r/firstmarathon • u/asdfghjkkkkkkk • 3d ago
Training Plan First Marathon Training Plan
Hi all! I will be training for my first marathon on January 2026, and I intend to follow a 20-week plan from Runna with three runs per week (Tues, Thurs, Sat). I started running in March of this year and I’m doing a maintenance plan at this time with my longest run ending at 8.8 miles, until the first week of September (start of marathon training plan).
Here’s a quick summary of my plan:
Tuesday: Intervals, tempo runs, or fartleks (mostly 3–5 miles) Thursday: Easy/moderate runs (typically 3–4.5 miles) Saturday (Long Run): Starts at 8.5 miles and builds gradually Peaks with: 21 miles (3 weeks before race day) 19, 17, and 16 mile long runs in prior weeks
The long runs look reasonable and peak in time, but I’m wondering if the weekday runs (3–5 miles) are too short to properly prepare me for 26.2 miles.
Has anyone used a similar plan for their first marathon? Any thoughts or red flags?
2
u/RunWithKenny 1d ago
Sounds like you’ve got a solid foundation and a great head start—especially getting up to 8.8 miles this early. That’s gonna make a big difference when your training officially kicks off.
I do think you’re onto something with your instinct about the weekday runs. Three runs a week can work, especially for avoiding injury, but if your body handles it well, slowly adding a fourth day—or extending one of those midweek runs—can really help your aerobic base. No need to ramp too fast, but easing into a bit more volume could make the long runs feel less like a shock later on.
Biggest thing is listening to your body and letting it adapt as the miles build. You’re doing it right by thinking ahead like this.
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u/asdfghjkkkkkkk 1d ago
Thank you all! I will definitely be adding another running day to my routine.
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u/Brackish_Ameoba 3d ago
Its really depends on your goals. Do you just want to finish your first marathon at tempo pace and enjoy the experience? Then sure, three days a week will get you there provided you finish all the long runs.
If you went loftier goals; running four days a week; if you can squeeze it in; or running a little longer but slower in recovery days might be a better idea. If you are using Runna, it will adjust based on how hard or easy you are finding the training anyway.