WIN a FREE Copy of our New Marathon Training Program
This Tuesday running coach Yuri Elkaim of Treadmill Trainer and myself will be finally releasing a beginner marathon program.
The program is called First Marathon Made Easy and it will include every aspect of running your first marathon. Nutrition, equipment, mind set, and injury prevention as well as a 16 week program are just a few of the topics we cover in this system.
Yuri and I have been working on this program for quite some time and we are really excited for you to see what we have put together. Tuesday the product goes live.
Something so cool about this program is the intervals we included. The intervals are recorded and coached, so you can just pop in your ear buds and follow the coaches voice. Anyhow, I don’t want to give it all away just yet, so be sure to check the site First Marathon Made Easy next Tuesday.
In the meantime, I’m giving you a chance to WIN A FREE COPY of this incredible 16-week marathon training program.
All you have to do to WIN your copy of this 16-week training program is the following:
Leave a comment below (250 words or less) stating WHY you need this beginner marathon training program to help you get ready for your first (or second, third, etc…) marathon.
This contest will be open until midnight tonight and we will be randomly selecting ONE lucky winner first thing in the morning.
leave us a comment as to why you deserve to win the program and WHY you need it!
Posted by admin | in Marathon, Run Training | 27 Comments
I thought I was quite ready for my first marathon last December. I had lost nearly 50 pounds last year, trained well and my goal was to finish in around 4 or 4 1/2 hours. Actually just to finish at all would be an accomplishment. During mile 5, I found that I had neglected certain areas. I had run long runs before and not had problems, but maybe it was the cold morning that attributed to it, but I had ITB trouble the rest of the race. And it steadily got worse. I ended up hobbling across the finish. I have since learned that strengthening excercises for the ITB is crucial for knee stability and endurance. This year I want to train smarter. Crosstrain. Run some trails. Vary it up more. Any help would appreciated.
This is awesome Jill! I NEED this program because I am running my first marathon in a few weeks and I may possibly be doing everything wrong!
I’ve gotten so many great tips from you in the past, and I have been faithfully blogging about my journey to become a marathoner at vanessaruns.com. This would be an amazing resource for me to add to what I have been learning. I’m also a super fast reader, so I know I can still find something to apply to my FIRST OF MANY marathons on October 17th! Thanks for doing this! 
I have never run a marathon, but I did promise myself I would after my son Tommy died five years ago in a car accident. Tommy was a runner, and when he was a little boy he would ride his bike along side me years ago when I ran. I was a runner in the 1970′s through the early 1980′s. I was away from running for many years, but in February 2010, I began running on my treadmill and then transferred my running outside. My goal was to run 30 minutes straight. I achieved that goal and now can run an hour straight. I ran my first 5K in more than 30 years this past June.
Achieving my running goal this year has given me the confidence to achieve many more of my goals, including running a marathon.
Six years ago I was over weight and out of shape. I rediscovered a healthy lifestyle thanks weight training and the power of running. I loss the weight but gained a new passion.
The need to run, after my first 5k I was hooked. I have a half marathon coming up and after that I really want to take it to the next level.
My goal is to run in the Marine Corp Marathon, I bet this program would assist me in getting my game on and being my best.
Thanks for this awesome opportunity.
Jill, I am currently training by myself for mt first Marathon. I need all the help I can get. Thanks, love your blog..
Hi Jill~
I am a 45 yr old newby runner. This program is something I could definitey use to train to be a better runner and future marathon runner.
P.S. I love your website.
Jill, I need this program because while I have run 3 marathons and a 50k trail run, I have yet to train for a race. It would help immensely to know how to properly prepare so that I might finish in a better time than just under 6 hours, and perhaps even not cramp up in my quads after 10-12 miles. It’s one thing to be able to finish, but i would like to enjoy it a bit more.
I am a lone wolf when it comes to training, not because I want to but due to time and logistics..(besides my face book buddies). I will be forty this month and preparing for my first marathon.
I have 3 children 13, 9 and 3 and my husband has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 4yrs ago..so most of the physical activities with the kids fall on me. Preparing myself physicaly, just gives me the strenght and stress relief I need to accomplish this. I get up at 4:30am as to not take away from any family time and early on saturday before kids get up to do my long run.
Winning this program will definately enhance my training and push me beyond my comfort zone. Why do I run..because my success is not determined by outside circumtances..Its about how I train, what I put in my mouth and pushing myself mentally.
