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16 Week Advanced Marathon Training Plan with Strength Training

For advanced-level runners aiming to become stronger and reach their best possible performance.

Experience Level

Advanced

Number of Weeks

16

Training Plan Introduction

You’re no stranger to hard work, but taking your marathon performance to the next level can feel like a challenge.

You’ve got the fitness, but how do you fine-tune your endurance, speed, and mental toughness for race day?

This 16-week plan is built for athletes like you who are determined to smash personal records, elevate race strategies, and push beyond previous limits. With carefully structured sessions, you’ll target key areas like pacing, endurance, and speed, ensuring every run counts.

By the end, you’ll cross that finish line faster and stronger, having built the resilience and confidence to handle race-day intensity. This plan is your roadmap to achieving the marathon performance you’ve always dreamed of.

 

Is This The Advanced Marathon Training Plan You Need?

  • Efficiency and Progress: With 4 to 6 meticulously structured runs per week and a weekly strength session, every workout builds your resilience, strength, and speed.
  • Proven Phases of Training: From base building to peak performance, the plan ensures steady progress and comprehensive preparation.
  • Smart Integration: Seamlessly syncs with your smartwatch, keeping you on track and fully aware of your progress.

Targets of the Plan

  • Develop speed endurance and sustain it over the marathon distance.
  • Gain the confidence and ability to incorporate race-specific intensity into your training.
  • Arrive at race day feeling fresh, strong, and ready to perform at your absolute best.
  • Build the strength to maintain optimal running form and reduce injury risk.

 

This isn’t just a plan; it’s the key to unlocking your potential and proving to yourself that you can rise to any challenge. It’s about pride in your training, the thrill of progress, and the satisfaction of achieving something truly extraordinary.

 

Key Features

Structured Training

  • Four distinct phases tailored to build endurance, speed, and peak performance.
  • 4-6 Runs Per Week, including a double-run day for maximizing efficiency.
  • Weekly strength sessions focused on strengthening your core, legs, and hips to enhance performance and prevent injuries.
  • Guidance for sessions that can optimally be swapped for club runs.

Integrated Smartwatch Support:

  • Live tracking to keep you on course.

Progressive Variety:

  • Race pace efforts, speed sessions, and tapering for race day.
  • Sessions progress as you do.

Time-Efficient Sessions:

  • Average session length just over an hour.
  • Shorter midweek sessions to fit in with a busy working week.

Who Is This Strength Focused Marathon Training PlanPlan For?

This plan is designed for experienced marathon runners who want to elevate their performance. Before starting, you should be comfortable running 40-50km per week.

What You Get:

  • 4-6 runs per week with a double session day to sensibly increase running strength when fatigued.
  • 1 Strength session per week to build resilience of your core, legs, and hips and support your running form, prevent injury, and enhance overall performance.
  • 2 Rest days per week.

 

16 Weeks of Detailed, Progressive Training
  • Weeks 1-5: Base building with early race pace efforts to set a strong foundation.
  • Weeks 6-9: Increased training volume and race pace work to develop stamina.
  • Weeks 10-14: Pushing limits with higher volume and speed-focused sessions above race pace.
  • Weeks 15-16: Peaking and tapering to ensure optimal recovery and readiness for race day.
    All sessions are structured to balance intensity with recovery, ensuring consistent progress while preventing burnout.

 

A fully integrated training calendar for seamless scheduling.

Email support whenever you need help or motivation.

 

Added Extra Benefits

Expert Support: Backed by 13 years of coaching experience.

Smartwatch Integration: Make the most of your training tech to follow every workout live.

Training Plan Information: Know exactly how to get the most out of the training plan.

  • Welcome document explaining setting up your training plan and terminology
  • Race day guides and a sensible warm up routine with videos.

 

Your Next Level Awaits

This plan will have you develop the endurance, speed, and mental toughness required to excel on race day. Take on the challenge, embrace the journey, and achieve heights you never thought possible!

Training Plan Sample(s)

Training Plan Cost

Training plans are processed in USD $. Conversions are estimates.

Full Compatibility

This training plan is compatible with...

Your Coach

Chris Searle the head coach of efficient endurance

Hi, I’m Chris.

I’m a UK-based, qualified running and triathlon coach with 12 years of professional experience.

