Your road to 42.195 starts here
Master your marathon!
A comprehensive 36-week plan to help runners of all levels achieve their marathon goals with confidence and endurance. Completely new to running? There is a 1-year plan for absolute beginners.
Built from real coaching experience
Tested, proven, and adaptable to real-life runners.
Train smarter, not harder
This plan keeps you in the right effort zone for optimal endurance building and recovery.
Designed for the long run
It's not only about smashing your goals, but also about becoming a stronger, more resilient runner for life.
Train smart. Build strong.
Run your best marathon yet
Whether you're lacing up for your first marathon or looking to level up your performance, the Marathon Masterplan has your back. This structured plan gradually builds up your mileage, intensity and confidence, while making sure you recover and adapt along the way.
Louise Hendrickx
Marathon coach
Steal my strategy
In the past 2 years I have mainly done 1:1 coaching for athletes training for a marathon. This has allowed me to finetune their training schedules to a plan that really works and produces results. So the first thing I did when creating this plan was reviewing all the previous training sessions of my marathon athletes and collecting the best ones for you.
Choose your level
Four levels to start from
Pick the level that matches where you are today — every level leads to the same finish line.
Absolute beginner
Entry requirements
- • No prior marathon experience needed
- • Can commit to 2–3 runs + 1 strength session per week
Training plan info
- • 1 year training plan instead of 36 weeks
- • Long run starts at 3 km and proceeds to max 28 km
- • Weekly mileage starts at 5 km and proceeds to max 40 km
Beginner
Entry requirements
- • No prior marathon experience needed
- • Comfortable running 5 km continuously
- • Can commit to 3 runs + 1 strength session per week
Training plan info
- • Long run starts at 5 km and proceeds to max 28 km
- • Weekly mileage starts at 10 km and proceeds to max 40 km
Intermediate
Entry requirements
- • No prior marathon experience needed
- • Can run at least 10 km comfortably
- • Ready to train 3–4 times per week + 2 strength sessions
Training plan info
- • Long run starts at 10 km and proceeds to max 30 km
- • Weekly mileage starts at 20 km and proceeds to max 50 km
Experienced
Entry requirements
- • Has completed a half marathon or marathon before
- • Comfortable running 15+ km long runs
- • Can commit to 5 runs + 2 strength sessions per week
Training plan info
- • Long run starts at 15 km and proceeds to max 35 km
- • Weekly mileage starts at 40 km and proceeds to max 65 km
Run your best
Want the full package?
Running a marathon is not only about the training. It is also about staying injury-free and about the right nutrition before and during your race. That's why I created the Marathon Masterplan Full Package. Besides the training plan, it also contains the Marathon Masterplan Nutrition Guide and the Resilient Runner Strength Plan.
Experiences
What other people say
“I ran a sub 4h marathon in April 2025, which was my goal after my first marathon back in October 2023. I ran 40 min faster in 1.5 years. For my next goal, I will train with Louise again to run a sub 3h45 marathon in Antwerp, end 2025.”
“I increased endurance from 1/2 to a full marathon, while maintaining a heart rate below 160 for the full race. Basically, I can run long distance now ❤️ I ran my first marathon in 4h40 (in less than ideal physical circumstances), but I also ran 35 km in 3h30!!”
“I was looking for a coach for a trail running race when a good friend recommended Louise. She seemed very knowledgeable about training and avoiding injury, and was very friendly. My fitness, strength and endurance increased significantly without injury (VO2max increased from 53 to 56). I finished the race with a good feeling and a good time, significantly ahead of my estimated finishing time.”
Take the next step today
You don't have to feel ready to start.
You just need a plan that meets you where you are — and helps you build from there.