More Reviews:

• “…The Plan Took Out All The Guesswork…”

  What I enjoyed most of the plan was the ease of picking a schedule and fixing the workouts to my work schedule. I am a District Chief with the Laredo Fire Dept. and work 24 hours and 48 hours off. Most of my runs were early morning. The plan took out a lot of guess work on how to prepare for my first marathon. When I researched a marathon plan there was a lot of skepticism about how it is almost impossible to run a marathon if you havent had a good base for over a year. Another thing that the plan did was inspire me to RACE my events not merely survive them. Upon completion of your program there was no doubt in my mind that I would not finish my first marathon. The question turned from, will I finish into how fast will I finish ? I could have run it at a lot slower pace and sprint at the end...but I still have that competiveness that makes me compete.. even if it is only competing against my own set times.
  
  My trainings/results improved me by about a minute in a 5k to 3 minutes on 10K. My favorite sessions were the long runs where I would use them to listen to good music and relax.
  
  I would recommend this plan to anyone willing to put in the time it takes to train for a marathon. From novice to advanced runner. I am proof that what seemed as an unattainable goal at times can be attainable taking one day at a time using your plan. Like I've mentioned before, this inspired me to try to go faster and qualify for Boston.
  

  Ruben Vegas, District Chief, Laredo Fire. Dept. Ultimate Goal : Boston Marathon Qualification
  
  

• “Sub 3:00:00 In First Ever Marathon…”

  "To illustrate what Marius' program did to my shape: During the 12 weeks of training towards New York Marathon I "tested" myself weekly on the SRM race (3.3k). The 10th of August 2005 by the start of the schedule: 12:39, the 7th of September: 12:13, the 12th of September 11:25 and the 12th of October 11:16. That means an improvement of 11%!

  On a marathon this is equal to almost 30 minutes improvement on only 12 weeks of training
  On the starting line in New York >my weight was reduced to 71 kg, 10 kg (20 pounds) lower than it was 12 weeks earlier. The feeling was amazing. Especially the feeling of being extremely strong the last 10 k. For a relatively untrained person just some months before to pass 250 runners (and only getting passed by 3) on the last 10 k and a finishing position of 517 out of 37 000 was an experience of a lifetime.”
  

  Martin Samdal 2:58:52 NYC Marathon 2005
  
  

• “I Loved It. Very Professional.”

  “It is extremely well organized and informative. I almost feel compelled to run a marathon just to follow your program. Your knowledge on the subject is extremely evident in your writing. I love how you explain the combination of Italian and Kenyan Marathon Training Plans.

  I loved it. Very Professional.”

  David TiefenthalerCoach and owner of tips4running.com
  
  

• “…So I Keep Getting Faster and Faster…”

  "Hi, Marius!!

  Remember me?

  If you don't, you can read all the previous posts from this conversation. I'm writing straight to you by email, because I didn't find that "statement palce" on your site anymore ;)

  I wrote you last September about my >new PB 2:57:12.

  Now I have same kind of news for you :)

  About 3 weeks to go I ran at Copenhagen Marathon and my time was 2:51:16!!! So I'm getting faster and faster, thanks to you!! I kept 4:00/km pace to the 30-35km, but in the final 10k or so I had to slow down a bit, because my legs started to feel very heavy.. I think I'm going to run couple of fast-finish long runs to be better next time ;)

  Now, I have planned to run sub 2:50 in next October!! At Vantaa maraton 14th of October!! I also attach one picture from last the final straight!!

  Thanks for great plan!! I will continue the 2:45 -plan.. - "Mikko Järvinen from FinlandTwo time personal best with the 100 day plan
  
  

• "… Organized, Easy to Read and Use…"

  “Marius, I liked how you had alot of rest days built in and that the rest days were truly unloading days in that they were easy and short. I was just listening to a podcast with running coach Bobby McGee (not sure if you have heard of him, but he works alot with running form and coaches some triathletes and track guys on the world class level). He talked about how for most novice runners, that a recovery run is an oxymoron.

  They do not have the capacity to recover while still running on that day (too much stress). So I like how the recovery and off days are amply peppered through the program. This will help alot of people who are looking to try their first marathon. I think with your program which is based to a large extent on alot of intensity, you are not shy about plenty of recovery. Your clients will be able to stress--> rest--> grow!
  
