1. Health

Training for Marathon Walking

Building Mileage

Prerequisites:

  • Able to walk comfortably for 8 miles on your long day and for 4 miles 3 days a week.
  • Able to commit to one long day per week, from 2 - 6 hours.

Weekly Schedule

  • Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: walk four miles.
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Days off.
  • Sunday: Mileage building day
  • You may vary the exact days of the week, but generally you should take a day off between each walking day, or take just an easy health walk on the off day.
  • This schedule varies mileage-building weeks with base mileage weeks, to allow a steady build-up of mileage with less risk of injury.
  • For those who wish to use 10K events, such as volkssport walks or charity/fun walks in their schedule - replace the Saturday 4 miles with the 6 miles (10K) and either reduce the shorter midweek days to 3 miles or, if you tolerate it well, just enjoy the additional two miles. Do not do shorter mileage your longer day.


Week
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thur.
Fri.
Sat.
Total
1
8 Off 4 Off

4

Off 4 20
2
10 Off 4 Off 4 Off 4 22
3
8 Off 4 Off 4 Off 4 20
4
12 Off 4 Off 4 Off 4 24
5
8 Off 4 Off
4
Off
4
20
6
14 Off
4
Off
4
Off
4
26
7
8
Off 4 Off 4 Off
4
20
8 16 Off
4
Off
4
Off
4
28
9
8
Off 4 Off 4 Off
4
20
10 18 Off
4
Off
8
Off
4
34
11 12 Off 4 Off 8 Off
4
28
12 20 Off
4
Off
8
Off
4
36
13 12 Off 4 Off 8 Off
4
28
14 20 Off
4
Off
8
Off
4
36
15 14 Off 4 Off 8 Off
4
30
16 22 Off
4
Off
8
Off
4
38
17 14 Off 4 Off 8 Off
4
30
18 10 Off 4 Off 4 Off
4
22
19 Walk 2-4 miles every other day before the marathon. 26.2 (whichever day)

Keep track of your mileage, how you feel, what you wore, speed, what you ate and drank. Use one of our Calendars, Logs, and Trackers

Marathon Training Course by Email:
Free course, subscribe 19 weeks before you marathon for weekly walking assignments and coaching tips.

Next page:>> Coaching

More of this Feature
Marathon Training
History
Why so tough?
Training
Shoes
Walking Form
Base Mileage
Coaching
Charity Programs
Strategy
Nutrition
Fluids
Energy Snacks
Clothing
Blisters/Chafing
Race Day
Pacing
Nature Calls
The Finish
Events
Calendars
Reviews
Reader Tips
Related Resources
Before You Register for a Walking Marathon
Book: "The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking"

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