This Plan Wasn't Built
By An Algorithm.

"Marius Bakken has used his unique experience as a world-class runner to put together one of the most comprehensive marathon products I have seen. The 100-day Marathon Training program is covering all topics to improve as a runner. Marius experience and knowledge of modern training techniques will benefit runners, from the beginner to the experienced marathoner."

"Most marathon schedules are rigid. The 100 Day Marathon Plan deals with flexibility and gives runners options. I especially enjoyed the marathon race-day tips and how you combine the Italian and Kenyan schools of thought into one program. I like the use of Lydiard-like periodization with a build up from the 5K to the marathon itself. All types of runners would benefit from this type of marathon work. That's the best thing about this program: It's for everyone! It builds you up for the marathon, step-by-step instead of getting you to think about the marathon from day one. I've never seen anything like this before"

"Hello Marius this is a letter of thanks to you. On Sunday in the London Marathon I set a new life time best running 2.47.34. I should point out to anyone reading this that I have been running for 17 years and Marathons for 11 years! I am now 49 years old and going by what many runners say should be slowing down, yet on your program I ran 3 mins 39 sec faster than last year and 1 min 18 sec faster than my old P.B. set way back in 2003 when I was only 42 years old! AMAZING!!! I felt stronger than ever before in the last 6 miles and overtook runner after runner in my charge for the line, infact I think only one runner went passed me in those last 6 miles! I have found your 100 day plan enjoyable and challenging, but at the same time because you never train harder than 10k pace I was able to recover quickly and not overtrain and dig myself into a whole I could not get out of! Also because your training plan changes from week to week I found my body kept getting stronger throughout the entire program! I had no injuries or illness, a very good sign that shows how sensible and clever your program is! I now intend to follow your training programme up to next years London marathon, where I believe I can continue to improve and run 2.45 or better at the age of 50! I'm happy to recommend your 100 day marathon plan to anybody who is serious about running faster, if I can do it then anyone can! Thanks again Marius, you have reversed the aging process for me:)"

"To illustrate what Marius' program did to my shape: During the 12 weeks of training towards New York Marathon I "tested" myself weekly on the SRM race (3.3k). The 10th of August at the start of the schedule: 12:39, the 7th of September: 12:13, the 12th of September 11:25 and the 12th of October 11:16. That means an improvement of 11%! On a marathon this is equal to almost 30 minutes improvement on only 12 weeks of training. On the starting line in New York my weight was reduced to 71 kg, 10 kg (20 pounds) lower than it was 12 weeks earlier. The feeling was amazing. Especially the feeling of being extremely strong the last 10 k. For a relatively untrained person just some months before to pass 250 runners (and only getting passed by 3) on the last 10 k and a finishing position of 517 out of 37 000 was an experience of a lifetime."

"It is extremely well organized and informative. I almost feel compelled to run a marathon just to follow your program. Your knowledge on the subject is extremely evident in your writing. I love how you explain the combination of Italian and Kenyan Marathon Training Plans. I loved it. Very professional."

"I find the 100 day plan very useful. Especially the combination of a running schedule and tutorials of the basic training ideas and other elements which provides insights on how and why the schedule build up the way it is. I also like the emphasis on the flexibility of the schedule and on the positive tone throughout the plan. It really helps the newcomer to be confident that it is possible run a marathon without running mile after mile day after day. I of course like the 100 day plan because it most importantly provides results. Follow the plan and be sure to have the best possibilities to have a great run. Compared to other plans I have followed (Stockholm 21K program by Anders Szalkai) the 100 day plan isn't that complex with a lot of different elements in each training session. I have completed 6 half marathons and have a PB of 1:39. My long time goal is to qualify and run Boston marathon, which will require a marathon under 3:20. One of the best part of the 100-day plan was the FAQ part. This gave the opportunity to interact with a coach and other runners on different elements of the plan. This made some of the runs easier to understand and also provided with additional information from runners in the same training level and situation as yourself."

"Hi, Marius!! Remember me? If you don't, you can read all the previous posts from this conversation. I'm writing straight to you by email, because I didn't find that "statement palce" on your site anymore ;) I wrote you last September about my new PB 2:57:12. Now I have same kind of news for you :) About 3 weeks to go I ran at Copenhagen Marathon and my time was 2:51:16!!! So I'm getting faster and faster, thanks to you!! I kept 4:00/km pace to the 30-35km, but in the final 10k or so I had to slow down a bit, because my legs started to feel very heavy.. I think I'm going to run couple of fast-finish long runs to be better next time ;) Now, I have planned to run sub 2:50 in next October!! At Vantaa maraton 14th of October!! I also attach one picture from last the final straight!! Thanks for great plan!! I will continue 2:45 -plan.. -"

"I'm a 2:20 marathoner that had become very curious about the Italian Periodisation (negative taper) since Stephano Baldini won the 2004 Olympic Marathon. I immediately went searching for his approach. Quickly, I was mind-boggled by how much of a consistent performer he was. The Italians must have discovered a format for marathon success. For years I've studied but not until buying the 100 Day Marathon Plan approach did I truly understand the simplicity of it. Marius has broken it down and made it easy to understand and to take anywhere. The addition of the heart rate monitor parameters (at Kenyan Intensity) make it doable by anyone, anywhere. I honestly have enjoyed all of it. I know Marius was able to get the best out of himself and his running and medical knowledge should be followed. Wonderful program. I personally loved the heart rate effort zones. I live in a place that has rare ideal weather and to be able to run without becoming a slave to the watch has given me a bounce in my step! Every runner would benefit from this program!"

