Pfitzinger & Douglas · Advanced Marathoning · 18/55

RPH
Marathon
Planner

11 Oct Race day
18 wks Duration
~84 km Peak week
2:59:59 Goal time
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Training Plan
18 weeks · paces · key · weekly breakdown
Easy
5:00–5:30
min/km
Long run
4:50–5:15
min/km
Lactate threshold
4:03–4:10
min/km
Marathon pace
4:16
min/km
VO2 Max
3:45–3:50
min/km
Key
Easy
Long run
Lactate threshold
Marathon pace
VO2 max
Race
S&C
Swim
Bike
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Strength & Conditioning

Session A

~55Minutes
10Exercises
3–4Sets per block
Lower bodyPrimary focus
This session targets posterior chain strength — the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back that power your running stride. The supersets keep your heart rate up and maximise time under tension. The deadlift is your primary strength lift; supersets A, B and C are accessory work. Perform in order: Superset A → Deadlift → Superset B → Superset C.
Superset A
3 sets · no rest between exercises
Perform both exercises back-to-back without rest. Rest 60–90 seconds between sets.
Hamstring Bridge Walk Out and In
bodyweight
3 sets 10 reps no rest
A glute and hamstring activation drill that also challenges core stability. Start in a glute bridge position with your hips raised, then walk your feet out one step at a time until your legs are nearly straight — keeping hips elevated throughout — then walk back in.
Shoulders and feet are the only contact points — hips stay level
Squeeze glutes hard at the top before each step out
Control the walk out — don't let the hips drop as legs extend
Each out-and-back counts as 1 rep
Single Leg Hip Thrust
with a barbell
3 sets 10 reps each leg no rest 20 kg barbell
A unilateral glute exercise that directly mimics the single-leg push-off in running. Upper back rests on a bench, barbell across the hips, one leg raised. Drive through the heel of the planted foot to thrust the hips to full extension.
Chin tucked — don't let the neck hyperextend at the top
Drive the knee of the raised leg slightly forward — don't let it collapse inward
Full hip extension at the top — pause for 1 second
Complete all reps on one leg before switching
Deadlift
with a loaded barbell
4 sets 8 reps 1 min rest 60 kg barbell
The primary strength movement of this session. The conventional deadlift develops total posterior chain power — glutes, hamstrings, spinal erectors, and grip — all essential for running economy. At 60 kg and 8 reps this is a moderate-intensity working weight; focus on technique over loading.
Bar over mid-foot, hip-width stance, double overhand grip just outside the legs
Hinge at the hips first — feel the hamstrings load before the bar leaves the floor
Big breath into the belly, brace core hard before every rep
Drive the floor away — don't think about pulling the bar up
Bar stays in contact with the legs throughout — no forward drift
Controlled lower — don't drop the weight after each rep
Superset B
3 sets · no rest between exercises
Core stability paired with unilateral leg strength. Rest 60–90 seconds between sets.
Side Plank with Leg Lift
bodyweight
3 sets 10 reps each side no rest
A lateral core and hip abductor exercise that targets the gluteus medius — the muscle responsible for pelvic stability during single-leg running. From a side plank position on your forearm, raise the top leg to hip height and lower with control.
Hips stacked — don't let the lower hip sag toward the floor
Keep the top foot flexed (toes pointing forward, not up)
Raise the leg to hip height only — higher is not better here
3-second lowering phase to increase time under tension
Split Squat
with a barbell
3 sets 8 reps each leg no rest 50 kg barbell
A unilateral quad and glute exercise that builds single-leg strength and hip flexor flexibility — both directly transferable to running. Barbell on the upper traps (back squat position), one foot forward, one back. Lower the rear knee toward the floor.
Front foot far enough forward that your shin stays mostly vertical at the bottom
Rear knee tracks straight down — don't let it kick out to the side
Keep your torso upright — resist the urge to lean forward as the weight increases
Drive through the front heel to stand — front leg does most of the work
Complete all 8 reps on one leg, then switch
Superset C
3 sets · no rest between exercises
Upper back and core finisher. Rest 60 seconds between sets.
Straight Arm Row
with a cable machine, straight bar
3 sets 10 reps no rest 1 kg cable
A lat and rear deltoid exercise performed standing with straight arms. Cable set to high pulley, grip the straight bar overhand, hinge slightly at the hips, then pull the bar down in an arc to hip level while keeping the arms locked straight — like a straight-arm lat pulldown but standing.
Arms stay straight throughout — this is a shoulder movement, not an elbow one
Slight forward lean — about 15–20 degrees from vertical
Squeeze the lats hard at the bottom of each rep
Slow the return — 3 seconds back to start
Single Arm Back Row in Half Kneeling
with a cable
3 sets 10 reps each arm no rest 1 kg cable
A unilateral back exercise in a split stance that also challenges trunk rotation control — highly relevant to the contralateral arm swing in running. Half-kneeling (one knee down, one foot forward), facing the cable, pull the handle to the hip.
Half-kneeling position: knee down is same side as the working arm
Brace the core — resist the cable pulling you into rotation
Drive the elbow back and close to the body — not out to the side
Squeeze the shoulder blade toward the spine at full contraction
Plank
with an exercise ball
3 sets 45 sec hold no rest
A deep core stability exercise with the instability of the exercise ball increasing demand on the transverse abdominis. Forearms on the ball, body in a straight line from head to heels.
Pull the ball slightly toward you with your forearms — this activates the core harder
Hips level — don't let them pike up or sag down
Breathe — don't hold your breath for the whole 45 seconds
Eyes down to keep the neck neutral
Incline Plank with Back Row
with a dumbbell
3 sets 10 reps no rest 10 kg dumbbell
A combination anti-rotation core and upper back exercise. In an incline plank position (hands on an elevated surface), hold a dumbbell in one hand and perform a single-arm row while maintaining the plank. This is one of the most running-specific exercises in the session — it trains the body to resist rotation while the arms and legs work asymmetrically, exactly as they do when running.
The plank must stay rigid throughout the row — hips don't rotate
Row arm: elbow drives back and up, close to the body
Support arm: push the surface away — don't collapse into the shoulder
Alternate arms each rep, or complete all reps on one side then switch
Start with a lighter weight if the plank position breaks down
Strength & Conditioning

