Do you envision crossing the finish line to your very own 26.2 mile race? Do you dread the 5 to 6 months recommended to prepare for the marathon?
I hear your call to the non-running Gods. Taking long runs on my weekends for close to half a year doesn’t exactly sound enticing in my book. Not to mention the detrimental impact that much running could have on the body.
With the insight and programing of IronMan stud, Boston marathon qualifier and ultramarathoner Jaques Tisne, I executed what is potentially the most ridiculous 27 day marathon training program ever dreamed up. I literally went from a running base of zero to a full marathon in just 27 days. In the last 5 years I may have ran a TOTAL of 10 miles. That’s an average of 2 miles a year. No exaggeration. Running has had absolutely no part in my training program. I consistently tell clients that unless you have goals to run races, there are plenty of other options to train the cardio energy system that have significantly less impact and detriment on the body.
But if you’re looking to run a marathon, obviously you need to actually run. If you would rather run 26.2 miles in the other direction at the mere thought of training for 5-6 months to a marathon, you’re in good company. With a little bit of crazy and a lot of strategy and drive, I give you the 27 Days to Marathon!
Background On Me
4 Reasons I should NOT have completed the race:
Haven’t ran consistently in 10+ years. Even then, I would typically run 2 miles.
I was 1 1/2 months into a “bulk†and was 25lbs overweight when I started the training. Timing wasn’t on my side :).
I’ve only ran 3 races in my life and I was in 7th grade for the first and 9th for the other 2. 10K being the longest.
I train my body to move weight and be aesthetically fit, NOT to run.
Day of Training The Plan What I Executed Style of Cardio
Week 1
Day 1 5 Mile Easy Run 5 Miles Easy Recovery Run
Day 2 8 x 800’s 6 x 800’s Speed: Track Work
Day 3 8 Miles 5 Mile Tread Mill Moderate Distance @ Aerobic Intensity
Day 4 10 Miles Took Off Tempo
Day 5 Off Off Off
Day 6 1 HR X Train 45 Min Spinning X Train @ Aerobic Intensity
Day 7 20 Miles 14 Miles Long Run
Week 2
Day 8 6 Miles Took Off Easy Recovery Run
Day 9 10 x 800’s (Yasso) 45 Min Spinning Speed: Track Work
Day 10 10 Miles 10 x 800’s (Yasso) Moderate Distance @ Aerobic Intensity
Day 11 13 Miles 7 Miles Tempo
Day 12 Off Off Off
Day 13 1 Hr X Train 1 Hr Spinning X Train @ Aerobic Intensity
Day 14 22 Miles 16 Miles Long Run
Week 3
Day 15 5 Miles Took Off Easy Recovery Run
Day 16 5 x 1 Mile Took Off Speed: Track Work
Day 17 6 Miles 5 x 1 Mile Moderate Distance @ Aerobic Intensity
Day 18 8 Miles 7 Miles Tempo
Day 19 Off Off Off
Day 20 1 Hr 1 Hr Spinning 1 Hr Spinning
Day 21 15 Miles Took Off Long Run
Week 4
Day 22 5 Miles 5 Miles Easy Recovery Run
Day 23 Off Off Off
Day 24 5 Miles Off Moderate Distance @ Aerobic Intensity
Day 25 6 Miles 3 Miles Tempo
Day 26 Off Off Off
Day 27 Off Off Off
Day 28 26.2 Mile Run!!! 26.2 Miles!!! 4:49:46 RACE DAY!!!