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Training Schedule for a Back-to-Back Marathon and Half Marathon

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Related Resources
• Before You Register for a Walking Marathon 
Some events such as the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer offer the chance to walk a marathon one day and then walk a half marathon the next day. This training schedule will help prepare you for that challenge.

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:  walk 4-6 miles.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Days off, crosstraining such as bicycling, strength training, abdominal exercises.

Saturday: Mileage building day.  This long day is essential - and you should try to walk the entire distance with only short breaks.

Sunday: Moderate distance day.  This is a recovery day, but also will show you the effects on your muscles and feet on walking the day after your long distance day.

• You may vary the exact days of the week to meet your schedule.

• This schedule varies mileage-building weeks with base mileage weeks, to allow a steady build-up of mileage with less risk of injury.

Marathon Training Email Course
Subscribe to our free Marathon Training course to receive weekly emails with training schedules and tips.

 

Week
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thur.
Fri.
Sat.
Sun. Total
1 Off 4 Off 4 Off 8 4 20
2 Off 4 Off 4 Off 10 4 22
3 Off 4 Off 4 Off 8 6 22
4 Off 4 Off 4 Off 12 4 24
5 Off 4 Off 4 Off 10 6 24
6 Off 4 Off 4 Off 14 6 26
7 Off 4 Off 4 Off 10 8 26
8 Off 4 Off 4 Off 16 6 30
9 Off 4 Off 4 Off 10 8 26
10 Off
4
Off
4
Off 18 6 32
11 Off 4 Off 4 Off 10 8
26
12 Off
4
Off
4
Off 20 6 34
13 Off 4 Off 4 Off 10 10
28
14 Off
4
Off
4
Off 20 8 36
15 Off 4 Off 4 Off 12 10
30
16 Off
4
Off
4
Off 22 6 36
17 Off 4 Off 4 Off 12 12
32
18 Off 4 Off 4 Off
12
8
28
19 Off 4 Off 4 Off
26.2
Avon
13.1
Avon
48

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.

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