Session B

~60Minutes
9Exercises
3Sets per block
Full bodyPrimary focus
This session builds lower body power, upper body pulling strength, and core control. It pairs hip-dominant movements with upper back work — the combination improves both running propulsion and arm-drive efficiency. Perform in order: Superset A → Superset B → Superset C → Superset D. Rest 60–90 seconds between sets of each superset.
Superset A
3 sets · no rest between exercises
Hamstring and glute activation circuit. Rest 60–90 sec between sets.
Single Leg Hamstring Curl Bridge
with an exercise ball
3 sets 12 reps each leg no rest exercise ball
A hamstring and glute exercise combining a bridge with an instability challenge. Lying on your back, place one heel on the ball with the other leg raised. Drive the hips up into a bridge, then curl the ball toward your glutes by bending the knee — hip height must stay constant throughout the curl.
Start with a strong hip bridge before curling — don't skip the hip extension
The raised leg should mirror the angle of the working leg — don't let it drift
Slow the return — 3 seconds extending back to start position
Hips stay level — this is harder than it looks with a single leg
Side Plank Clam
with an exercise band
3 sets 20 reps each side no rest blue exercise band
A gluteus medius and hip abductor exercise in a side plank position with a resistance band around the thighs. From a side plank on your forearm, open the top knee upward like a clamshell while holding the plank. The band adds resistance to the abduction — critical for preventing hip drop while running.
Maintain the side plank throughout — don't let the hip sag as you open the knee
Feet stay together — only the top knee opens
Open as wide as hip rotation allows without rotating the pelvis
Keep tension in the band at all times — don't let it snap closed
Single Leg Romanian Deadlift with Shoulder Flexion
with a dumbbell
3 sets 10 reps each leg no rest 4 kg dumbbell
A balance, hamstring, and shoulder coordination exercise that closely mimics running mechanics. Standing on one leg, hinge forward at the hip (RDL pattern) while simultaneously raising the dumbbell forward in a shoulder flexion — the opposite arm raises as you hinge, just like the contralateral arm swing in running.
Hinge comes from the hip — not a squat or a back bend
The dumbbell arm and rear leg move together — they're counterbalances
Slight knee bend on the standing leg — don't lock it out
Eyes focused about 1 m in front of you on the floor for balance
Shoulders stay square — don't let them rotate as you reach
Superset B
3 sets · no rest between exercises
Heavy hip and leg power block. Rest 90 sec between sets.
Hip Thrust
with a loaded barbell on a bench
3 sets 10 reps no rest 60 kg barbell
The primary glute strength exercise of this session and one of the most effective movements for developing running propulsion. Upper back rests on a bench at hip height, barbell padded across the hips. Drive through both heels to extend the hips fully — your body forms a straight line from knees to shoulders at the top.
Feet hip-width, about 45 cm from the bench — knees track over toes
Chin tucked throughout — prevents lumbar hyperextension at the top
Full hip extension at the top — pause 1–2 seconds and squeeze hard
Lower controlled — don't drop; keep tension in the glutes on the way down
Use a barbell pad — 60 kg directly on the hip bones is uncomfortable
Bulgarian Split Squat
with dumbbells
3 sets 10 reps each leg no rest 12.5 kg dumbbells
A unilateral quad and glute exercise performed with the rear foot elevated — one of the most effective single-leg strength movements for runners. Rear foot on a bench, front foot stepped far forward. Lower until the rear knee approaches the floor.
