How to Train for a Marathon in 5 Months

Alternate rest days with 3-mile runs during the first week of month one. Finish the first month of training by alternating rest with one day of cross-training and 4-mile runs. Push for a 7-mile run on the last day of the month.

Incorporate cross-training during month two, continuing to alternate rest days with running. Your regular runs should be 5 miles, while your longer runs on the last day of the week should be 7 miles at first, and then increased to 8 miles during the last two weeks of the month.

Stick to the schedule of rest, regular 5-mile runs and cross-training, but end each week with a longer run during your third month. Finish the first week of the month with a 10-mile run, and then increase the distance by 1 mile per week, so you end the month with a 14-mile run.

Switch it up daily between cross-training and regular runs during month four, which are now 6 miles long. At the end of the first week, run 10 miles at your target marathon pace. Finish the second week of the month with an 18-mile run, then finish weeks three and four with a 10-miler.

Focus on maintaining your target pace, the length of time in which you'll run the marathon, during all runs in the fifth month. Continue to cross-train and rest as usual, and keep the distance of your regular runs at 6 miles for the first two weeks. Taper your training during the third and fourth weeks, when your regular runs should be no more than 4 miles.