I Ran A Marathon In A Prison - The Running Channel

Intro: This is a quick summary of I Ran A Marathon In A Prison from The Running Channel. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points:

• Running a marathon in a prison tests mental endurance more than anything – the monotony of repeated laps, uneven stairs and confined corridors force you to stay focused.
• The race is broken into many short loops (about 78 laps of the yard plus 118 steps of stairs) that together total the classic 26.2‑mile distance.
• Practical mental tricks: “switch your brain off, keep moving, and use your arms on steep stairs.”
• Managing the uneven stairs is a core skill – use a short, powerful arm swing to pull yourself up and recover quickly.

Workout Example:

1. Warm‑up: 10 min easy jog around the yard.
2. Main set – Prison Marathon: Complete 78 laps of the yard (≈0.33 mi per lap) plus the 118‑step stair climb each lap. Aim for a 6‑hour + 25 min finish (≈10 min per mile on average).
   • Tip: Break the marathon into 5‑lap blocks, focus on a steady effort for each block, and note how the stairs feel – keep a consistent arm‑drive on the up‑hill.
3. Cool‑down: 5 min walk, stretch calves and hamstrings.

Closing Note: Give your mind a break, keep the pace steady, and you’ll finish the “prison marathon” stronger than ever. Try this unique workout, and feel free to adjust the lap count or pace in the Pacing app to match your own fitness level. Happy running!

References

• I Ran A Marathon In A Prison - YouTube (YouTube Video)

Workout - The Prison Yard Gauntlet

• 12min @ 6'30''/km
• 3 lots of:
  • 1.6km @ 5'15''/km
  • 30s @ 6'40''/km
  • 3min rest
• 7min 30s @ 7'30''/km

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