Personalized Marathon Training Plan Guide

Preparing for a marathon requires a systematic training plan. RunBox AI coach creates a customized 16-20 week marathon training plan based on your fitness level, goal time, and available training time.

Why Choose an AI-Customized Marathon Training Plan?

Personalized Assessment: Based on your running experience and fitness condition
Smart Adjustments: Training intensity optimizes automatically with progress
Scientific Pacing: Based on your target finish time
Injury Prevention: Reasonable intensity progression to avoid injuries

liu xiao er i am the youngest pacer in this xiamen marathon

Although I am young, I have great ambition.

Me: "Swallow, I have arrived in Xiamen, just got off the plane."

As soon as I sent the WeChat message, Swallow replied instantly: "Xiamen, just hearing the name makes it sound like a beautiful city. Go explore quickly, and be my tour guide when you return."

Speaking of Xiamen, it’s a city I should have visited long ago. I had written in an article that I would wait for someone to accompany me to Xiamen, so I saved the opportunity for January 2019. My New Year's good luck started with getting selected for the Xiamen Marathon, followed by the Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon and the Wuxi Marathon. These cities I want to visit will eventually have my footprints.

I never expected to be chosen as an official pacer for the Xiamen Marathon. Initially, I just thought it would be great to run it, and even getting selected was already an honor.

When I later received the call notifying me of my selection, I thought it was a prank by a friend, as I often received prank messages when I didn't get selected for marathons. This time, it wasn't a prank; it was a real phone notification and an invitation to join the official pacer group. Only then did I believe I was selected as a pacer.

When the official pacer information was announced, it also included the ages of the pacers. The older pacers were very experienced. When I saw my information, it said I was 24 years old. I was puzzled because I thought I was only 23. But indeed, in 2019, I would be 24. I had to accept the fact of growing a year older.

Although I am the youngest among all the pacers, I do things seriously and don't cut corners. After the race, many people asked me: "How do you manage to get selected as a pacer for every marathon you want to run?"

I replied to them: "You only see the marathons where I was selected as a pacer. You don't see the ones where I wasn't selected."

Some also asked: "Why can you run as a 6:15 pacer, but I can't?"

I replied: "If you think you can, then first run a marathon in 6 hours and 15 minutes."

While having a New Year's Eve hotpot with Teacher Gong Yunfeng, he said, "Running a 3-hour marathon is no problem for me, but if you ask me to run a closing time pace, I really don't know how to do it."

Why is the closing time pacer always controversial? It's because the responsibility is significant. They not only have to help the runners behind them but also finish the race before the closing time. Only those who have been closing time pacers have more say in this matter.

Here, I want to especially thank all the closing time pacers of the events. Because of you, the entire event concludes smoothly. I also want to thank my 6:15 group partners in the Xiamen Marathon. Together, we helped many runners finish the race. Our closing ability is undeniable; you are all the best.

On this closing time path, we all have a dream: to help more runners finish the race. Meanwhile, we are also striving to run our best.

"Persisting for 10 kilometers is already a challenge for me."

Me: "Can you still run? Is your body feeling okay?"

Runner: "This is my first marathon. At first, I thought I would quit and go home after 10 kilometers. Unexpectedly, I have already finished the half marathon. It’s perfect, no regrets. I’m going to get on the sweeper bus now. Thank you."

This was the first time I heard a runner say this. They didn't run in pain, they challenged themselves, and they can tackle the remaining half next time. This mindset is actually quite good. Knowing what you want, understanding your completion status, step by step, you will gain something, and it also avoids unexpected physical issues.

A female runner cried and said: "I can't run anymore, I can't move."

I saw her crying all the way, but she didn't quit. She kept running while crying, and her pace remained steady. At the 40-kilometer mark, she finally stopped crying. It seemed she had adjusted her state and ran to the finish line.

It was the first time I saw a runner cry while running all the way. Just like in life, there will inevitably be disappointments, but it's better than giving up completely.

Runner: "Can I really finish before the closing time? Are you lying to me?"

Me: "Have I ever lied to you? Look, the kilometer marker ahead says 36 kilometers." I pointed ahead as I spoke. Even if I lied, the kilometer marker wouldn't lie. Running with small steps, you'll reach the finish line soon.

Here are some suggestions: runners with calf cramps should run more and strengthen core training; runners with colds should not push themselves too hard if they feel unwell during the race; men with chafed nipples should prepare nipple covers in advance; runners who feel hungry should stop at the aid stations to eat some supplies before continuing. Sharpening the axe won't delay the work of cutting firewood.

2+4+2=8, 8 subgroups of closing time pacers.

Since the pacer list was announced, the 6:15 pacer group has been very active, discussing pacing strategies, how to clock in at each 5-kilometer checkpoint, and more.

With 8 pacers, the 6:15 closing time group is quite large. Although the team is large, we can't let all 8 pacers occupy the entire track and affect other runners. So, we divided into 3 groups: 2 responsible for timing checkpoints, 4 for maintaining a steady pace, and 2 for sweeping up the rear. If a pacer needs to use the restroom, the next pacer will substitute, and so on, reducing closing time errors and completing the closing time pacer task.

Along the way, the phrase I repeated the most was, "Is your body okay? Can you still run? Take care of yourself..." This was probably the most nagging I’ve been as a closing time pacer. Observing the runners' states, encouraging them, and advising those who really couldn't continue to stop. Sometimes, giving up appropriately is also a gain.

After the race, many runners found us on Weibo and WeChat to thank us for helping them complete a race they never thought they could. For us 8 closing time pacers, we hope many runners can finish the race within their physical limits and achieve their personal best in Xiamen. This was the first joy of the New Year.

Here, I also want to suggest that runners who finished despite calf cramps or other physical discomforts should rest well after the race, run correctly, and aim to run an even better Xiamen Marathon next year.

"Seeing you makes me so excited!"

"Panpan, I see you again." Before I could react, I was lifted up. Everyone was very enthusiastic.

"Where is Panpan?" Answer: "She is right behind." "Panpan, keep going, the finish line is waiting for you."

"Panpan, keep going, thank you for your hard work."

"Panpan, long time no see, let's take a photo together."

"Panpan, I broke 4 hours today. I’m waiting for you to come back so we can take a photo and post it on social media."

"Panpan, we meet again after the Xichang closing time pacer."

"Panpan, seeing you makes me so excited."

"Panpan..."

I received many messages starting with "Panpan..." In the first marathon of the New Year, I met many old friends. We took photos, ate, chatted, and had a great time.

*A little translation: taking a photo with the pacer of the black runner.

Question: "Did you sign up for the marathon just to reunite with old friends?"

Me: "No, I choose to go to cities I want to visit and happen to meet old friends. That’s the way to have a long-awaited reunion."

You say you get excited when you see me, but I also get excited when I see you. I am indeed a lucky person to have met so many wonderful people.

Xiamen Marathon, the most beautiful course with the most professional pacers, dedicated runners, committed staff, photographers capturing moments, Teacher Tian Jie waiting for us at the finish line, Teacher Zhu Ming handling pacer affairs, Xiamen's special supplies, and very comfortable weather. After the race, many runners told me they achieved their personal bests. Xiamen is a blessed place, and we should make a ten-year pact to return. Best of luck.