The Stablemaster Speaks - The Art of the Marathon 18:57 parkrun to 71:11 HM in 12 months; from newbie to sub 2:25 marathon in 18 months
May 16, 2024
Hear the incredible journey of James Whittington, who transformed from a novice runner to aiming for a sub-2:25 marathon in just 18 months. Balancing a demanding job and family life, he manages to train efficiently with just four runs a week. Discover his rapid progress from a parkrun time of 18:57 to a half-marathon of 71:11. Gain insights into his coaching philosophy, including a super base approach to avoid injuries, and the specific training strategies that could push him to new heights.
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From Parkrun To Sub-Three Ambition
- James Whittington started running seriously in May 2023 after a parkrun of about 18:57 and contacted John in July 2023 aiming to break three hours for the marathon.
- He ran 2:52 in his first marathon after little training and only ran four times per week while working long hours and raising three children.
Power Of The Super Base
- The super base builds musculoskeletal resilience and aerobic capacity and serves as a safe way to develop new runners.
- John used the super base to take James from a 1:26 half to 1:11 in about a year with only four to five weekly runs.
Rapid Half-Marathon Gains
- James improved his half-marathon from 1:26 to 1:13 within months of structured training and later ran 1:11:17 at Reading.
- He continued training mostly four times weekly and occasionally five despite a demanding job and family life.