Tag Archive for: marathon training

How to Pick A Training Plan

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Pick the training plan that’s right for you

Here are some important things to consider when picking your training plan.

1. Be honest with your goalsTwo smiling women stand side by side at a city marathon finish line, proudly holding finisher’s medals. After overcoming mental hurdles and long runs, they celebrate in athletic clothes and race bibs, with a state capitol building rising behind them. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5K

Every runner’s journey is unique. Are you aiming for a personal best, hoping to finish your first half, or just looking to enjoy themiles with friends? Be real with yourself about what you want out of this season. If you’re eyeing a speedy 10K before your February half marathon, your plan might need a little extra speed work early on. Your goals matter, let them guide your path!

2. Be realistic about your time commitment

If a plan has you running long runs on Saturday mornings, but that is when your son’s baseball games are, that might not be the plan for you. Starting your training further out leaves you more time to adjust for when “life happens.” Shorter plans are great for feeling the pressure and for those who find themselves losing interest after a period of time.

Training should fit into your life, not the other way around.

3. Build upon what you’re running right now

A green infographic titled "8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Picking a Plan" lists questions about fitness goals, time, budget, motivation, and priorities for choosing a workout or training plan, with white and yellow text. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5K

Your training plan should meet you at your current fitness level. Jumping into a plan with more miles than you’re ready for can lead to injury and frustration. Build on your current routine, and let your progress come naturally.

4. General or personal plan?

Decide if you want to invest in a personal plan or do you just want to follow a general plan. A general plan may be great to start and then switch to a more personalized plan once you feel you are ready to take it to the next level.

5. Check The Author

Choosing a big goal like running a half marathon or full marathon is something that you are investing so be sure to check what sources you are reading, because there are a lot of opinions out there. This is highly connected to making sure you are matching your current fitness level. Look for a certified coach with experience in your goal distance, such as The Run Plan. Don’t trust a random website with such an important goal (like running a marathon!).

Another great option is to find a local group or club in your city, and see if they have a group training plan or if there is a coach they recommend in your area. If you are in Austin, we have a full list at werunaustin.com

6. Include cross training

Some plans are strictly running while others incorporate other activities like yoga, cycling, or weightlifting. Cross training can be great for building strength, reducing injuries, and for preventing burnout.

7. Rest days are a necessityA male runner in a black tank top and headband crosses the marathon finish line with arms raised in victory, fueled by marathon motivation. Spectators cheer along colorful barricades, while event banners mark the finish area. Austin Marathon Half Marathon & 5K

Rest days aren’t optional, they’re essential. Your body needs time to recover and get stronger. If a plan doesn’t include recovery days, keep looking. Training for long distance running is a challenge and your body will be stronger if you give it the proper time to recover.

8. Be kind to yourself and allow change

Life is full of surprises. You might miss a run for a concert, a family visit, or just because you needed a little extra sleep. That’s okay! Reset, refocus, and get back out there. If your plan isn’t working for you, switch it up. The finish line will still be there, and so will we, cheering you on every step of the way

Earn Your Ticket to the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group Championship at the Austin Marathon

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2024 Austin Marathon participants can earn a spot at AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group Championships

Mark your calendars for February 18, 2024, because Austin, Texas, is where the action’s at. The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon is your passport to an adrenaline-fueled adventure as it returns as one of the selected qualifying marathons for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Rankings. The AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings comprise over 375 qualifying races in over 90 different countries in which athletes in nine separate age groups can compete in marathons across the world to earn a global ranking. 

Compete against runners from around the world

The spread of the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group Qualifying Events creates a truly global series throughout the year. This gives runners across the world the chance to be part of a new era of age-group marathon running. 

The 2024 season will be the 6th edition of the rankings, with runners competing to earn an invitation to the 2025 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.

Dawna Stone, Abbott World Marathon Majors CEO said: “The Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Rankings continue to grow and welcome new races into the qualifying process every year. The geographical spread of runners and races shows the appetite for high level competition across all ages and an invite to the World Championships is becoming a much sought-after goal.” 

How it Works

Athletes will be ranked according to their single fastest time in a qualifying event. Any athlete achieving the Automatic Qualifying Time for their age group will receive an immediate invitation for the 2025 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.

Highly-ranked runners who do not achieve the Automatic Qualifying Time still have the opportunity to receive an invitation to enter the World Championship depending on the full field size and the number of athletes achieving the qualifying time.

In order to receive an invitation, runners must be registered at AbbottWMM.com. The date, location, and field size for the 2025 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships will be announced in due course.

Age Group Qualifying Times 

Times are subject to final confirmation by AbbotWMM at the end of 2023.

 2024 Qualifying times Age Group 

Male 

Female 

40-44 

02:35 

03:05 

45-49 

02:42 

03:11 

50-54 

02:48 

03:21 

55-59 

02:57 

03:30 

60-64 

03:10 

03:48 

65-69 

03:26 

04:06 

70-74 

03:40 

04:35 

75-79 

04:06 

05:05 

80+ 

04:40 

05:25 

Qualifying for the 2025 AbbottWMM Age Group Championship

There are three ways to qualify for the championships.

1. Achieve the Automatic Qualifying Time for your age group

2. Other highly ranked athletes without an Automatic Qualifying Time may also receive an invitation, depending on the full field size and the number of athletes achieving the qualifying time.

3. The bi-annual AbbottWMM Global Marathon, held within the Global Run Club, has 200 places available for the fastest verified finishers. Visit the Global Run Club for full details.

Full details here.

So, as the Austin Marathon countdown begins, imagine the cheers of the crowd, the beat of your heart, and the thrill of knowing that you could earn a spot at the 2025 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships. It’s not just a marathon; it’s a global celebration of running . The path to championship glory is paved with determination and a dash of fun. The Austin Marathon beckons and the world is your playground – get ready to run, laugh, and make memories that will last a lifetime. It’s marathon time, and the adventure begins here!

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