"I am a 69 year old marathon runner who has run 186 marathons including 3:14:45 as a 55 year old. I purchased the 100 day marathon plan and this is my experience: I noticed already in the three introductory weeks of the program how my legs got lighter and the times pr km started to go down. For example the Zone 1 easy runs to my job was at that time 6.15-6.25 pr km. Now, ten weeks later, that same effort is down to 5.20 pr km. Because I write a daily training diary and have done so since 1978 I can clearly see how my training times are radically faster then they have been in many, many years since starting the 100 day marathon plan. What has struck me as considerably different with the 100 day marathon plan then any other program I have used is the great variation in the training, for example in week nr 7 the type sessions where you run for 60 minutes with variation between Effort 2 and 4. In addition to that I've had great benefits from your "Special Strides". Today, only 6 days after a marathon where I did a 30 minute year best following the plan, I feel fully recovered. I would recommend the program to anyone, when the results for me are so dramatic - who is not a top athlete, I suspect it will have even greater effect on better runners. In addition to that, I believe most joggers will benefit from this kind of structured program."

"I just run Marine Corpse Marathon in 3:03 - 11 min off my previous PR following the 100 day marathon plan! I want to run Palm Beach Marathon Dec 6 and would like to break 3hr. ....five weeks weeks later : Hi Marius, soo excited as I said on 25th of October I did a 3:03 in Marine Corp. I just did Sunday Dec.6 a 2:57 PR in the Palm Beach Marathon, Thanks!!!! Took off 7 min in weeks and broke that sub 3hrs and feel great! Thanks!"

"What I enjoyed most of the plan was the ease of picking a schedule and fixing the workouts to my work schedule. I am a District Chief with the Laredo Fire Dept. and work 24 hours and 48 hours off. Most of my runs were early morning. The plan took out a lot of guesswork on how to prepare for my first marathon. When I researched a marathon plan there was a lot of skepticism about how it is almost impossible to run a marathon if you havent had a good base for over a year. Another thing that the plan did was inspire me to RACE my events not merely survive them. Upon completion of your program there was no doubt in my mind that I would not finish my first marathon. The question turned from, will I finish into how fast will I finish ? I could have run it at a lot slower pace and sprint at the end...but I still have that competiveness that makes me compete.. even if it is only competing against my own set times. My trainings/results improved me by about a minute in a 5k to 3 minutes on 10K. My favorite sessions were the long runs where I would use them to listen to good music and relax. I would recommend this plan to anyone willing to put in the time it takes to train for a marathon. From novice to advanced runner. I am proof that what seemed as an unattainable goal at times can be attainable taking one day at a time using your plan. Like I've mentioned before, this inspired me to try to go faster and qualify for Boston."

"Hi Marius, First of all thank you for the 100 Day Marathon Plan, for always answering my questions and for all of your advice. Today, my participation on the Utah Valley Marathon went pretty well. I made a PR of 3hr 24 min 37 sec, and I earned my shirt that says Boston Qualifier yeah! :). It felt so good. All the workouts you gave me help me to push through the hardest miles, I never hit a wall, and was able to walk on my water/sports drinks stations and pick up running with no problems, I took the Imodium ( only one tablet) and had no stomach proplems. I only stop once for the porta potty for No 1. I did feel the muscle stiffness from mile 22 to 26.2, but my legs never stopped responding. I was able to finish strong and will certainly recommend this training to my runner friends. It is fun, it helps you stay very focused on every session of the training and the risk of injury is very low. I loved all the tips you give to avoid muscle cramps, stomach problems, drinking prior and during the marathon, self massages, etc. Thanks again! Best Regards"

"I started running 3 years ago for fun. Since then I have finished 3 marathons and also run shorter road races. My personal records are 10k 36:50 Half 1:22:10 Marathon 3:01:07 The 100 Day Marathon Plan is clearly explained and makes following the plan very simple. It takes the guesswork out which makes it harder to overthink the training and just go out and run. I especially liked the self massage part, I had not seen it in any program/book and I think it could certainly help to recover faster. Who would benefit from this type of plan ? The program seems written for people that have little background in running terminology and how the body responds to different stimuli in training."