If there’s one thing I’ve learned how to do, it’s help runners qualify for and then run well at Boston. In this series of articles, I’ll walk you through the training I use with athletes to prepare for the race.
You’ll see how the training is not just about getting ready for another marathon. It’s all about getting ready for Boston and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. Done correctly, you can run very well in Boston. Done incorrectly and the course will eat you alive.
At the outset, it’s important to understand who this training is for and who it is not for. First, this is for athletes who have qualified for and are running Boston. By default, this means that this marathon is, at minimum, their second marathon (but often their 3rd, 4th, 5th …) so what you will see is not designed for a first time marathoner.
Second, the runner is not starting from scratch. She has recovered from her previous training cycle, built back a solid aerobic base (consistent weekly mileage and long runs) and is ready for 12 weeks of focused training. She is not injured and can easily run for 45-60 minutes on mid-week runs and 90-105 minutes on long runs. In other words, she’s ready to begin marathon training, not just begin training.
https://www.mcmillanrunning.com/boston-marathon-training-series/
