Training Distance
Sub-3 marathon, sub-1:30 half, 5K PR work, ultra long-run building.
6 articles · sorted by most recent
How to Train for Back-to-Back Ultras in the Same Season: The CTL Recovery Curve Between Two 50-Mile Races
A 50-mile race needs about 18 days to repair muscle damage, not the 1-day-per-mile marathon rule. Here's the real fitness curve for 6, 8, and 10-week gaps between two ultras.
Block Periodization for Ultramarathon: Why the Classic Build-Peak-Taper Model Breaks Down Past 50 Miles
Marathon training plans fail ultrarunners because ultras are run at 50–70% VO2max — not 85%. Block periodization fixes this with a 24–30 week CTL buildup and inverted intensity sequencing.
Cycling as Marathon Cross-Training: The Aerobic Transfer That Works and the Running Adaptations It Can't Replace
Cycling keeps your VO2max intact during marathon training, but it won't fix your running economy — cyclists burn 21% more oxygen per stride than runners at the same speed.
How to Build a Self-Coached 16-Week Marathon Block Using Free Tools in 2026
A Pfitzinger-quality 16-week marathon block is possible without a coach or TrainingPeaks Premium — here's the free analytics stack and a week-by-week CTL blueprint to do it for $0.
What Pace Should My Long Runs Be? The Slower-Than-You-Think Marathon Long-Run Rule
Your long run should be 10–20% slower than marathon goal pace — and for runners targeting 4:30+, the standard 90-sec/mile rule may actually be too slow.
Sub-3 Marathon: The Physiology, the Mileage, and the Workouts That Actually Work
Sub-3 requires a 63 ml/kg/min VO2max, 55–75 miles per week, and pyramidal intensity (67.5% Zone 2) — not the polarized model most plans prescribe.