Why One Successful Marathon Per Year Is the Smart Approach

What do you do next after your fall marathon is complete? So, you just finished NYC. Achieved your goal. Now what? Got this question the other day. Here's a path to consider.

How Many Marathons Should You Run Per Year?

Endurance training is an iterative process. Lydiard Method training cycles build on one another. As I've said before, building fitness is about stress and recovery. Assuming you are on a smart post marathon recovery plan of a few weeks, now comes the decision about what to do next. I've always felt that one successful marathon per year is smart. How you measure that success will vary from runner to runner, but for me it was time improvement.

Use the Spring to Build Speed

Now consider working on your shorter distances and pace in your next cycle. For example, for the Spring target a 5k or 10k. A plan for these, while still providing a good aerobic base building component, will have you working on shorter, yet faster paced tempo runs, fast interval sessions during the anaerobic phase and of course testing yourself in controlled races as you head towards peak. The beauty of this is once you complete this cycle, you can move right into your marathon training cycle for Fall with an 18–24 week plan. The benefits? Your fitness level will have increased, your aerobic base will have grown, your fundamental speed will have improved, and you will have set yourself up for a productive next training cycle for a goal half or full marathon.

If you'd like to learn more about the Lydiard Method, stop in and talk with Bob Dyer or Jennifer Henderson at Running Niche — both are Lydiard® Certified Coaches. Join our Run Club to stay consistent between cycles.