Go all in for 2025. Purchase a training plan and get 15% off Premium at checkout for a limited time.

Browse More Plans

Sub 3:30 Marathon Plan

Browse More Plans

Sub 3:30 Marathon Plan

Author

Jonny Mellor

All plans by this Coach
4.91 (11)

Length

15 Weeks

Plan Description

The new and improved Sub 3-Hour 30-Minutes Marathon Training Plan is designed for runners who want to run inside 3:30 in their next marathon. If you have run close to 3:30 before or ran around 1:38-1:44 for the half marathon distance then this plan is perfect for you.


This plan is aimed at runners who can already run up to 12-miles during week 1 of the training schedule. If you’re not yet here I would suggest building up to this distance prior to starting the plan.


With in-depth information on every part of the build up, each week is packed with tips, workouts, and insights from myself, to give you all the tools and structure you need to succeed. I share knowledge gained from working with a range of different athletes and my own athletic career to help you train efficiently, manage time effectively, execute better on race day and enjoy the ride! Plus, gain complimentary access to JM Run Club - a library of running resources and training advice to help you make the most of your plan.


Your plan also includes downloadable guides on using the plan, injury prevention and nutrition advice to prepare for the marathon. This plan also includes access to a 12-page PDF document detailing pre race nutrition and some ideas on helping get your mind right ahead of race day.


The following programme is devised from proven research and experience of what some of the worlds leading athletes and coaches have used and also from personal experience, knowing what has worked and what has impaired or halted my progression as an athlete. My coaching influences come from previous personal coaches and my current lead coach Steve Vernon a former British National Cross-Country Champion and International Mountain Runner. I also draw information from research gained from some of the world’s top coaches.


I started coaching in 2013 to support my athletics career and have since gone onto successfully coach a number of runners of varying ages and abilities via JM Coaching. To date I have ran 8-marathons and I have personal bests of 62:23 for half marathon set at New York in 2017 and 2:10:03 at Seville (2020) inside the Olympic Qualifying time of 2:11:30. Representing England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, I have won multiple national titles over various distances.


In purchasing this plan you're also helping to support Jonny Mellor, an international distance runner based in the UK to fund and support his own career within the sport as well as giving him the platform to compete with some of the worlds best runners.


To ensure the athlete is suitably prepared I like to split marathon build up into four phases:


• Phase 1: Base
Slow paced continuous runs
Hills
Progression runs

• Phase 2: Transition
Race specific sessions
Hills/Intervals
Tempo Runs

• Phase 3: Race specific work
Race specific work
Tempo Runs

• Phase 4: Taper
Target pace work
Easy Running


This structure enables us to stimulate desired training adaptations, ensure each run has a purpose and train efficiently. This will help reduce the risk of overtraining; burnout and injury ensuring you arrive at race day in peak physical condition. I adjust the frequency, intensity and duration of the workouts each week in a progressive manner in order to meet the desired objectives for that training block.


A typical week:


• Monday - Intervals
• Tuesday - Optional Strength Training
• Wednesday - Easy Running
• Thursday - Tempo Based
• Friday - Recovery Day
• Saturday - Long Run
• Sunday - Easy Running


As well as marathon pace specific workouts I implement 5 and 10km training sessions into your programme to ensure you are keeping in touch with the speed work. Thus allowing you to run marathon pace much easier during the race.


Head over to my testimonials page https://www.jmcoaching.co.uk/testimonials/ to see what my clients have to say about my coaching services or checkout my Google profile by searching for JM Coaching.

How it Works

Load Your Plan

Quickly view upcoming workouts in the TrainingPeaks app.

Workout and Analyze

Upload completed workouts from your favorite tracking app or device.

Track Your Progress

Get feedback, stay on top of your training and perform at your best.

Learn More

Training Plan Sample Week

Stats

Average Weekly Breakdown

Workouts Weekly Average Longest Workout
Run x6
05:54:00 03:00:00
Strength x2
00:54:00 00:30:00
Day Off x1
—— ——
Workouts Per Week Weekly Average Longest Workout
Run
05:54:00 03:00:00
Strength
00:54:00 00:30:00
Day Off
—— ——

Training Load By Week


This plan works best with the following fitness devices:

Jonny Mellor

JM Coaching

My coaching philosophy is devised from proven research and experience of what some of the worlds leading athletes and coaches have used and also from personal experience, knowing what has worked and what has impaired or halted my progression as an athlete. I am a current Great Britain International Athlete and have successfully coached a series of athletes using very similar approaches. My coaching influences come from previous personal coaches and my current lead coach and mentor Steve Vernon.


  • This plan includes a Free Basic TrainingPeaks Account.
  • Access your training plan anywhere on the TrainingPeaks mobile and desktop apps.
  • Track your performance with robust data tracking and detailed graphs.
  • Plan for your event in the TrainingPeaks calendar.
  • Track your weight, sleep, hours, fatigue and stress while you train.
  • Completed workouts sync with popular apps like Garmin and Wahoo. Learn More
  • If plan includes Structured Workouts, then planned workouts sync to compatible devices and guide you through workouts in real time. Learn More

Refund Policy

This plan is protected by our Refund Policy and may, with the author's approval, be exchanged for a plan of equal value from the same author.

Still have questions about this plan?
| Premium

15% Off

Bundle your plan with TrainingPeaks Premium, and you'll unlock our progress-tracking tools, plus the freedom to move workouts to fit your schedule.

$106.24 USD for the first year, billed yearly.

$24.99 - Buy Now