What is the difference between speed cards and marathon cards?
Short Answer
Speed cards prioritize memorizing one deck as fast as possible. Marathon cards emphasize endurance—multiple decks or sustained performance—so pacing, consistency, and fatigue management matter as much as raw speed.
Why This Matters
Because these events stress different constraints, training changes: speed work optimizes rapid encoding, while marathon work optimizes stability and error control. Choosing the right practice focus leads to faster progress and fewer plateaus.
Where This Changes
Beginners usually benefit from slower accuracy-first practice before specializing. For non-competition goals, you can ignore both formats and use similar techniques at a comfortable pace.