Outside Online
Thursday, December 06, 2012

CrossFit Endurance's Unconventional 12-Week Marathon Training Plan

Everything you need to improve your time on the course

By:

Brian MacKenzie has a few pointed words about your endurance workout. "If you're running five miles a day at the same speed and think you're getting a lot out of that, you're sorely mistaken," says the founder of CrossFit Endurance. "If you're not trying to improve, what's the point?" MacKenzie, who lays out his radical philosophy in the new book Power Speed Endurance, believes that short, intense exercise can give you many of the long-haul benefits of classic distance workouts—and spare you the chronic injuries and boredom. To try this 12-week program for runners, seek out a CrossFit Endurance gym or coach (there are hundreds listed at CrossFitEndurance.com). "If you can't make it through the first week, back off a little," MacKenzie says, then add reps as your strength and stamina improve. Your performance should get better each week.

WORKOUT OF THE DAY
CrossFit-style WODs are used throughout this program. To access them, follow the links below. You can choose any WOD, just avoid repeating a single one too often—the goal is to work different muscles each time.

10- to 15-Minute WOD
10- to 15-Minute WOD (With Run Portion)
20-Minute WOD
20-Minute WOD (With Run Portion)
5- to 20-Minute WOD

More at Outside

Free Newsletters

Dispatch This week's featured articles, reviews, and videos. Sent twice weekly.
News From the Field The most important breaking news from around the Web. Sent daily.
Gear of the Day The latest products, reviews, and editors' picks. Coming soon.
Outside Partners Outside-approved deals and special offers from select partners. Sent occasionally.

Subscribe
to Outside
Now with
iPad Access

Magazine Cover

Plus 2 Outside Buyer's Guides included with your purchase!

News

May 24, 2013

Current Issue Outside Magazine

Subscribe and get a great deal! Two free Buyer's Guides plus a free GoLite Sport Bottle. Monthly delivery of Outside—your ultimate resource for today's active lifestyle. All that and big savings!

Free Newsletters

Dispatch This week's featured articles, reviews, and videos. Sent twice weekly.
News From the Field The most important breaking news from around the Web. Sent daily.
Gear of the Day The latest products, reviews, and editors' picks. Coming soon.
Outside Partners Outside-approved deals and special offers from select partners. Sent occasionally.

Ask a Question

Our gear experts await your outdoor-gear-related questions. Go ahead, ask them anything.

* We might edit your question for length or clarity. If it's not about gear, we'll just ignore it.