Marathon Plan Improver - L2

First Marathon - Done!

I used Ben's Level 1 - Beginner Marathon Plan to train for my first marathon at the age of 52. It was ideally pitched at the right level with plenty variety and room for flexibility for someone new to running like me. Delighted with my finish result - highly recommended. First marathon - done! I enjoyed the training structure so much I'm now onto the Level 2 - Improver plan as I work towards my second marathon goal! Thanks Ben and Team!

Did the job!

Wanted a sub-4 marathon. I followed this plan (moved around the odd run here and there to fit life in). Ran a 3:49. So it did its job! Very easy to follow. Paces clearly explained. Nice variety of sessions, too.

Mission accomplished: 3:53:45!

I dreamt of a sub-4 hour-marathon, but never really thought I’d be able to do it! I got a ballot place for the 2026 TCS London Marathon and bought Ben’s Improver Plan because it gave a training structure for the finish time I was aiming for (rather than the beginner plan). The training plan was perfect for me. I work a varied shift pattern and some weekends, so training had to fit in with that. I was able to use the plan and move the runs/strength training around to suit each week. The marathon itself went exactly to plan in terms of the fact the training I had put in, based on the plan, meant I was able to finish in 3:53:45. I’m over the moon! I have already downloaded a maintenance plan to keep me ticking over and give my runs some structure. I found it great to just look at the plan and be told what I was running that day! Highly recommended. Thank you Ben!