By mid-August, most fall marathoners are in the thick of training. Longer long runs and more intense miles.

But now is the perfect time to start thinking ahead if you want to PR this fall.

There's one training strategy that has been shown to shave an average of 5 minutes off your marathon time.

I know, I know, it sounds like some click-baity internet hack, right?

It's not really a "hack," but it's something that up to 64% of recreational marathoners aren't doing.

Ooh, so now it's a click-baity internet secret that no one knows about...

I mean, it's not a secret, but if the studies are really true that 64% of marathoners aren't doing this, then yeah, it's kind of in secret-hack territory that more people should know about.

So I'm doing my part and sharing it with you now.

It's a well-disciplined, three-week strict taper.

Strict tapers progressively decrease training in the weeks before the marathon. A relaxed taper and/or a shorter taper (which is what researchers found 64% of runners are doing) is associated with worse outcomes.

Here's how to taper exactly right...

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read more (6 minutes)

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ask me anything

Q:

I see you have my marathon pace at 10:15-10:35/mile. Is this based on what you think I can do due to past history? I am aiming for a BQ so my pace needs to be 9:45-9:55 for my age group. Do you think that’s too much?

A:

This question is one of the most common ones I get from runners.

(And the answer has nothing to do with what I think you can run.)

It's completely logical that if you want to race at x pace you need to be training at x pace, right?

Wrong.

It might be easier to understand why not by using an example from strength training.

Let's say your goal is to deadlift 200 pounds. But right now, your max is 150. If I suggested that you just go lift your goal weight to train for lifting your goal weight, you'd look at me like I lost my mind.

The difference between this example and marathon training is that in running, you have the ability to run your marathon goal pace for shorter distances.

So you might assume that the way to run longer at goal pace is to run longer at goal pace in training.

Sorry, but it just doesn't work that way.

Your training paces should be based on your current fitness, not your goals. Typically, recent races are the best indicator of your current fitness.

Training harder doesn't help you reach your goals faster. It simply trains you for a different goal than what you are actually trying to train for.

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podcast

Jocelyn Benson just might be wired differently.

She’s run around 40 marathons with no specific training, very few rest days, and no long runs.

She even ran Boston 8 months pregnant!

And oh yeah, she also happens to be the Michigan Secretary of State.

How and why does Jocelyn Benson train the way she does with such a high-profile career?

Let’s find out on today's Planted Runner Podcast.​

We talk about:

• How running came into her life and why she still does it,
• How and why she chose to run the Boston Marathon 8 months pregnant, and
• Why she shows up at local 5ks to run and talk with everyday people about the big problems to solve

If you’re worried this episode might get political, no need. We stick to running, but no matter what your personal views are, I’m convinced you will find Jocelyn to be inspiring.

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inspo

“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.”

— Leonard Bernstein

Have a great run today, Coach Claire

P.S. Are you ready for a breakthrough in your running this fall? Join the PR Team for coaching, community, and so much more. You don't have to do this alone!

Thank you for being a part of the Planted Runner community!

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My mission is to help runners just like you reach goals they never dreamed possible through science-backed training and plant-based nutrition.

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Since 2016, I've helped thousands of every day runners become fitter, faster, and stronger with truly customized training and coaching.

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I also love to share what I have learned from my own journey starting as a non-runner to a 2:58 marathoner at age 42, as well what I have learned coaching runners, completely FREE. I do that every week in this newsletter and on the Planted Runner Podcast.

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Being a part of this email community ensures that you first access to everything we have coming up – from free running and nutrition guides, to events like workshops and retreats, and so much more to help you get results.

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