Sign in Subscribe

The training plan

How I plan to train for the NYC Marathon.

The training plan
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

I have a Ph.D. in planning 😂

I love to plan. It's the best thing in the world.

Heck, I love the shopping that comes with the planning.

The problem is when it's time to execute.

I'm usually stuck with the plans and the new stuff I'm never gonna use.

So this time around, I'm doing two things differently:

  1. I'm keeping the plan simple — and I'm following it.
  2. I'm not buying anything until I get three training sessions done.

Of course, I'm a newbie, so things will change as I learn.

Here's my training plan so far

Disclaimer: I'm a new runner. I don't know what the hell I'm doing. This plan will change as I learn more about the sport and as I gain experience.

Running

  1. Ankle strengthening exercises (5 Days). My ankles are funny sometimes. I just want to make sure I'm OK. I'm using this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww8WSkbdNK8
  2. Super beginner running program (12 Weeks): None to Run — for folks like me who find even C25K hard: https://www.nonetorun.com/
  3. Then Run to 5K (8 Weeks): https://www.nonetorun.com/
  4. Then Run to 10K (8 Weeks): https://www.nonetorun.com/
  5. 10K to Half Marathon (12 Weeks): Marathon Handbook: https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/half-marathon-training-plans/
  6. Half Marathon to Marathon (20 Weeks): https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/marathon-training-plans/
  7. Additional Marathon Training

Cross-Training

  1. Caroline Girvan App - Beginner Program
  2. P.Volve

Ultimately, I'm taking this slow, steady, and imperfect.

Taking my time. And the key is to keep on going if I miss a day (or two), get hurt at some point, discouraged by the people around me, etc.

I also want to run the shorter races first like a 5K, 10K, and a Half Marathon before the 2024 NYC Marathon.

I have a year and a half to prepare (18 months). Maybe, just maybe, I have a shot. You know?