My Penultimate Workout Before My Next Marathon- Am I In PB Shape? - Ben Is Running

Aug 13, 2025

Intro: This is a quick summary of My Penultimate Workout Before My Next Marathon‑ Am I In PB Shape? from Ben Is Running. 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:

The session is designed to lock‑in marathon‑pace feel during the taper (2–3 weeks before the race).
Goal marathon pace is about 3:20–3:22 min/km (≈ 5:20 min/mi). This controlled, steady pace is a different beast compared to the faster efforts required when you’re Mastering the 10K: Proven Training Plans, Pace Strategies, and How a Smart App Can Elevate Your Performance.
Two 6 km repeats at that pace with a short 1 km recovery jog between them keep volume low (12 km total) while still providing confidence. This is a classic race-specific workout, and you can learn more about the methodology in our guide to Mastering Interval Training: Science-Backed Workouts and How a Smart App Can Personalize Them.
Keep effort under 6–7/10 to avoid unnecessary fatigue. This is not an all-out session; you’re saving those top-end gears you’d use when Mastering 5K Speed: Proven Interval Strategies to Cut Minutes off Your Time.
Use the workout to test race shoes and gear, and monitor heart‑rate for data.

Workout Example:

Warm‑up: 3 km easy (≈ 4:30 min/km) + a few strides.
First 6 km @ marathon pace (target 3:20–3:22 min/km).
Recovery: 1 km easy jog.
Second 6 km @ marathon pace (same target).
Cool‑down: easy jogging/walking as needed.

Tips to try today:

Set your watch for “6 km run, 1 km recovery” intervals.
Swap shoes between the two repeats to see which feels best at marathon effort.
Keep a quick note of how the paces feel; if you’re above 3:25 min/km, back off a little to stay comfortable.
Stay hydrated and fuel with a gel during the 1 km recovery if needed.

Closing Note: Give this workout a go, adjust the paces to match your own marathon goal in the Pacing app, and feel the confidence build for race day. And don’t forget to watch the full Ben Is Running video for deeper insights and his gear picks