16/08/2025
This is a great post that re-iterates one of my recent posts about starting early with marathon training.
It’s really worth planning in some contingency time for things that might not go as you expect them to. This might be an injury, it might be an illness, a bout of poor mental health or even a close friend or relative leaving us behind. Who knows.
That age old saying : Time heals all wounds is so true. Most injuries will take around six weeks to heal. If you have to take that time out of running, you then have to work out how to get your mileage back up to where it was without getting injured again!
Proper planning makes all the difference. If you’re not sure when to start, talk to experienced people in your running community to get the right help.
HAPPY RUNNING!!! 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️
How long should you train for your next race? It’s one of the most common questions runners ask and the truth is, the answer depends on more than just the distance.
For a 5K, you’ll typically need 6 to 16 weeks. If you’re brand new to running, aim for the longer end so you can build endurance safely. If you’re already running regularly, you can sharpen up in just over a month.
A 10K often requires 8 to 14 weeks. It’s long enough to demand endurance but short enough that speed-work still plays a big role.
For a half marathon, plan on 12 to 20 weeks. This distance is where the long runs really matter, and your training has to strike a balance between endurance, speed, and recovery.
And for the full marathon, give yourself 12 to 24 weeks. The jump from 20 miles to 26.2 is no joke the more gradual your buildup, the less likely you are to hit the wall or get injured.
One big factor: experience. A seasoned runner with a solid base can jump into a shorter cycle and still perform well, while a beginner should lean toward the maximum timeframe for safety and consistency.
The key takeaway? Don’t just train to finish the distance, train to feel strong and confident when you cross the line.
