This 12-Week, 6 day/week training program is sport-specifically designed to prepare athletes to run a Max Effort Marathon – your fastest possible. This plan is designed to be completed 12 weeks directly before your marathon. Week 12 in the plan is an unload/taper week so the plan can be completed directly before your marathon.
FITNESS ATTRIBUTES
This training program has 3 general objectives:
- Increase speed over ground
- Increase overall durability through total body and focused chassis integrity (functional core) strength training.
- Increase running aerobic base and efficiency for longer distance runs
This training plan deploys multiple running assessments, (3-mile, 6-mile, and 9-mile) and uses assessment performance for the follow-on progressions. In this way, the plan automatically “scales” to the incoming running fitness and speed of each individual athlete.
While this plan includes strength training, the focus is on running speed and performance.
This is Version 1 of this plan, designed March 2020.
Speed Over Ground Work
This 12-week training deploys multiple 3-mile, 6-mile and 9-mile running assessments and uses the athlete’s assessment time to dictate paces for follow-on, shorter, fast intervals.
- Weeks 1-3 deploy 3-mile running assessments and 1-mile repeats based upon your assessment times
- Weeks 3-5 deploy 6-mile running assessments and 2-mile repeats based upon your assessment times
- Weeks 5-11 deploy 9-mile running assessments and 3-mile repeats base upon your assessment times
Aerobic Base/Longer Runs
While the Speed Over Groundwork in the plan is anchored in 3 to 7-week blocks, the plan’s easy and moderate longer run distances increase throughout the plan.
You’ll run easy, medium distance once per week.
You’ll run moderate-paced, long-distances runs once per week on Saturdays.
Below is the weekly mileage in the plan:
Week Mileage
1 15
2 18
3 22
4 26
5 30
6 32
7 35
8 38
9 20
10 42
11 21
12 18
Strength Work
This training plan includes total body (lower/upper) and chassis integrity (functional core) strength programming to address strength imbalances, add work for non-running days, and increase overall durability.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
- Mon: Assessment or Speed over Ground Intervals
- Tue: Strength/Chassis Integrity
- Wed: Speed over Ground Intervals
- Thu: Medium Distance, Easy-pace Run
- Fri: Chassis Integrity
- Sat: Long Distance, Moderate-pace Run
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is the Required Equipment?
- Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (a smartphone will work)
- Fully-equipped weight room with a squat rack, bench, barbell, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells
- Sandbag – 40# for women, 60# for men
- Foam Roller
How Long do the Sessions Last?
60-180 minutes depending upon your running pace. Longest days will be the Thursday easy run and Saturday long moderate-pace runs. Gym-based sessions are designed to last 30-50 minutes.
How does the Max Effort Marathon Training Plan differ from the Meathead Marathon Training Plan?
The Max Effort Marathon Training Plan is 12 weeks long, and designed to prepare the athlete to run their fastest possible marathon. The Meathead Marathon Training Plan is 8 weeks long, and designed to prepare athletes to complete a marathon without suffering, and still maintain strength and size.
What if I miss a day?
If you miss a day, make up the session you missed the next day and follow the programming as prescribed. The programming is progressive – it builds upon itself. Don’t skip ahead.
What does 25/35# Dumbbell Crawl mean? What about 3/5x Chin Ups.\
25/35# Dumbbell Crawl = women use 25#, men use 35#
3/6x Chin Ups = Women do 3x, Men do 6x.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculator is listed as an exercise.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Yes. Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming.
How do I access the plan?
You can access the plan via username and password either through our website or through our app (Mtn Tactical Fitness) available for IOS and Android.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time
More Questions? Email: coach@mtntactical.com
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.
- Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (a smartphone will work)
- Fully-equipped weight room with a squat rack, bench, barbell, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells
- Sandbag - 40# for women, 60# for men
- Foam Roller
Below is Week 1 from this Training Plan:
***************************
SESSION 1
Obj: Running Assessment
Warm Up:
4 Rounds
5x Push Ups
5x Walking Lunge
Run 100m
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) Run 3 Miles for Time
RECORD FINISH TIME
(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Pigeon Stretch
Frog Stretch
***************************
SESSION 2
Obj: Strength, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
10x Back Squat @ 45/75#
3/5x Scotty Bobs @ 25#
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 5 Rounds
6x Back Squat - increase load rapidly each round until 6x is hard, but doable
8x Kettlebell Floor Press - increase load rapidly each round until 8x is hard, but doable
3/6x Pull Ups
Toe Touch Complex
(2) 15 Minute Grind …
5x Sandbag Getup @ 40/60# (Alternate Shoulders each Round)
5x Keg Lift @ 40/60# Sandbag
10x Dumbbell-Kettlebell Hinge Lift @ 25/35#
“Grind” = work steadily, not frantically, through the circuit
(3) Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
***************************
SESSION 3
Obj: Speed Over Ground Intervals
Warm Up:
4 Rounds
5x Push Ups
5x Walking Lunge
Run 100m
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 3 Rounds
Run 1 Mile at “Per Mile Interval Pace” using your SESSION 1, 3-Mile Running Assessment and the MTI Running Interval Calculator.
Rest 8 Minutes between efforts
(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Pigeon Stretch
Frog Stretch
***************************
SESSION 4
Obj: Easy Pace Run
Training:
(1) Run 3 miles at an Easy Pace
"Easy" = you can speak in full sentences while running
(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Instep Stretch
Pigeon Stretch
***************************
SESSION 5
Obj: Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
4 Rounds
5x Push Ups
5x Walking Lunge
10x Sit Ups
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 15 Minute Grind ...
5x Kneeling Plate Half Moon @ 25/35#
5x Sandbag Getup @ 40/60# (Alternate Shoulders each Round)
5x Keg Lift @ 40/60# Sandbag
15/15 Standing Founder
"Grind" = work steadily, not frantically through the exercises in this circuit for the prescribed time or rounds
(3) 2 Rounds
Toe Touch Complex
Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
***************************
SESSION 6
Obj: Moderate Pace Run
Training:
(1) Run 6 miles at a Moderate Pace
"Moderate" = Comfortable but not easy
(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Instep Stretch
Pigeon Stretch
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website or Mobile App →IOS and Android.
Do you have downloadable .pdf's of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.
Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.
What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete's Subscription?
- Plan - Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
- Packet - Like purchasing the DVD's of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
- Athlete's Subscription - Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.
If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.
Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.
If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.
If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you'll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.
What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com