The countdown until your fall marathon is on

We calculated the weeks until your goal race. Will you be ready?

Madeleine Kelly July 3, 2019

Spring marathon season has come and gone, and we’re well into the summer racing season. With several big Canadian marathons still to come, now is a good time to check in on your training. Assess how it’s been going, and see if you should make a few tweaks heading into your last few weeks of preparation.

Cam Levins breaks the tape at Canadian Marathon Championships, STWM 2018. Photo: Todd Fraser, Canada Running Series

Many coaches and athletes agree that 16 weeks is a good amount of time to properly prepare for a marathon, while 10 to 12 weeks is usually sufficient for a half. In all cases, building upon the aerobic base you’ve hopefully maintained throughout the spring will be followed with a number of specific training phases–speed, strength and endurance–that each last several weeks. Finally, the two to three weeks before race day are reserved for the taper, a time that focuses on rest and recovery.

Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon 2019. Photo: Maxine Gravina

As with anything running-related, consistency is key. So starting your marathon training with plenty of time means you won’t have to rush or skip over a training phase.

Sunday, September 15:

Key events: Maritime Race Weekend (half-marathon only for 2019 due to construction)

Start training: July 7th (half)

Sunday, September 22:

Key events: Marathon Oasis Rock ‘n’ Roll de Montreal

Start training: June 2 (marathon); June 30 (half)

Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon — Photo: Kevin Morris

Sunday, September 29:

Key events: Berlin Marathon

Start training: June 9 (full), July 7 (half)

Sunday, October 13:

Key events: Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon, Chicago Marathon and SSQ Québec City Marathon

Start training: June 23 (marathon); July 21 (half)

New York City Marathon Canadians — Photo: courtesy of NYRR

Sunday, October 20:

Key events: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Marathon du P’tit Train du Nord, Val-David, Que., BMO Okanagan Marathon, Kelowna, B.C., Prince Edward Island Marathon and Niagara Falls International Marathon

Start training: June 30 (marathon); July 28 (half)

Sunday, November 3:

Key events: Hamilton Marathon and New York City Marathon

Start training: July 14 (marathon); August 11 (half)