Road Running Double Periodization: Year-Round Training Plan for a Spring Marathon + Fall Marathon

Introduction

Taiwan’s annual marathon calendar is rich, from the spring Wan Jin Shi (March) and New Taipei Marathon, to the autumn Taichung Marathon (October) and Fubon Taipei Marathon (December). Many runners sign up for two major races a year, hoping to compete once in each season. However, without proper planning of the training rhythm between the two races, you may face the dilemma of “exhausted after the spring marathon and underprepared before the fall marathon.”

Dual Periodization is a training framework designed precisely to solve this problem—allowing your annual training to have two peaks and two recovery periods, enabling your body to reach peak competitive condition twice a year.

Reference for Taiwan Runners’ Annual Race Calendar

Below is the monthly distribution of common marathon events in Taiwan:

The Full-Year Structure of Dual Periodization

Using “March Wan Jin Shi + December Taipei Marathon” as a dual periodization example, the full-year training plan is as follows:

First Cycle (Preparing for the Spring Marathon): Late November–March

Transition Period (Between Spring and Fall Marathons): April–June

This is the most commonly misused period in annual training. The correct approach:

• Post-race recovery (April): Reduce volume completely for 2–3 weeks, allowing the body to fully recover from the stress of the spring marathon
• Active recovery (May): Easy runs + cross-training, weekly mileage no more than 35 km, no speed workouts at all
• Summer base maintenance (June): Maintain a steady 40–50 km per week, but due to Taiwan’s summer heat, slow down the pace and lower intensity

The most common mistake: Jumping straight into high-intensity training right after the spring marathon, rushing to improve performance in the summer, leading to summer injuries and an inability to prepare for the fall marathon.

Second Cycle (Preparing for the Fall Marathon): July–December

Different Goal Setting for the Two Cycles

In dual periodization, the goals for the two races can differ:

• Spring Marathon: If it’s a “test race” for the season, the goal can be a steady finish or testing pace strategy, without necessarily going all out for a PB
• Fall Marathon: Usually the “main event,” targeting your best performance; the spring marathon provides valuable race experience

Or the reverse: making the spring marathon the main event and using the fall marathon to maintain form and experience a different race is also a reasonable arrangement.

Special Strategies for Summer Training

Taiwan’s summer (June–August) heat and humidity are the biggest challenges in dual periodization:

• Use time instead of distance: In summer, train with “run for 60 minutes” rather than “run 12 km,” avoiding anxiety over mileage numbers due to slower paces from the heat
• Train at 5–6 AM: This is the coolest training window in Taiwan’s summer, with temperatures 5–8°C lower than midday
• Accept slower paces: Running at the same heart rate in summer will yield paces 15–30 seconds/km slower than in fall and winter—this is a normal physiological response
• Cross-training opportunities: Swimming and indoor cycling are great options for maintaining cardiovascular fitness in summer while reducing injury risk

Practical Advice

• Plan the annual schedule in advance: Every October–November, plan out the two race goals for the next year, then work backward from the finish line to map out each training phase
• Don’t skip recovery after the spring marathon: Many runners return to full training volume one week after the spring marathon—this is one of the main causes of injuries before the fall marathon
• Don’t rush the pace in the first month of fall: When restarting in September, spend the first 4 weeks rebuilding the aerobic foundation; speed workouts don’t begin until October
• Record the differences between the two cycles: Log how you felt during preparation for both the spring and fall marathons to identify which period yields better training results

Conclusion

The essence of dual periodization is “wave-like progression”—letting training intensity and mileage rise and fall like ocean waves, alternating between peaks and valleys. Taiwan’s climate happens to provide this natural rhythm: the cool fall and winter are peaks, while the hot summer is a forced rest. Following this rhythm, rather than trying to maintain peak intensity through the summer, is the smart way to plan dual periodization. Spring at Wan Jin Shi, fall at the Taipei Marathon—showing up for both races in peak condition is the ultimate expression of full-year training wisdom.

Related Reading

• Taiwan Road Racing Calendar: Complete Schedule of Key Events Across All Twelve Months
• How to Structure Dual Periodization (Macro/Meso/Micro Cycles): Building Your Annual Training Blueprint
• Road Running Season Review: Evaluating Your Annual Training Cycle
• MTB Training Volume Periodization: Race Season and Off-Season Workout Planning