  I liked the workouts. Coming from a slowtwitch type background, it was nice to leg it out a bit. My favorite runs are the progression runs. They provided me with the confidance to move through all of my effort/heart rate gears.

  This program will work well for a variety of runners. However, I think two groups will profit the most. The first group is runners who are pressed for time and want to maximize the time that is available with more workouts around marathon effort (as opposed to a high volume Lydiard type program). The second group that will do well with this program is the casual runner who has lots of easy base work and can recover well but cannot figure out how to put together the pieces when it comes to intensity.

  The program was well organized, easy to read and use. Again I think you make good use of rest and intensity. It is a time efficient program and I like that. I played around with the Lydiard type approach a few years ago and your workouts were much easier to understand.”

  Dr. William (Bill) WalzPhysican and 3:30 marathoner, Los Angeles
  
  

• “…I Like the Positive Tone... It Helps You Become Confident…” ”

  "I find the 100 day plan very useful. Especially the combination of a running schedule and tutorials of the basic training ideas and other elements which provides insights on how and why the schedule build up the way it is. I also like the emphasis on the flexibility of the schedule and on the positive tone throughout the plan.

  It really helps the newcomer to be confident that it is possible run a marathon without running mile after mile day after day. I of course like the 100 day plan because it most importantly provides results. Follow the plan and be sure to have the best possibilities to have a great run.Compared to other plans I have followed (Stockholm 21K program by Anders Szalkai) the 100 day plan aren't that complex with a lot of different element in each training session.

  I have completed 6 half marathons and has a PB of 1:39. My long time goal is to qualify and run Boston marathon before 2013, which will require a marathon under 3:20 some time in 2012.

  One of the best part of the 100-day plan was the FAQ part. This gave the opportunity to interact with a coach and other runners on different elements of the plan.This made some of the runs easier to understand and also provided with additional information from runners in the same training level and situation as yourself."

  Geir Engen NATO officer and 1:39 Half Marathon Runner
  
  

• “...Finished my 186th Marathon...”

  "I am a 69 year old marathon runner who has run 186 marathons including 3:14:45 as a 55 year old. In the fall of 2009 I purchased the 100 day marathon plan and this is my experience :
  
  I noticed already in the three introductory weeks of the program how my legs got lighter and the times pr km started to go down. For example the Zone 1 easy runs to my job was at that time 6.15-6.25 pr km. Now, ten weeks later, that same effort is down to 5.20 pr km. Because I write a daily training diary and have done so since 1978 I can clearly see how my training times are radically faster then they have been in many, many years since starting the 100 day marathon plan.
  
  What has struck me as considerably different with the 100 day marathon plan then any other program I have used is the great variation in the training, for example in week nr 7 the type sessions where you run for 60 minutes with variation between Effort 2 and 4. In addition to that I've had great benefits from your "Special Strides".

  Today, only 6 days after a marathon where I did a 30 minute year best following the plan, I feel fully recovered. I would recommend the program to anyone, when the results for me are so dramatic - who is not a top athlete, I suspect it will have even greater effect on better runners. In addition to that, I believe most joggers will benefit from this kind of structured program.
  

  Per Oscar Holm-Olsen186 time marathoner and 4.06 marathon (30 minute year best) as a 69 year old following the 100 day plan.
  
  

• “… Easy To Understand And To Take Anywhere…”

  "I'm a 2:20 marathoner that had become very curious about the Italian Periodisation (negative taper) since Stephano Baldini won the 2004 Olympic Marathon. I immediately went searching for his approach.

  Quickly, I was mind-boggled by how much of a consistent performer he was. The Italians must have discovered a format for marathon success.

  For years I've studied but not until buying the 100 Day Marathon Plan approach did I truly understand the simplicity of it.

  Marius has broken it down and made it easy to understand and to take anywhere. ong>The addition of the heart rate monitor parameters (at Kenyan Intensity) make it doable by anyone, anywhere. I honestly have enjoyed all of it. I know Marius was able to get the best out of himself and his running and medical knowledge should be followed.

