As Olympic triathlon gold medalist Alex Yee prepares to make his marathon debut at the 2024 London Marathon, his approach offers practical takeaways for anyone training to run 26.2 miles—whether you’re aiming for a sub-3 or just hoping to cross the finish line strong.
Yee’s training strategy balances his background in triathlon with the specific demands of marathon running. While many traditional marathon plans focus on consistently increasing weekly mileage, Yee’s program is built around maintaining around 70–75 miles per week while continuing to swim and cycle. This cross-disciplinary approach reduces injury risk, preserves aerobic fitness, and could be a compelling strategy for marathoners looking to stay healthy through their peak training blocks.
One of the key elements of Yee’s prep is his focus on training intensity rather than just volume. Instead of pushing his mileage higher, he’s working on fine-tuning race pace and learning to stay relaxed under pressure. This kind of intensity-specific training is a useful reminder for marathoners: it’s not always about running more, but running smarter—especially when dialing in goal pace for race day.
Mentally, Yee is stepping into unknown territory. While he’s raced at elite levels on the track and in triathlon, the marathon distance introduces a different kind of psychological test. Preparing for that mental stretch—especially the final 10K where most runners hit the wall—is as much about strategy as it is about grit. Practicing race-day nutrition, pacing evenly, and managing expectations over long runs are all ways to get more comfortable with what lies beyond 20 miles.
His gear planning also reflects what many marathoners overlook: small discomforts compound over 2 to 3 hours of running. Testing everything—shoes, socks, shorts, gels—under race pace and in long efforts is crucial. Yee’s triathlon background makes him detail-oriented about his equipment, something every marathoner can learn from.
Ultimately, Yee’s marathon prep is a reminder that the 26.2 is a unique event—demanding, tactical, and deeply personal. Whether you’re racing your first or aiming for a PR, there’s value in experimenting with your training load, cross-training, and mental prep. Yee might be chasing a 2:07 finish, but the way he’s building toward race day has lessons for any runner toeing the line in the months ahead.
