Marathon training isn’t just about the miles — it’s about understanding why you’re doing them.

In this episode, Rob, Ben and Emma break down their current marathon training blocks, comparing plans, goals, and how individual fitness, life commitments, and experience shape the way each runner trains.

The trio explore why training plans might start the same but quickly diverge, how to understand the purpose behind each session, and why specificity matters when chasing very different goals — from Emma’s sub-four ambition to Rob’s simple aim of getting to the start line healthy. Along the way, they discuss long runs, threshold sessions, heart rate and pace zones, and how to tell whether your training is actually working.

The conversation also dives into managing fatigue, adapting plans when life gets in the way, and the importance of weekly reviews to stay consistent without burning out. Mental health is a key theme throughout, with honest reflections on “mental health miles,” learning from tough runs, and why no run is ever truly wasted.

With coaching insight, personal experiences, and plenty of community spirit, this episode is a reminder that marathon training is cumulative — physically, mentally, and emotionally — and that understanding your own body is the most important metric of all.

• Comparing marathon training plans and goals
• Why training plans diverge based on fitness and life
• Understanding the purpose of each workout
• Long runs, endurance, and muscle adaptation
• Managing fatigue and adjusting training intelligently
• Weekly reviews and learning from each session
• Threshold training and why the last rep matters
• Heart rate zones vs pace zones explained
• Aerobic running and conversational effort
• Running for mental health and long-term wellbeing
• Community support, running clubs, and celebrating progress

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