Many training programs utilized by coaches and athletes alike primarily focus on accumulating miles to get the body ready for the 26.2 miles on event day and providing a little confidence that the athlete can, indeed, finish that distance.

This old school approach to preparing for marathons is naïve and a sure path to injury. The truth is that most of these programs are built on traditional marathon approaches employed by elite athletes and then diluted down for the everyday person. Unfortunately, this approach does not work for most people. So how should you think about setting up your training program?

Pillars of Training A Total Training Approach Preparing for a Marathon is about more than running. Your plan should include what I call your pillars of training. Your predominant activity in the plan will, of course, be running, but you also need to integrate a strategy for functional strength, nutrition, and recovery. These four components make up your running training pillars. By giving equal focus on all of the pillars you are increasing the likelihood of making positive changes to your fitness while maintaining health and staying injury free. After all, you don't just put gas in your car without ever having it maintained and expect it to run optimally, do you? Then you shouldn't do that to your body either, especially when in training.

Continued...