How to Train for the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Spring is quickly approaching, and so is marathon season. Here in BC where I live, runners are thinking about how to train for the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 3, 2020. Whether you are running 42.2km, 21.1km, 8km, or a Relay running event this Spring, it is time to plan your training! 

Marathon Running Training

Training for your running event should start 12 to 15 weeks before the event date. I started to train for the BMO Vancouver Marathon in January, and am going to run the half marathon. As an experienced runner, I know how difficult planning out training on your own can be. How do you combine long runs, short runs, speed, hills, and rest days to get the best results? It can be overwhelming to say the least.

There are many free online run programs that you can follow, but my favourite is to join a running group with a qualified running coach. The coach does all of the planning and helps you to reach your goals, while the group adds a level of accountability and camaraderie. If you don’t show up, everyone wants to know why! 

In our community of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, there is a little shop in Osprey Village, called Sole Experience. From the outside, it looks like a standard running store that sells shoes and running gear; but it is so much more. The owner, Eric Muller, is an awesome running coach. He will get you through your first 10km or an intense ultra-trail race. His programs include personalized programs and group training programs, including half marathon training. I love Sole Experience so much that I also lead running groups there!

Running training is clearly important when you train for the BMO Vancouver Marathon or any other race. But ensuring that your body is strong, flexible, and mobile so you can avoid common running injuries is even more important. If your body isn’t ready to run, no amount of running will get you to your goals. 

Non-Running Marathon Training 

Strength training is key to ensuring your body is “ready to run”. When you first start training for a race, you might be able to run for a few weeks and feel great. Maybe you’ll even feel some muscle tightness or aches after your run, but that is normal. As the distances and intensity of your training increase, however, your body will quickly tell you if something is wrong. 

If you feel recurrent pain in one area, are slow to recover, or feel extreme fatigue in certain muscles, your body is trying to tell you something. All of these (and other aches and pains) are commonly caused by weakness, imbalance, or poor joint mobility, such as in the ankles or hips. 

To prevent symptoms like these and injuries from happening, I recommend a diverse workout when you train for a marathon. Strength training on its own will offer some benefit, but I am partial to (you guessed it!) Pilates. Pilates gives you a workout that includes strengthening, stretching, and mobility exercises – all of which will help you avoid running injuries. No matter what workout you supplement your marathon training with, be sure to include a good cool down stretch and a foam rolling or stick rolling routine.  

Supporting Your Marathon Training

Marathon training is intense, and it can be hard to stay on track. Life gets busy, the workouts get harder, and your body will take time to adjust. Even as a fitness professional, I find that sticking to a running program can be difficult. 

That is why you will soon find a six-week program to fill in the blanks of your own running program on the b.PILATES & FITNESS App. You will get running-focussed Pilates classes and strength workouts that you can do at home, as well as tutorials to help you get stronger and recover faster. The best part? You will be part of our online community, with accountability checks built right in. 

Six-Week Running Program on the b.PILATES & FITNESS App

This six-week running program is designed to support your running routine, whether you are training for the BMO Marathon or are just getting started. 

Details:

• 6 Weeks Long
• $30 +GST
• Starts Saturday, March 21
• You do the workouts on your own time, but we progress through the weeks together

Includes:

• 6 Pilates or Strength at-home Workouts
• 6 Tutorials including: pre/post run stretching, foam rolling, foot & toe mobility exercises
• Support from me and the other group members

So what comes after the six-week program? I am excited to be building out a larger program to take you through your full marathon, half-marathon, or 10km training while avoiding injury and feeling amazing.

Ready to join the b.PILATES & FITNESS Online Running Group?

Join the newsletter (bottom of the homepage) to find out when and where you can sign up! 

b.HEALTHY, b.HAPPY, b.STRONG.