Most people train too fast

Illustration of a green cartoon turtle running like a marathon racer, wearing a white headband and a yellow number tag labeled 300
Illustration: Cristina Spanò

For many would-be marathoners, January seems as good a time as any to dust off their trainers and begin the journey to running 26.2 miles (42km). To hit a goal time or even just complete the race without injury, runners need to follow a training plan.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “What is the best way to train for a marathon? ”

From the January 3rd 2026 edition

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