YOU'VE ENTERED THE GOLD COAST MARATHON… NOW WHAT? | 30-WEEK GAME PLAN WITH BENITA WILLIS

If you’ve just signed up for the 2026 ASICS Gold Coast Marathon – welcome to the club, legends!

Courtney and Liam are back with Gold Coast Marathon ambassador and Aussie distance great Benita Willis from Lace Up Running to answer the big question: “I’ve entered… now what?”

30 weeks out, we cover:

• Why you should NOT be in marathon shape by April

• How to break your build into phases: 5K/10K/half now, marathon block later

• Walk–jog plans and base building for absolute beginners

• Long runs by time, not distance (and why 90 mins is plenty for now)

• Strength work, summer training, Christmas parties and not cooking yourself in December

• T100 10K on the Gold Coast in March is the perfect test event in your preparation - enter here

Hit play, take a breath, and lock in a smart 30-week game plan – not a hero December.

Contact Benita for training support at ⁠⁠⁠Lace Up Running⁠⁠⁠

Follow the podcast on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@inthebeginningpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Courtney on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Liam on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strava⁠