Editor Michael Doyle is joined by Marathon Handbook's resident coach Katelyn Tocci to break down everything you need to know about how to go about setting goals for the marathon.

They discuss:

Setting Marathon Goals

Understanding SMART Goals

What is the “SMART” criteria for goal setting?
How can applying SMART goals enhance your marathon training?

2. Process-Based vs. Outcome-Based Goals

Differences between process-based and outcome-based goals.
Marathon-specific examples to illustrate each type of goal.

3. The Role of A, B, and C Goals

What are A, B, and C goals in marathon training?
How to prioritize and set these goals effectively.

4. Tailoring Goals to Your Fitness Level and Personal Circumstances

Steps to set realistic and achievable marathon goals based on your current fitness level.
How to adapt your goals to fit personal factors and training constraints.

5. Overcoming Obstacles and Maintaining Motivation

Common challenges in marathon training and how to tackle them.
Proven strategies to stay motivated and committed throughout your training journey.

Show Notes:

Andrew Huberman's "The Science of Setting and Achieving Goals" episode on the Huberman Lab podcast:
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/the-science-of-setting-and-achieving-goals

The paper on the "85% Rule":
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12552-4

Our free marathon training plans:
https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/marathon-training-plans/

Hosts: Katelyn Tocci, Michael Doyle

Watch a full video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/Nih6qNESz44

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It's Time to Set Your Marathon Goals (and Here's How)