I’ve coached athletes to achieve everything from parkrun personal bests to podium finishes at national events.

My approach focuses on efficient training methods to help you reach your running goals, whether that is completing your first race or setting a new PB.

FAQ's

These plans are tailored for athletes of all levels, from beginners to advanced, looking to maximize their performance. If you’re unsure of which level you are, get in touch!

The only thing you need is a trainingpeaks account and the usual running kit (running shoes and adequate clothing) but to get the most out of your training plan, having the following would be ideal:

  • Compatible* smartwatch

The following items are optimal but not necessary:

  • Chest Based Heart Rate Monitor

*All common devices sync with trainingpeaks, check here to see if your device is compatible with the structured workout feature so you can follow your sessions on the go.

Training sessions are written in an optimal order for improvement, progression and recovery, but plans change and when they do you can move sessions across days and weeks with a premium training peaks account.

If you need to move things around but are not sure what is best, get in touch and I will help you out.

Most likely. Plans that have strength sessions included use weights such as dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells and cable machines. You don’t have to do these sessions but they add another dimension to your training that running alone can not do.

Sometimes, we have to miss a session, life gets in the way. Fortunately these plans are robust and consistency and efficiency will keep you progressing. Don’t fret over a missed session and don’t try and catch up either, you will still keep moving forwards.

You can adjust the schedule or swap sessions with a premium training peaks account; email support is available for advice if you’re unsure of what to do.

Every session includes detailed instructions and the rationale behind it. Feel free to email if further clarification is needed.

Improved endurance, better race-specific fitness, and confidence on race day. Results depend on how disciplined you are to the plan- it is designed to keep you motivated.

Our guarantee ensures that you are on the right training plan for you. If you find your plan is too much, too little, too hard or too easy, get in touch and we will swap you onto a more suitable plan.

We would love to issue refunds but do not have the option for this as payment is taken by trainingpeaks.

Absolutely! Email support is available for guidance and motivation.

We only provide support for the duration of your plan and 2 weeks afterwards. If you would like coaching after your plan, get in touch!

Why choose Efficient Endurance

Efficient Endurance Training Plan

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Ability-based plans & email support
  • Expert Input - Designed by a qualified, experienced coach
  • Structured Progression - Detailed progression
  • Detailed Sessions - Clear explanation of how sessions support your goal
  • Training Volume - Balanced for your level
  • Race-Specific Prep - Includes taper weeks & race guides
  • Strength Training - Targeted strength sessions*
  • Cross Training** - Cross training sessions available**
  • Tech Integration - Compatible with smartwatches
  • Support & Advice - Email support from a coach
  • Plan Guarantee - Free plan swap if needed
  • Cost - $3 per week

Free Training Plan

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Generic & non-specific
  • Expert Input - No professional input
  • Structured Progression - Some progression
  • Detailed Sessions - No explanations
  • Training Volume - Inconsistent and limited
  • Detailed Sessions - No race-specific advice
  • Race-Specific Prep - Not included
  • Strength Training - Not Included
  • Cross Training** - Not included
  • Tech Integration - No compatibility
  • Support & Advice - No support offered
  • Plan Guarantee - No other plans
  • Cost - Free

Other Premium Training Plans

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Limited ability variations
  • Expert Input - Created by a qualified coach
  • Structured Progression - Include generic progression
  • Detailed Sessions - No explanations
  • Training Volume - Suitable volume for athletes
  • Race-Specific Prep - Minimal race-day strategy
  • Strength Training - May have generic strength work
  • Cross Training** - Not included
  • Tech Integration - May have device compatibility
  • Support & Advice - Occasional support, sometimes outsourced
  • Plan Guarantee - Limited or no guarantee
  • Cost - $3-5 per week

AI Training Plan

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Algorithm-based, lacks nuance
  • Expert Input - Automated, no human touch
  • Structured Progression - Only if the algorithm says so
  • Detailed Sessions - No explanations
  • Training Volume - Metrics can miscalculate workload
  • Race-Specific Prep - Lacks detailed guidance
  • Strength Training - Rarely included
  • Cross Training** - Sometimes compatible
  • Tech Integration - May have device compatibility
  • Support & Advice - No human support available
  • Plan Guarantee - No guarantees
  • Cost - $10+ per week

* Strength training included on some training plans at additional cost

** Cross training is available on some specific plans

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