Marathon plan, 3 sessions a week
You have 3 slots a week. 17 weeks, 3 sessions a week, up to 50 km and a 2h40 long run at the peak. Here is how Endu spreads a Marathon preparation over 3 sessions: the long run is protected, the quality session comes next, easy runs fill what is left.
- weeks
- 17
- sessions
- 52
- sessions / week
- 3
- peak week
- 5 h
Plan structure
Periodised in phases: build the base, move to race-specific work, then taper before the race.
- General preparationWeeks 1–2 · 2 wk
- BaseWeeks 3–7 · 5 wk
- BuildWeeks 8–11 · 4 wk
- SpecificWeeks 12–14 · 3 wk
- TaperWeeks 15–16 · 2 wk
- Race weekWeeks 17–17 · 1 wk
Volume progression
Week by week: lighter recovery weeks are built in to absorb the load.
| Wk | Phase | Hours | km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General preparation | 3.1 h | 30 |
| 2 | General preparation | 3.3 h | 33 |
| 3 | Baserecovery | 2.6 h | 25 |
| 4 | Base | 3.5 h | 35 |
| 5 | Base | 3.7 h | 36 |
| 6 | Base | 3.9 h | 39 |
| 7 | Baserecovery | 3 h | 30 |
| 8 | Build | 4.1 h | 40 |
| 9 | Build | 4.3 h | 43 |
| 10 | Build | 4.5 h | 46 |
| 11 | Buildrecovery | 3.5 h | 36 |
| 12 | Specific | 4.7 h | 47 |
| 13 | Specific | 4.8 h | 48 |
| 14 | Specific | 5 h | 50 |
| 15 | Taper | 3.8 h | 38 |
| 16 | Taper | 2.9 h | 29 |
| 17 | Race week | 2.1 h | 21 |
Sample week — week 9 (Build)
Real sessions from the plan with their targets. Each session is detailed step by step, and can be sent to a Garmin or COROS watch.
- MondayEasy1 h 12 easy1 h 12 · 11.6 km
- TuesdayVery hard6 × 600 m at MAS2 min jog recovery52 min · 9.6 km
- SundayEasyLong run 2 h 132 h 13 · 21.5 km
Example generated for a intermediate-level profile (MAS 15 km/h, 3 days available per week). Your plan will depend on your level, availability and feedback.
This plan’s check-up
Pass
A 17-week build (recommended minimum: 12); a longest run never more than 8% above the previous month’s; 91% of the time at easy effort; the longest session 3 weeks before the race; a taper cutting volume by 58% in race week.
2 worth knowing · 16 checks passed
Remarks
Strength training — No strength session.
Fueling — Long sessions (up to 160 min in this plan) are where race fueling is rehearsed.
The 16 checks passed, in detail
Length of the build — 17 weeks: enough for this race (recommended minimum: 12).
Sessions per week — 3 sessions a week: the minimum for this race is met.
Volume progression — Running volume rises smoothly from week to week.
Long run increase — Each week, the longest run is at most 8% longer than the longest of the previous month (benchmark: 10%).
Lighter weeks — A lighter week comes back regularly (weeks 3, 7, 11, 15).
Weight of the long run — The long run keeps a reasonable share of the week.
Intensity distribution — About 91% of the time at easy effort: the most common distribution among trained endurance athletes.
Demanding sessions — No more than 2 demanding session(s) a week: suited to the level.
Hard days back to back — Demanding sessions are separated by easy days.
Rest days — At least one rest day a week.
Easy run pace — Easy runs are truly easy (slower than 5:43/km).
Race-specific work — 8 race-specific sessions in the last block.
Timing of the longest session — The longest session falls 3 weeks before the race: the right time.
Taper — Volume drops 58% in race week.
Intensity during the taper — Short race-pace efforts remain in the last two weeks.
Frequency during the taper — The number of sessions stays close to usual (117%).
Endu runs its own plans through the plan check open to everyone: same public rules, same thresholds, same sources. The rules and their sources, and a check of your own plan.
Your plan, not a template athlete's
This plan is generated for an athlete at intermediate level with 3 days available per week. Yours will be calibrated on your MAS, your available days and your feedback after every session. 3 minutes. 14-day trial, cancel anytime.
Create my plan for MarathonFrequently asked questions
- Marathon on 3 sessions a week: how many weeks of preparation?
- For an athlete at intermediate level, Endu builds a 17-week preparation. If your race is closer, the plan compresses phases while keeping the taper; if it's further away, it lengthens the preparation, and when the gap is large the preparation starts right away, gently and at your current volume, before building up.
- Is this plan well built?
- Pass at Endu’s plan check, the same as for any plan: 16 of 16 checks passed. A 17-week build (recommended minimum: 12); a longest run never more than 8% above the previous month’s; 91% of the time at easy effort; the longest session 3 weeks before the race; a taper cutting volume by 58% in race week. The rules and their sources are public on endu.fr/en/controle-technique.
- How many sessions per week?
- This example has 3 sessions per week. You choose 3 to 7 training days and the exact days (e.g. Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun): the plan sticks to them.
- Can I follow sessions on my watch?
- Yes, on Garmin and COROS. On Garmin, the Endu app (Connect IQ Store) shows today’s session and starts it as a guided workout. On COROS, link your account from your profile: your running, trail and cycling sessions land in the watch calendar. Other brands are not supported yet.
- How much does it cost?
- 14-day free trial, then €7.99/month with no commitment or €59.88/year (€4.99/month). Unlimited objectives and sports.