What to know about The 100 Day Marathon Plan

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The 100 Day Marathon Plan is a digital training product created by Dr. Marius Bakken, an Olympic distance runner. The vendor states that the program is designed to help runners complete a marathon using specific training methodologies rather than generic mileage accumulation. The product is delivered as a comprehensive platform rather than a simple PDF, offering day-by-day guidance, video coaching, and calculation tools.

What it is

According to the product page, the plan is built on two primary training concepts: Italian Periodization and Kenyan Intensity control. The vendor says Italian Periodization involves a "negative taper" approach, moving through five distinct phases from short 5K/10K work to marathon-specific long runs. Kenyan Intensity control involves limiting workout intensity to no harder than 10K pace to manage recovery and prevent overtraining. The plan is structured to be customizable for runners of any age, gender, speed, or skill level.

What the vendor says it includes

The vendor lists the following components as part of the plan:

Eight Goal Plans: The product includes eight different plans to target specific finish times.
Detailed Daily Programming: Every day of the 100 days is mapped out with specific distances, intensities, and purposes.
Video Coaching Vault: The vendor says there are 15 instructional videos where Dr. Bakken explains the system.
Smart Calculators: Tools for calculating training paces, race splits, nutrition (carbs and fluids based on body size), and BMI.
Digital Manual: A 120-page manual containing the full method, session templates, and execution rules.
Flexibility Guide: Instructions on how to adjust the plan duration between 60 and 150 days.
Guides: Resources for race-day nutrition, mental training, injury prevention, and recovery optimization.

The vendor describes the 100-day timeline as follows: Weeks 1-2 focus on introduction with short intervals; Weeks 3-6 cover development of VO2 max and threshold efforts; Weeks 7-13 are the core specifics phase with marathon pace segments; and Weeks 14-15 are for tapering and the race.

Price and terms

The product page states the plan is available for a one-time payment. The vendor says this includes lifetime access to all eight goal plans. No specific dollar amount is provided in the text. The vendor states the product has been trusted by 4,600+ runners since 2009.

Things to check before buying

Does the one-time payment cover all eight goal plans, or are additional fees required for specific time targets?
What is the refund policy if the plan does not meet your needs?
Are the video coaching vault and calculators accessible on mobile devices or only via desktop?
Does the "flexibility guide" allow for significant deviations from the 100-day schedule without losing the intended structure?
Is the 120-page manual included as a downloadable file or accessed through the platform?
What specific heart rate or pace zones are recommended for the "Kenyan Intensity" workouts, and do they align with your current fitness level?