Marathon Handbook Podcast How Long Should Your Long Run Be? Marathon vs Half vs 10K + Fueling & Long Run Mistakes
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Jan 15, 2026 The hosts dive into what defines a long run and its importance for various race distances. Alex shares his exhilarating experience at the Houston Half Marathon, highlighting pacing strategies. They discuss the optimal length for long runs, with insights into how to structure them throughout training blocks. Fueling basics for endurance are covered, alongside common mistakes runners make, like pacing too fast or neglecting recovery. Listeners receive practical tips to enhance their long run experience and overall performance.
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Pre-Modern Marathon Prep Was Different
- Historic training once included full-day walks and cigarette use before modern long-run theory.
- Early 20th-century racers prepared with hikes rather than extended runs.
Use Late Quality To Train Fatigued Speed
- Adding quality late in long runs trains recruiting faster muscle fibers under fatigue.
- That specificity helps you handle the late-race demands of marathon or half efforts.
Add Time-Based Surges In Second Half
- Progress surges in the second half: start with short pickups (1–3 minutes) and build toward longer blocks.
- Use time-based pickups inside an easy long run rather than full VO2-style efforts.