Well after seeing fellow newbies to the endurance world postings here, I feel like we all have many things in common. We seem to all be training without running clubs or under direct coaching. After reading Nicole Johnson’s reasons, I nominate Her. We all live under adverse conditions of one form or another, but the difference in every person is how we choose to deal with it. Not knowing her and only reading her post makes me really happy to know that we still have good people in the world that work hard for what they have. I have a close friend that has given me much guidance throughout the last 13weeks and I cant help but feel like im bothering her. I will end up buying the book anyway since I have got so much guidance and help with confidence and training on your site. Thank you for the help!
Since we adopted our first child in January (she’s 3, from China, and has spina bifida), my training time and budget have gotten much tighter. I’ve been a self-coached triathlete for distances up to 70.3 since I lost 80 pounds (1/3 of my bodyweight) four years ago, and am running my first marathon this October. I’d love to get some more professional guidance for my next marathon that won’t break the bank for us!
Running my 2nd full marathon because my 1st (RnR San Diego) was a bust. Cramped up at mile 17 and had a miserable last 9 miles.
Dear Jill, I a hectic daily schedule raising 2 small kids and a full time job. I am an avid runner and will be running my first marathon on 10-10-10 in Chicago. I really need a well balanced plan that allow me to work out 4-5 days a week. While training for Chicago I did very little cross training and I would love a plan that incorprates it and gives me enough running to mentally prepare me for the race and enough cross training to physically prepare me…i can’t figure out the right balance. I am also in need of some good treadmill workouts b/c it is very easy for me to jump on my treadmill…I just get bored way too quickly
I think the running market place really needs a good beginner training program. People are taking a shot at running a half or full marathon in record numbers these days, and often have no idea where to begin. Personally, I am three weeks away from my first marathon and stumbled across the free Hal Higdon training guide. The guide tells me exactly how many miles to run on each day of the week, but really nothing else. A comprehensive program that covers nutrition, training psychology, stretching and other topics would have been great to have these past 15 weeks. I think you will have great success with your new product.
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get through a marathon. It seems like a marathon just trying to get to one. I booked my first one this October and started to train. I hit one of the hottest summers on record … over 110 most days. Then I pulled my hamstring. I still thought I’d make it. Then one of my contract positions gipped me out of ten grand. Well the marathon was out of town so that was that. I could not afford it.
Today was the half marathon I had trained for in preparation for the full. I wanted to run strong and do well. Instead I went to the visitation for my best friend’s mother who passed away last Wednesday. I wouldn’t have run anyway because I missed a step on my basement stairs and fell last week twisting my ankle. This all sounds like a bad soap opera but in the end things are as they should be. The fall kept me in during the morning to receive my friend’s call when she got the news her mother had passed and she needed a friend to be with her. The fall made me very available to simply be there. And this is the friend that was coming to the marathon with me to cheer me on and encourage me. Now she is using her vacation time to spend extra time home with her father through this difficult adjustment.
The marathon I had hoped was not meant to be. The soap opera was simply a series of situations that let me support a friend at a difficult time. But the desire is still there and, I believe, the time will come. So now it is only to re group, re plan, and start again. This time running with my friend so both of us can strive towards a goal together. Next spring or next fall I’m not sure but there will be a marathon for me and I need all the help I can get!! For that matter … we both do!
Running a marathon would be the ultimate experience and accomplishment for me especially after I run my first half marathon next Sunday. The fact that I’m running again – a high impact exercise – is beyond belief considering the Orthopedic Surgeon told me 14 years ago that all forms of high impact exercise should be avoided after the motor vehicle collision that broke my body and nearly took my life. My Rheumatologist and Primary Care Physician have told me they will support this “running thing” as long as I take care of myself and go easy on my body………..I’ve tackled the mental hurdles to get my mind ready, your training program can help get my body ready. Thank you.
Hi Jill,
I really need a progream like this to help me get through my Ironman 26 mile run. I am trying to learn how to like running, but it is not working. My body cramps. knees give out and my mine is try to tell my body to quit. I am not aquiter and that is why I could use this program to help me out in the last part of the Ironman. To complete my dreams. Thanks Greg Woods
I wanted to run in high school, but could not even do a mile without gasping for air. Turns out I have asthma. (And this was basically at sea level.) Then for years I used this as an excuse to not try again. My husband is a runner and I wanted to join him. I decided to give myself an early 50th birthday present and try again. It has taken me a year to learn how to run with asthma and it seems to be going well. I did a 10K recently in 62:00 in Boulder, CO. Living in the Colorado altitude does add a challenge. I am now want to do a marathon in the spring in Ft. Collins CO. I am trying to read up on the best training method, but with so many books and web sites, hard to find the one that is for me. Thanks!!
