Smarter Marathon Training

AI coaching that balances running, strength, and recovery — whether you're chasing your first finish or a faster time.

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From $12.99/monthAvailable on iOSApple Watch required
1stMarathon app showing adaptive training plan
Apple Watch showing live running workout with HR zones

Training for a marathon is brutally hard

1 million+

steps during a training season

Every single one stresses your body

100+ million

kilos of force on your joints

2-3× your body weight, per step

50%

of first-timers get injured

That’s why preparation matters

200+

muscles used in every stride

Strength training targets the ones that fail first

15+

common running injuries

Most caused by training mistakes

300+

training sessions in a typical season

Running, strength, mobility, drills — all need to fit together

You don't need to figure it out alone

We handle the planning

Every run, strength session, and recovery day — periodized from base building to race day.

For all your races

Pick real half and full marathons from our catalog. We build dedicated plans with tapering between events.

With your coach just a message away

Report niggles, reschedule workouts, ask anything — through conversation, not menus.

Responding to your progress & recovery

HRV, heart rate, sleep, and running form flow from your Watch. When fatigue rises, the plan adjusts automatically.

A week with 1stMarathon

Chat-based coaching, Watch-guided workouts & automatic adaptation

Train on your wrist - phone
Train on your wrist - watch
Watch-Guided Running

Train on your wrist

Real-time HR targets, running scores, and post-workout feedback — your Apple Watch guides every run and syncs automatically.

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Real Journey, Real Training

I'm Proving This Works on My First Marathon

Nico, Founder of 1st Marathon

Nico

Founder, 1st Marathon

Ironman 70.3 FinisherFirst Marathon: May 2026

I used to train - a lot. Then life happened, I started a family and the training mostly stopped. But my dream of finishing a marathon stayed alive.

Now it's time. But I know myself. I tend to overtrain and do workouts that are fun rather than what actually supports marathon performance. I needed something to keep me balanced and accountable.

So I built an AI coach that actually adapts to real life. One that handles the planning so I can focus on showing up.

Now I'm proving it works by using it myself.

Training Progress

Start

Oct 5, 2025

Race Day

May 16, 2026

Week 27 of 32

86% complete

On October 5, 2025, I started training for my first marathon. Fully documented. Same AI coach you'll use.

Weekly Training Updates

View all

Questions & Answers

If You're Wondering…

Do I really need a coach? Can't I just follow a plan?

A static plan can't adapt when life happens. When you miss a workout, get sick, or have a busy week, a fixed plan just keeps marching forward—leaving you to guess how to catch up (which often leads to overtraining or injury). An adaptive coach recalibrates in real-time, keeping you on track without the guesswork.

What happens if I get sick or injured during training?

Just message your coach in the chat. If you're sick, your plan immediately adjusts—reducing intensity and volume while you recover, then gradually building back up. If you feel pain or a tweak, describe it and your coach modifies workouts to protect that area while keeping you moving. No guessing, no panic.

Do I really need strength and mobility work?

50% of first-time marathoners get injured before race day. Most running injuries don't come from running itself—they come from weak glutes, tight hip flexors, poor mobility, and muscular imbalances. By integrating strength and mobility from day one, you build the resilience that keeps you running.

Is the app available on Android?

Not yet—we're iOS only for now. We're focused on making the iOS experience great first before considering other platforms.

Do I need an Apple Watch?

Yes — an Apple Watch is required. Workouts run directly on your watch with real-time HR targets, running scores, and post-run feedback. HealthKit integration automatically tracks your training load and recovery, so your plan adapts without manual input. This is what makes the coaching truly intelligent.

How far out from my race should I start?

We require a minimum of 14 weeks for experienced runners, and longer for beginners. We won't create a plan that's unrealistic or sets you up for injury. If you don't have a race yet, you can start with base building and add races when you're ready.

Can I train for multiple races?

Absolutely. Browse our race catalog, pick half marathons, full marathons, or a mix — we'll build dedicated training plans around your entire schedule. Tapering, recovery, and base-building between events are handled automatically.

What if I'm a complete beginner who's never run before?

We support runners planning their first half or full marathon. If you don't have a race date yet, you can start with base building to develop your fitness, then add a race when you're ready. Plenty of time to take a complete beginner to the finish line.

Is the founder a beginner too?

Yes! I'm training for my first marathon right now using the same AI coach you'll use. I've done endurance events before (Ironman 70.3, trail runs), but never a full marathon. Building this while training for it means I'm constantly finding and fixing what doesn't work in real life.

Train Like The Pros

Become a Complete Marathon Athlete

Chat with your coach, train on your Watch, and let automatic adaptation do the rest. Half marathon, full marathon, or both — we build around your race schedule.

Chat-based AI coaching
Apple Watch guided workouts
Automatic load tracking & adaptation
Half & full marathon support
Block-based strength on Watch
Cross-training: swim, bike, row & more
Overtraining protection built in

Monthly

Cancel anytime

$12.99/month
Get Started
Save 20%

Annual

Billed yearly

$10.39/month

$124.70 billed annually

Get Annual Plan

Available on iOS · Requires Apple Watch

Free Knowledge Base

Here's the research your coach is built on

You can access everything for free, but you don't need to. Focus on running and let our AI coach you with the same knowledge.

We believe knowledge belongs to everyone. All articles are free to read, backed by research and coaching experience.

40+

Research-Backed Articles

Running Workouts & Training Plans
Strength Training & Exercise Blocks
Training Fundamentals & Phases
Injury Prevention & Recovery
Common Mistakes to Avoid
100% Free