Hansons First Marathon

With the right training, ANYONE can finish a marathon!

"The results have been proven at every level, from the beginner to the elite, the Hanson’s training system works."—Desiree Davila, Olympic marathoner

Hansons First Marathon, from one of America’s most successful marathon training groups, offers a smart, friendly guide to preparing for your first marathon. With their proven method, the coaches of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project will show you how to break down the 26.2 miles into achievable daily workouts. By race day, you’ll feel strong and confident of a race experience you’ll be proud of.

The Hansons-Brooks Distance Project has an amazing track record of turning normal runners into marathoners through their acclaimed Hansons Marathon Method. Now they have made the marathon not just something to check off your bucket list, but also an enjoyable, inspiring, and life-changing experience.

Hansons First Marathon is for anyone who has decided to step up to the marathon. Whether you’re a totally new runner who has never run a race, a recreational runner who enjoys occasional races, or even a competitive runner who is ready to go all the way—you’ll find the right marathon training schedule for you in Hansons First Marathon. Author and coach Luke Humphrey starts you off on the right foot with a simple survey about your running experience, race goals, and your natural strengths and weaknesses. Then he guides you to the right plan to prepare you for the miles ahead.

Hansons First Marathon covers everything you need to know:

• Finding your foot type and a good shoe for marathon training
• The types of workouts and how (and why) to do them
• Choosing your race wisely
• Training around travel, illness, and navigating injuries
• How to stretch and strength train for marathon
• Ways to recover from daily runs and after your race
• Science-based nutrition and hydration guidelines for workouts and race day
• What to do differently during the crucial final 6 weeks before your race
• How to get to the start line feeling confident, stress-free, and ready
• Setting an ideal marathon race strategy that puts you in control

Marathons are an exciting, rewarding challenge for runners of all abilities, but how you get to the start line will determine how you finish. Choose Hansons First Marathon to start your marathon adventure and you’ll set yourself up for success. Train strong, finish strong.

Luke Humphrey is head coach of Hansons Coaching Services and a member of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. Humphrey holds a BA in Exercise Science from Central Michigan University, an MS in Exercise Science from Oakland University, and is a Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist with the American College of Sports Medicine. For nearly a decade, Humphrey has personally coached hundreds of runners to meet their goals.

Humphrey is also a professional distance runner who has qualified three times for the U.S. Olympic Trials. He has raced to top 10 and podium finishes in major U.S. running races from 10K to marathon.

Kevin and Keith Hanson are elite running coaches and co-founders of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. Kevin has earned multiple Coach of the Year distinctions in recognition of the performance of athletes racing in his programs.