The REALITY of training for a 2:20 MARATHON *EXHAUSTED* (ROAD TO VALENCIA EP.5) - Ben Is Running

Intro: This is a quick summary of *The REALITY of training for a 2:20 MARATHON EXHAUSTED (Road to Valencia Ep.5) 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:

• Double‑threshold days (morning & evening) are a core part of Ben’s Valencia marathon plan, especially for sub‑10K speed work.
• Threshold pace is flexible: Ben runs between 3:08 – 3:25 per km (≈ 5:00 – 5:30 / mile) depending on how he feels.
• Using “track mode” on the Coros watch gives lap‑accurate splits, making 25‑lap (10 km) sessions easy to pace.
• Even a “crappy” session still delivers training stress; consistency beats perfection.

Workout Example:

1. Warm‑up – 3 km easy (≈ 6:00 / mile) on the track.
2. Morning Threshold – 10 km total on the track (25 × 400 m laps). Keep each lap at your threshold pace (3:08–3:25 / km).
3. Cool‑down – 2–3 km easy.
4. Evening Session – 10 × 800 m repeats at threshold with 1 min jog recovery between each (≈ 3:08 / km). Tip: Set the Coros watch to “Lane 1” track mode, start the lap, and let the watch handle split timing so you can focus on effort.

Closing Note: Give this double‑threshold day a try, then tweak the paces to match your own recent runs using the Pacing app. You’ll still get the training benefit even when the legs feel heavy – and that’s the reality of marathon training! Keep running, keep learning, and enjoy the progress. 🚀

References

• The REALITY of training for a 2:20 MARATHON EXHAUSTED (ROAD TO VALENCIA EP.5) - YouTube (YouTube Video)

Workout - Ben's Big Day Threshold Miles

• 15min @ 6'00''/km
• 5 lots of:
  • 100m @ 5'30''/km
• 5 lots of:
  • 1.6km @ 5'30''/km
  • 1min 30s rest
• 15min @ 6'15''/km

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