Marathons are COMING! Our Top 8 Tips To Get Ready - The Running Channel

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of Marathons are COMING! Our Top 8 Tips To Get Ready 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

Mileage & Frequency: Gradually increase weekly mileage and run 3‑5 times per week; long runs are just one piece of the puzzle.
Mix Up Sessions: Pair long runs with interval, tempo, and easy runs. Include at least one faster‑than‑marathon‑pace session per week (or every other week).
Speed Work: “Stealth” speed drills – 4‑6 × 80‑100 m at ~80‑90 % effort with walk‑back recovery – keep legs sharp.
Marathon‑Pace Segments: During long runs try 4 × 15‑20 min at goal marathon pace with 5 min easy jog between, or alternate 1 km fast / 1 km easy for 10‑20 km.
Progression Runs: Finish long runs with a block at marathon pace to teach the body to hold the target speed when tired.
Fuel & Hydration: Boost carbs and protein as mileage rises, test gels/chews on training runs, replace fluids + electrolytes within 10‑15 min post‑run.
Recovery: Stretch, foam‑roll, and prioritize sleep each night.
Taper: Reduce volume but keep intensity (shorter intervals or a light tempo) so legs stay fresh. Rest the day before race and have your kit ready.

Workout Example

Mid‑week Speed + Marathon‑Pace Long Run (adjust paces to your own training zones in the Pacing app):

Warm‑up: 10 min easy jog.
Stealth Speed: 5 × 90 m at 80‑90 % effort, walk back 30‑45 s between reps.
Cool‑down: 5 min easy.
Long Run (Saturday): 18‑22 km total
- 10 km easy
- 4 × 4 min at goal marathon pace, 2 min easy jog between
- 4 km easy finish (If you prefer km alternation, do 1 km at marathon pace then 1 km easy for the middle 10‑12 km.)

Closing Note

Give these tips a try and tweak the paces to match your own goals using the Pacing app. The Running Channel’s full video dives deeper into each point, so watch it for more insight and motivation. Happy training – you’ve got this! 🚀