Why a 12-week program doesn't cut it
For many runners, training starts when they enter a race. They choose a marathon or half marathon, count back 12 weeks and start a race-specific running program.
Then the race comes and goes, the goal is achieved and training becomes something they manage themselves until the next event is on the calendar.
The next 12 week training block starts… and rinse and repeat. It’s a cycle that often leads to sub-par performances, injuries and inconsistent training.
But if you want to consistently improve your running performance, the months between races are more important than the 12-week race build.
A 12-week running program just doesn’t cut it
You’re asking the 12 weeks before your race to do everything.
Trying to build everything from scratch every time you enter a race limits what you can achieve. 12 weeks is just not enough to prepare you to perform well. You might have the best program but, ineveitably work, life, family, injuries or sickness is going to limit your availability, and suddenly you are left with 8-10 weeks. As a coach I have seen it happen quite often. Then you are left scrambling to be fit enough and complete the training before the event comes around.
The athletes who make the biggest progress don’t just train for races. They train between races. This is where base training has massive benefits, and is most often neglected.
The training between race-specific blocks gives you the opportunity to develop the qualities that take time.
These include:
Building a stronger aerobic base
Gradually increasing running volume
Developing strength and running durability
Improving running economy and threshold
Addressing weaknesses and recurring niggles
Developing consistent training habits
Maintaining fitness between races
Using strength training for runners to improve performance and resilience
Then, when your next marathon or half marathon training block begins, you're not starting from where you finished your last race.
You're starting from a higher level.
Your next PB starts before your next race
Running performance coaching isn't just about prescribing workouts for the 12 weeks before race day. It's about understanding where you are now, identifying what needs to improve and developing those qualities over time.
That might mean spending several months building aerobic fitness and strength before beginning a marathon-specific block.
It means maintaining a consistent training load while you decide on your next race.
It allows time to work on a weakness that is limitiing you from reaching your potential.
This is where personalised coaching can make a difference.
Rather than following another 12-week marathon training plan, your training can be adjusted around your current fitness, training history, goals, lifestyle and response to training.
You don't need to race all year
You don't need to be in race-mode all year. But you should always be working towards becoming a better runner.
The 12-week race build is where you sharpen your fitness and prepare specifically for race day. The training between races is where you build the foundation that allows that race-specific training to be more effective.
If you're looking for an online running coach to help you develop your running year-round, rather than simply provide another 12-week marathon training plan, ongoing coaching can give your training more direction and consistency.
Your next PB shouldn't start 12 weeks before race day.
It starts with the work you do between races.