If you want to run a fast marathon, you need to build endurance, strength, injury resilience, speed, and mental toughness. Here’s how to do it.
Jason competing in his first marathon, the 2008 New York City Marathon
Marathons are difficult events because so much can go wrong. Once you run through mile 20, you’re in the “Wild West” of racing: anything can happen.
I was a recently graduated post-collegiate track athlete when I first lined up for a marathon. At the New York City Marathon, I thought I’d negative split the final 10k and cruise to the finish line with a 2:37 finish time.
But when a senior citizen blazed past me at mile 22, I knew I was in trouble.
I succumbed to hitting the wall at mile 20 and gradually slowed down until the finish. Every foot step felt like agony. It was a very clichè marathon experience.
Yet that negative experience made me want to learn everything there is about how to run a fast marathon:
- The training that’s required for success over 26.2 miles
- How to build injury resilience for the training that’s required
- Nutrition and fueling strategies for hours of racing
- How to get stronger to thrive with such a long distance
Strength Running now exists to help you learn from my own mistakes and use my experience to improve and run a fast marathon.
How Dan Plans to Run a Fast Marathon
Dan is a runner who recently improved his marathon finish time from 3:38 to 3:08 – a massive 30 minute or 1:08 per mile improvement.
It represents a staggering jump in ability, not just from a cardiovascular perspective, but from a muscular perspective. Sure, Dan ran more than a minute per mile faster at a similar heart rate. But he also increased his ability to produce force.
By running a faster marathon, Dan demonstrated that he was a more powerful athlete!
He sat down with me on the Strength Running Podcast to talk about:
- What his training looked like before running 3:38
- The changes he made to improve by 30 minutes to 3:08
- What’s necessary to make another 30 minute improvement to 2:38
- Why there is “no room for zigging and zagging”
Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeartRadio.
A big thanks to Dan for coming on the show to discuss his training, why he wants to run a fast marathon, and opening up about his process.
Thank you Previnex!
After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.
Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.
Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking. Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.
Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.
They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.
Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!
Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!
Thank you LMNT!
A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
And BIG news! Their newest flavor is now available for a limited time: LEMONADE SALT!
LMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.
Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.
