The BQ “All In” Marathon Plan
By Sandi Nypaver, with guidance from Sage Canaday and Ray Nypaver
Running Plan by Sandi Nypaver & Sage Canaday
- 16 weeks of Mindset Training (+ bonus tips)
- 16 weeks of Physical Training (+bonus tips)
- 16 week Running Plan* (in metric and imperial)
- Strength Self-Assessment (with pictures)
- Pre-Run Warm-Up Routine (with pictures)
- Core Routine (with pictures)
- Training Guide (explains each type of workout)
- Key Training Zones Chart
- And more! (Heavy lifting, plyometrics, foam rolling, stretching, etc.)
*While part of the actual running plan is the same as the original BQ Marathon Plan, we did make some significant changes to many of the key runs and workouts.
The BQ “All In” Marathon Plan is unlike any other training plan on the market. Coach Sandi came up with the idea for this plan over 3 years ago, believing we could develop a plan that would do an even better job of helping people reach their goals. It combines years of research as well as all of our running and high-performance knowledge packaged together in a way so that all the information can be retained and utilized by anyone who uses this plan. We hope this plan will make you feel that you have us as your personal coaches, giving you all the information you need to be successful as you go.
The plan will take you on a 16-week journey, a journey that requires you to be “all in”. You’ll start off by performing a strength self-assessment that will help you prevent injuries and keep you running strong throughout the plan. We’ll also help get you into the right mindset to start the training plan. From there, for each week of the plan, there will be a section on Mindset Training and a section on Physical Training along with the actual running plan. The Mindset Training will give you the tools you need to perform at your highest level. We’ll help you learn to embrace any challenge, give you advice on how to decrease anxiety before key workouts and races, and teach you numerous mindset strategies that can help your mind relax and embrace the feeling of running fast. We aim to do all of this while making sure your joy for running is always there!
The Physical Training topics include recovery, heat and altitude training, pre-race and race day fueling, posture and mobility, blood tests, running form, all aspects of tapering (carbo-loading, strength training, bodywork, etc.), creating a race day pacing plan depending on the course profile, and everything else you need to know about physically feeling your best on race day. Our goal while making this plan was to make it so that you’re not left with any crucial questions at the end.
You can’t be “all in” without including some running specific core work into your weekly training. Along with creating a core workout routine for you that can be made to fit into a busy schedule, we wrote in when we thought you should be doing your core workouts, mobility, and stretching under each day of the plan. This plan also contains a pre-run warm-up routine, examples of heavy lifting and plyometric routines, and advice on stretching and foam rolling. We wanted a plan that gives you every chance possible of reaching your goals!
Prerequisites:
This plan is structured for runners who will reach a peak mileage of somewhere between 65 to 80 miles (100 to 130km) a week. If you are looking to crack 3:40 or 3 hours flat (or even sub 2:50) for the first time and improve your personal best marathon time, then this plan is for you! If you are close to a Boston Marathon qualifying time (i.e. within 10-15 minutes) it is very possible for you to use this plan to attempt to improve enough for that standard to be reached! If you haven’t run a single week over 55 miles (90km) per week in your running career yet, we highly recommend that you take several months (or even a year) to build up your mileage base so you are consistently averaging at least 50 to 55 miles per week (90km) on a regular basis without any serious injury before starting this training program.
More on why our plan is different:
This plan is derived from the theories and practices of the most legendary distance running coaches and exercise scientists from around the world: Arthur Lydiard, Jack Daniels, Renato Canova, and Peter Pfitzinger to name a few. Unlike other “cookie-cutter” training plans that just list the mileage and a general pace, this Sage Running plan gives you essential specifics on how to do workouts at the right intensity for the most beneficial training stimuli. Furthermore, it does not follow a strict 7-day cycle (like most competitor’s plans), because at Sage Running we believe some workouts take longer to recover from and adapt to. Therefore sometimes recovery running days are extended and shortened appropriately to give you an ideal boost in fitness. Most other plans do not take this kind of periodization into consideration.
We realize that great coaching is both a science and an art – and we’ve used this philosophy (as well as knowledge gained from our own careers as runners) along with experience from coaching many others, to create a plan that emphasizes consistent, smart progression: A true Sage Running™ experience!