FAQ
“When can I access all course material?”
Right away! All course videos and training schedules are available right after purchase plus you can immediately request access to the Marathon PB Facebook Group + Strava group.
“How can a course with videos offer me a training plan that is really customized and individualized?”
The program will include a flexible base building period of 3 months, depending on progress can be longer. After the aerobic base building period has been completed, there are 5 training schedules of 16 weeks with the goals Sub 5 hour marathon, Sub 4, Sub 3:30, Sub 3 and Finish marathon. These are editable worksheets, so I’ll provide the template, then athletes can move the workouts around and adjust frequency and duration based on available time to train, stress levels, fitness levels and fatigue levels. Workouts are mostly in time (minutes), not distance (miles / km).
“Do I need to own any equipment?”
To get the most out of this program, we highly recommend that you own or buy a GPS running watch and heart rate monitor since several of the videos refer to heart rate training.
“What measuring system is used, metric or imperial?”
I’ve tried my best to include both imperial and metric measuring systems for measurements, so paces and distances are described most of the time in miles and kilometers.
“How is this course different than other video courses or traditional marathon coaching?”
This course is focused on a holistic approach to marathon training and racing. Not just looking at the running component, but also teaching you to fully understand the other components of nutrition, lowering stress, having the right mindset and the best race day strategies. This course is focused on running most workouts at a low heart rate, with some added higher intensity workouts, drills, cross-training and strength training integrated.
Many traditional marathon coaching programs prescribe certain paces for each run. The workouts during this program are more flexible and customizable to day to day life stress, current fitness and health profiles, available time to train. No need to kill yourself in training with many high-intensity workouts to reach your goal. This video course teaches you a more enjoyable approach with a very high success rate of thousands of athletes with success around the world.
“Dr. Maffetone doesn’t offer training plans, because each athlete is unique. How can you offer this?”
I fully agree that each athlete should learn to listen to their body and adjust training plans accordingly to stress levels and life circumstances. I do however see that many athletes can experience from specific training plan templates that can be modified to fit in their specific situation, based on available time, stress levels, race goals, fitness levels, etc. Combining this with the right mindset and clear race strategies based on HR and pace, and you have a strong formula for success.
“How long are the training schedules?”
This program includes the base building phase of 3 months (that can be adjusted based) plus the main 16-week training cycle. The two goals here are to improve aerobically and peak at the right time before your specific goal. Remember, it’s a long game strategy. When you’re able to think further ahead with both a base building.
I fully believe every training schedule should be personalized to your race goals, fitness background, available time to train and life circumstances.
I will be providing the tools and templates for training schedules for:
• Finish marathon goal
• Sub 5 hour marathon goal
• Sub 4 hour marathon goal
• 3:30 marathon goal
• Sub 3 hour marathon goal
I often hear things like “I want to run Sub 3 but I am nervous about losing speed by running at lower HR. I need clarification of exact speed workout details.”
For all 5 marathon goals, I will be providing speed workout details for the different stages of training and fitness levels.
“Will every athlete succeed and reach their marathon goals?”
To be honest, no. Running a Personal Best in a marathon requires some luck with things lining up for you and race day weather conditions. But I believe we all play with the cards we’re dealt, and with the right training framework and racing strategies, we can give ourselves every advantage to increase chances to reach our goals.
Every training cycle and race teaches us something new. Even if we don’t reach our race goal first try, it will help us grow as a stronger, healthier, happier athlete. When you have an open mind, train consistent and patiently, this course can absolutely help improve your chances to reach your goals.