Front foot far enough forward that the shin stays vertical at the bottom — if the knee dives forward, step further out
Keep the torso upright — slight forward lean is fine but don't collapse
Drive through the front heel to stand — the front leg does the work
Rear foot is just for balance — don't push off with it
Complete all 10 reps on one leg before switching
Superset C
3 sets · no rest between exercises
TRX pushing and core stability. Rest 60 sec between sets.
Push Up
with a TRX — feet in handles
3 sets 10 reps no rest TRX
A chest, shoulder, and core stability exercise made significantly harder by the instability of the feet in TRX handles. The suspended feet force continuous core and hip engagement to prevent the hips from sagging or rotating — this is anti-rotation core training embedded in a push.
Body forms a rigid plank from feet to shoulders — squeeze glutes and abs throughout
Elbows track at about 45° from the body — not flared out wide
Lower until the chest nearly touches the floor, press back to full arm extension
If hips sag, regress to hands elevated on a box until you build the core strength
Knee Tucks
with a TRX
3 sets 10 reps no rest TRX
A hip flexor and core exercise in a plank position with feet in TRX handles. From a push-up plank, draw both knees toward the chest simultaneously, then extend back. The instability of the TRX increases the core demand substantially compared to floor-based tucks.
Maintain a strong plank through the arms — don't let shoulders collapse
Draw the knees toward the chest in a smooth arc — not a jerky kick
Hips stay level — avoid letting them pike up too high on the tuck
Slow the extension back to plank — this is where the hamstrings work
Superset D
3 sets · no rest between exercises
Upper back and lat finisher. Rest 60 sec between sets.
Wide Lat Pull Down
pronation grip — cable machine
3 sets 10 reps no rest 40 kg cable
A lat and upper back width exercise with a pronated (overhand) grip on the wide bar. Seated at the cable stack, grip wide, slight lean back, pull the bar to the upper chest by driving the elbows down and back. Wide grip with pronation places more emphasis on the outer lats and posterior deltoids.
Grip wider than shoulder width — hands at the bends of the bar
Think "elbows to hips" — drive them down and back, not just back
Slight backward lean (15–20°) — more than this turns it into a row
Pull to the upper chest, not the chin — chin-level shortens the range
3 seconds on the return — resist the weight on the way up
Pronated Assisted Chin Up
assisted chin-up machine
3 sets 10 reps no rest
A vertical pulling exercise using a pronated (overhand) grip with machine assistance to complete the full range of motion. Pairing this directly after the lat pull down creates a significant lat fatigue challenge — the assisted machine allows you to maintain form and rep count as the lats tire.
Full dead hang at the bottom — let the arms extend completely before each rep
Pull until the chin clears the bar — full range of motion earns the rep
Cross your feet and keep legs still — don't use momentum to kick up
Initiate with the lats, not the biceps — think about pulling your elbows to your hips
As you get stronger, gradually reduce the assistance weight

Garmin Connect
Workouts

Every running session from the 18/55 plan, formatted as Garmin Connect workout JSON. Copy the JSON and import it directly into Garmin Connect's workout builder — structured steps, pace targets, and intervals all pre-filled.

How to import
1
Click Copy JSON on any session below
2
Open connect.garmin.com → Training → Workouts → Create
3
Install the Share Garmin Workout Chrome extension, then use it to paste & import
4
Or use Download JSON with the python-garminconnect library to bulk-import all sessions
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