Coopah How To: Get marathon Ready In 16 Weeks

If you’ve committed to running a marathon this year - whether it’s chasing a new PB, going after a goal that scares you, or finally doing the distance justice - you’ve got 16 weeks to make it count.

That might not sound like much. But it’s enough. Enough time to train with purpose. To build real fitness, sharpen your mindset, and line up ready to race, not just survive.

Whether you’re already a few weeks in or pressing start today, this is how the next 16 weeks should look. No guesswork. No fluff. Just a focused plan, backed by coaching, designed to unlock your potential.

BUILD YOUR BASE (WEEK 1-4)

This phase is all about laying solid foundations. It’s not about chasing fast times or racking up massive long runs. We’re getting your body ready for the serious work ahead.

This stage might feel slower than you want it to. But going all-in too soon won’t speed you up. It’ll just set you up to break down later. The goal here is consistency. Nail the sessions. Recover well. Let your body adjust to the volume.

If your goal pace feels tough right now, that’s fine. It’s not supposed to feel easy.. Remember, nobody (not even elite athletes) will be at their peak 365 days a year, and that it is completely normal to have periods where your fitness and pace drop. So for now you just need to focus on staying consistent, working hard and trust the process.

How Coopah Helps: Your plan starts with you. Your goals. Your current fitness. Your weekly availability. No pressure to keep up with a plan that isn’t built around your life. This is personalised coaching that evolves as you do.

BUILD STRENGTH (WEEK 5-8)

Now we shift gears. Long runs get longer. Intervals get sharper. You’ll probably see target pace miles appear in your long runs. That’s not to intimidate you. It’s to show you what’s possible.

This block is where things start clicking. You’ll notice progress. Your recoveries feel smoother. Distances that once felt out of reach now feel familiar. The work is starting to show, and that’s a powerful feeling.

This phase isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about pushing your ceiling higher.

How Coopah Helps: Your plan responds to you. If your fitness is improving, your training evolves with you. If life throws a curveball, we adapt. Whether you're gunning for a first sub-4 or chasing the podium, Coopah keeps your training aligned with your progress.

BUILD SPEED (WEEK 9 -12)

These are the hardest weeks of the plan. The peak phase. You’ll run longer, push harder, and test your limits.

This is the part that separates running a marathon from racing one. Your body is ready for it by now. These sessions are intense for a reason. They sharpen your fitness, build your resilience and prep you mentally for race day.

It’s also a great time to run a test race. A hard half marathon or 10km can give you valuable insight, both physically and mentally, without the pressure of your goal event.

How Coopah Helps: You can add a ‘B race’ directly into your main training plan. We then adapt the surrounding sessions to give you a taper beforehand and recovery after. You’ll still stay on track for your goal race while building confidence along the way.

TAPER TIME (WEEK 13-16)

You’ve done the work. Now it’s time to absorb it.

Tapering gives your body the chance to rest and recharge. The volume drops. The intensity reduces. The goal is to arrive at the start line fresh, focused and fired up.

This phase can be mentally tough. You might start doubting yourself or feeling phantom aches. You’ll feel like doing more. But the work is done now. Pushing too hard here won’t help. It’ll only drain the energy you need to deliver when it matters most.

Trust the process. Stay sharp. Let your body recharge so that on race day, you feel like a coiled spring ready to launch.

How Coopah Helps: Every plan includes a full taper phase. On top of that, you’ve got direct access to real coaches via in-app chat. Whether it’s pre-race nerves, strategy questions or a last-minute wobble, we’re right here with you. Every step of the way.

A final reminder from me, to you. Marathon training isn’t about having perfect weeks or always feeling motivated. It’s about showing up. Putting in the work. Getting it done even when you don’t feel like it. That’s where the real progress comes from.

Let’s make these next 16 weeks count, and don’t forget that me, and Coopah will be here for you every step of the way.

Coach Jordan x