I have had a 40 year sabatical from running, except a little while i wasn’t driving (ha), and have made big strides this year, but failed to fix my trot/walk. Stopped smoking in Nov, started running June 1st and 2 weeks ago finished my first half, and with your advice of don’t put it off, today I finished my first tri (with a little boat help) on one of the hilliest courses around-Lake Carroll, IL. I am doing well, and probably my expectations are unrealistic, but i would love to drastically improve my walk/run ratio, and then would consider a marathon, i saw CIM was overall downhill and a place for PR and/or first timers, but it is rapidly approaching. Anyway, more progress is one way to say thanks to those who have been so kind and supportive, and more accountability would make progress easier, and i’m afraid of a lazy winter. Thanks aleays, Joe
I decided early this year to run my first marathon to get myself in better shape. I found one that gave me plenty of prep time and started training. Soon into my training I developed shin splints and had to lay off a while. A couple weeks after resuming running my legs were to tender to keep it up, this kept happening tru the summer till my race was impossible and I gave up on that race. I never thought I needed a program, I would have never thought running a marathon required more then getting off your butt and building your miles up but quickly realized when plagued by injuries that I need help. I have the desire and commitment but need guidence to reach my goal, I know your program could help me to finish that great milestone. Thank you, Tyler
WOW…..Incredible comments everyone! I loved reading every one of ‘em.
I think the best and fair way to decide is by drawing names from a hat. I will post that tomorrow….stay tuned!
This is so fantastic…..I am a new wogger, training to be a full future runner. First 1/2 marathon approaching in October. In my training I have found interval training difficult because needing my music to keep it going naturally is only half there, having to keep one earbud out so I can hear my watch beeping at each interval end/beginning.
At 50 years of age, I realised a life long ambition – to compete in my first Triathlon and have been hooked ever since. At now 55 years old, I would dearly love to run a marathon. I have an urge to feel that pain barrier that marathon runners push through to be successful. Having only run 10km fun runs, I know I will need help and I would love to follow your training program.
Hi Jill, I really need this program to train for my second marathon next April. Although I have successfully run a half marathon and several shorter races, my first marathon earlier this year was a bit of a disaster. I was a lot slower than I anticipated, but at least I finished. Judging by the quality of the advice on your website and Yuri’s expertise, this new program should be awesome and just the thing to help me run a great marathon.
Hi JIll – I am running my first marathon on Halloween weekend. I have been following a training program provided by our local running store and so far so good, but I love information! I would love to see how following a detailed, specific plan can make a difference in my overall running and how I feel on a day to day basis. Thanks for the opportunity!
Hi Jill, I am a 49 years old disabled veteran that has been training the past four months to run my first marathon. I will be running October 31st in the Marine Corps Marathon. I have faith that I will complete the run but also feel I could have been better prepared if I followed a detailed training plan. Up to this point I have suffered a few minor injuries that have set me back. I still am totally unsure about my nutrition as I feel that I need to loose more weight but found out that if I cut carbohydrates I do not have enough energy to complete my long runs. I lost some weight during training but not like I wanted to. Two weeks ago I purchased new running shoes and the sales rep (an ultra marathoner) advised me that I had been running in the wrong type of shoes for the way that my feet strike due to my disability. Had I known this from the start I might have avoided a lot of pain in my knees, feet, and back. The new shoes are helping now. My mind set at this point is to finish regardless of my time. I do want to have a good pace but am unsure about how to pace myself as my pace varies on my long runs depending on my energy level and how I feel that day. I am very determined and more than anything have faith that God will help me complete the race. This marathon will test me to my limit. I look forward to the challenge of becoming a better runner now and for my next marathon. Thanks for all your encouragement, help, and inspiration.
Hi Jill, I could really use this training program. I have been training for my first Marathon on10/10/10, but I think every week I learn something new that I should do or should not have done. Yesterday I ran my first 20 miler and it was a great run. I could only be so lucky for the Marathon to go so well. I would love to get your training program to finalize my training for this marathon and my next.
in a current first timers marathon training program, but feel like everyone, even though they are first timers as well, are still way ahead of the curve. I start an hour early just so I can finish with the rest. I can’t even find a partner because everyone is faster than me!
We only meet with a coach once a week, so I really don’t know if I am doing well or not. Also worried that my knees are hurting a little, and just have a ton of questions all around. I have used Yuri’s fitter you fitness program for a couple of years, so I know his programs are great!