How do you train to run a sub-3 hour marathon? It’s one of running’s big questions. The 2:59:59 is one of those running goals that motivates people to push harder and put everything on the line. But breaking that magic barrier is far from straight forward. For most of us, it isn’t something you can just rock up and wing. It takes sacrifice, determination and dedication to a training plan but most importantly, you need to know you’re training right.
Having run 40-odd marathons and only ever one sub-3, I have plenty of examples of the times I’ve trained hard and thought I was on track only to blow up at mile 22 and finish half an hour outside the target.
That’s because when you’re running at the edge of your performance potential, there are fine lines between success and failure. Your training has to be spot on, running the right miles, in the right volumes and at the right intensity to get your body to the place where it can pull off the perfect race-day performance.
Earlier this year I decided to go in search of a second sub-3 hour marathon in Seville but with a change to my training approach, using some new running tech, under guidance from Polar and Runningwithus.com coach Nick Anderson.
So for anyone else who’s come close to that sought after finish time and failed, here are two videos that discuss how I trained to successfully go sub-3 hours in Seville 2019.
How I trained to run a sub-3 hour marathon
Part 1
Part 2
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