Home > Training

When should you start fall marathon training?

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or planning to tackle your first, one thing is true: It takes time to train for a marathon

Scotiabank Montreal 21K Photo by: Todd Fraser/Canada Running Series

Now that summer is here across the country, maybe you have started planning or looking at some races this fall. If you’ve been running for some time, you’re likely coming off spring or summer races and looking for some motivation to get back out there. Don’t worry, you are one of many trying to find the perfect fall marathon to add to your race calendar. Most online coaches and training plans suggest that runners should start training four months out from their race, but how accurate is this time period?

2019 Scotiabank Toronto Marathon. Photo: Matt Stetson

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or planning to tackle your first, one thing is true: it takes time to train for a marathon, as your body needs time to adapt to the pounding it will take during training and the race. 

But the timeline in which you should start training for a marathon depends on your running experience.

If starting from scratch, you’ll want to give yourself five to six months before your goal race to start preparing for the long haul of 42.2 kilometres. The first two months are focused on getting you in shape and acquainted with running four to five days a week, while mileage, speed and endurance are developed over the last 16 weeks.

Experienced runners can get away with two to four months of training before their goal race, since their bodies are familiar with high volume. This eight to 16-week period will be focused on quality over quantity. A long run and two speed workouts a week will be their bread and butter sessions to achieve a new personal best, interspersed with plenty of easy mileage.

Runners brave the wet fall conditions at the Muskoka Marathon. Photo: Scott Turnbull

You always want to train to your current level of fitness. Planning and executing this will help you train more consistently, stay healthy, see progress and prepare you to conquer that fall marathon.

It’s best to follow a training plan, so you don’t have to make decisions about what to do each day. Many running stores have clubs or training groups you can join for reasonable cost, that provide specific workouts depending on which days you want to run, as well as other people following the same plan, so you have company on those weekend long runs. 

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget