Thinking about a bucket-list marathon (big city, destination, or iconic course)? Coaches Caroline and Valerie cover how to choose the right race for your goals, practical travel & taper tips, how to adapt training for altitude/heat/time-zones, and the logistics that make a destination marathon a joyful success — not a stress test.

✅ Key takeaways

• ✅ How to choose the right bucket-list marathon: course profile, time of year, travel logistics, and your personal goal (finish, PR, experience).
• ✅ Training timing: when to start, how to peak for a race far from home, and how to fit destination rules into your taper.
• ✅ Acclimation & environment: practical steps for heat, humidity, altitude, and time-zone changes so you don’t blow up on race day.
• ✅ Travel & race-week checklist: lodging, pre-race food, race kit, transport to start, packing for recovery.
• ✅ Pacing strategy for unknown courses: how to scout, conservative early splits, and using drills to retain form when things get hard.
• ✅ Recovery plan after a goal race: active recovery, short walks, mobility, and when to resume structured training.