There are choices that feel far off in the distance – like buying a ticket for a concert months in advance, and then – time warp – you find yourself checking the weather every hour the day before. Training for a fall marathon is a lot like that: you think you’ve got all the time in the world, and then suddenly it’s September and you’re wondering where all those miles you were supposed to run went.
If you’re thinking about running a marathon between September and November, the best time to start training is *right now*. Not tomorrow. Not next month.
Now.
Because a marathon isn’t something you just do. It’s something you build. Slowly, patiently, without shortcuts. It’s a little bit like programming: the finish line is crossed way before race day. You earn it long before you get there.
May to November: your marathon prep timeline
May: building your base
Think of May as laying the foundation of a house. There’s no need (yet) for punishing long runs – what you want is a solid aerobic base. That means running 3 to 4 times a week with easy or progressive runs to help you rack up miles without obsessing over speed.
The goal? Increase your weekly mileage without pushing too hard. If you’re running 15 miles a week now, aim to hit 20–25 miles by the end of the month.
June: boosting your efficiency
As the days get longer and outdoor concerts start popping up (along with the temptation of post-work beers), it’s time to make your training a bit more structured. Add some quality work: fartleks, short intervals, progressive runs.
You don’t need killer speed – just enough variation to help your engine run more efficiently. Keep building mileage, but now start giving your heart and legs a little more to chew on.
July: when endurance takes center stage
It’s hot – sometimes brutally hot – and yet July is when you start to see if you *really* want to show up for your marathon. Long runs become the focus: think 12, 15, 16 miles.
Be smart: respect the heat instead of fighting it. Run early in the morning or later in the evening, stay hydrated, and dial down the pace. If you make it through July without major setbacks, you’re halfway there.
August: the hardest – and most important – month
Training in August is like playing in a grunge band in the mid-’90s: not everyone gets it, but the ones who do, mean it.
With vacations, travel, and general summer chaos, this is when marathon plans are either made – or broken. Keep going with your long runs, add your first real long-long one (18–20 miles), and pay close attention to recovery.
August is also a great time to run a test race – maybe a half marathon at an easy pace, just to see where you’re at and get a feel for race dynamics.
September: sharpening your form
September’s not about building anymore – it’s about refinement.
Start cutting mileage (this is the legendary “tapering” phase) while keeping some quality sessions to stay sharp. Throw in a couple of long runs in the 18–20 mile range, then begin dialing things down.
Shorter races (6–9 miles) at a strong pace are great for sharpening speed without overloading the legs.
October: the peak of your prep
If your race is in mid or late October, you’ve arrived.
Week by week, reduce your training volume. Focus on sleep, nutrition, and staying mentally relaxed. Don’t overdo it: the urge to “make up for lost miles” is real, but it’s also a fast track to injury.
If your marathon is in November, just follow the same plan – shifted two weeks later.
Common mistakes to avoid
Running too much. Running too hard. Thinking “more is better.” Ignoring your body. Skipping on nutrition and hydration.
And most of all: being impatient.
You don’t wing a marathon. You *build* it – with discipline and respect. Day by day. Mile by mile.
How to stay motivated?
Set milestone goals – not just the final one. Celebrate progress, even the small wins: your first long run over 15 miles, the first time you feel like you’re managing the heat instead of suffering through it, your first prep race with a smile on your face at the finish line.
And never forget to enjoy yourself. If running becomes just another chore, even the marathon will lose its meaning.
Just like in life: if you don’t enjoy the journey, what’s the point of reaching the destination?