Do You Really Need to Run 20 Miles Before Your Marathon?

Do You Really Need to Run 20 Miles Before Your Marathon?

Time on feet matters more than distance. Here's why.

One of the hottest topics you'll ever come across in marathon training.

The 20 mile long run.

Everyone treats it like gospel. Like you can't stand on that start line unless you've smashed out 20 miles in training first.

I'm not so sure.

Everything I've learned, everything the education points to, comes down to distribution of training load, and specifically, time on feet.

Keep your long runs under two hours thirty, two hours forty five if you can manage it, and if you're getting near 20 miles without breaking that time, brilliant, 20 miles is completely doable.

Even 22.

But here's the bit people miss.

Punishing your body before the big day isn't what's needed.

Unless you're chasing a specific PB, or a genuine milestone, the goal is simple. Get to that start line fit and healthy.

At any cost.

A confession

Funny one for you today.

Most of my mileage lately has been around 30 miles a week, and I broke my own rule. I'm in the middle of training for a 100 mile ultra, and this was my first proper long run out.

How stupid was that.

Truth is, it wasn't really my fault, more a technicality with the mileage than a genuine mistake, but still.

I know I'm robust enough to tolerate it. Not everyone is.

And my race isn't for another three or four months, so I got away with it.

My legs are absolutely wrecked though. Might take a couple of days to recover from that one.

The point

We're trying to be fit and healthy.

Not smashing the pavement trying to hit 26 miles before you've even reached the actual event.

If you're thinking about it, think twice.

And if you're not sure, give us a shout. Or point someone you know in our direction.

Andy