  Wonderful program. I personally loved the heart rate effort zones. I live in a place that has rare ideal weather and to be able to run without becoming a slave to the watch has given me a bounce in my step! Every runner would benefit from this program!"
  

  Marty Dalton2.20 marathoner
  
  

• “..From 3:34:45 (Chicago 2008) to 3:15 (Grand Rapids 2009)… Thanks To The 100 Day Plan!”

  “Hi Marius,

  How I went from 3:34:45 (Chicago 08) to 3:15 (Grand Rapids 09) with the 100 day plan :

  The fact is, I already speak of your program to athletes, even in other sports, because I've been so satisfied with learning new things and improving significantly again. I ran in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on 18 October 2009 with a 20 minute personal best following your plan.

  I trained hard for Chicago in '08, targeting the 3:20 Boston time, running up to 60 miles a week, even doing hard intervals in the rain on the track in the dark by myself. But despite orthotics and ice baths after hard/long runs, I kept getting knee problems thanks to poor choices of workout distances and pacing: in 2008, I ran a great abundance of 7-11 mile runs, all in zone 2. (I didn't know it was zone 2; I was just following what I downloaded for free from Runner's World. And I got what I paid for!) So I was hurt, and burned out. I peaked way too early. I couldn't imagine running as slow as a 9-minute mile. I thought hard effort was what I needed. I listened to some of the guys from the local running group who believed: "the only way to run faster is to run faster."

  With your program, I feel like I finally found exactly what I need: a scientific approach that combines zone 1 slow runs with high intensity tailored interval work. Of critical importance to me--since I need exercise to manage my fibromyalgia pain--I've avoided injury completely. (If injured, I struggle to exercise with the intensity required to manage my pain syndrome.)

  I started eating vegetables for breakfast sometimes, to be like the Kenyans, and attained my targeted weight loss (from 168 down to 155) over four months' time. I never bought the lipoic acid, but I considered it, based on your recommendation. I took magnesium once a night, at least after long runs, to replace this electrolyte, and never had any muscle cramps. All these were ideas from your 100 day plan.

  My biggest progress in this training has to be the change in my half-marathon times. Last year, and even early this year, I was running 1:38-1:41, depending on the course condition (hills, heat, etc.). A month before the marathon and well into the 100 day plan, on rolling hills, but perfect weather, I ran 1:28:13. This was the first time I'd gotten a running percentile score over 70 since college.

  Presently, I'd like to get a percentile score of 70 at all the distances. The 5K (upper 18's) and 10K (about 39:00) seem quite attainable, either this fall or next spring. But a marathon of 3:03 presents a different sort of challenge. Since marathon training is quite demanding, and failing to make a goal is so disappointing, I want to be really thoughtful about setting a marathon target for 2010. The 3-hour mark is particularly monumental, (thanks, Lance Armstrong!) but a fair stretch from where I'm at.

  Running the 1:28 half this year I felt that a 3-hour marathon was possible for me. I'm prepared to pay for your next e-product, if it comes out, on moving the next 15 minutes on the marathon!”

  Sincerely, Troy Thompson, M.D.

  Troy Thompson, M.D.3:15 personal record for a 20 minutes P.R.
  
  

• “…It Felt So Good…”

  "Hi Marius, First of all thank you for the 100 Day Marathon Plan, for always answering my questions and for all of your advice. Today, my participation on the Utah Valley Marathon went pretty well. I made a PR of 3hr 24 min 37 sec, and I earned my shirt that says Boston Qualifier yeah! :).

  It felt so good. All the workouts you gave me help me to push through the hardest miles, I never hit a wall,> and was able to walk on my water/sports drinks stations and pick up running with no problems, I took the Imodium ( only one tablet) and had no stomach proplems. I only stop once for the porta potty for No 1.

  I did feel the muscle stiffness from mile 22 to 26.2, but my legs never stopped responding.

  I was able to finish strong and will certainly recommend this training to my runner friends. It is fun, it helps you stay very focused on every session of the training and the risk of injury is very low. I loved all the tips you give to avoid muscle cramps, stomach problems, drinking prior and during the marathon, self massages, etc.

  Thanks again! Best Regards"

  Diana A. Anderson3.24.37 Utah Valley Marathon