Womens_Running_UK_Issue_86_March_2017

34 MARCH 2017

MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

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RUNNING A SPRING MARATHON? NOW’S

YOUR CHANCE TO BEGIN YOUR OWN

#BIGMARATHONCHALLENGE WITH COACH

RICHARD COATES’ TRAINING PLANS

RUN YOUR BEST

MARATHON!

ast month, we introduced you to

the four women taking on this

year’s Big Marathon Challenge

with Women’s Running (see page

88). Hundreds of you applied to be on the

team but only four could make the final cut

• but if you weren’t successful, don’t worry.
  We asked the team coach, Richard Coates
  from Full Potential (fullpotential.co.uk), to
  put together three marathon training plans
  aimed at different levels of runner. If you’re
  a complete newcomer, like team member
  Leah McDaniel, have a look at our Get Me
  Round Plan, which will do exactly as the
  name suggests. Slightly more experienced
  runners like Claire Price and Katie Hainbach,
  aiming to finish in the 4hrs to 4hrs 30mins
  bracket, should follow our Intermediate plan.
  And those of you lucky enough to be looking
  at sub-3:30 times, like Alice Doggrell, should
  follow our Advanced plan.
  In part one of the plans, Coach Coates
  explains the different types of sessions
  needed to complete your training, and you’ll
  find the first six weeks of your training over
  the next few pages. Next issue you’ll find the
  final six weeks of the plans, taking you right
  up to race day. So whether you’re joining the
  team at the Virgin Money London Marathon
  in April or you have another 42K race on the
  horizon, you’ll reach that finish line in great
  shape and with your best possible time.
  Once you’re ready to start training,
  don’t forget to join us on Twitter and
  Instagram using #BigMarathonChallenge.
  We’ll post regular training tips and monthly
  competitions to help keep all our marathon
  trainees motivated!

KEY TRAINING SESSIONS

Read these descriptions carefully so you

understand why you’re being asked to

complete each session on the plans.