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BEST FOR: Well-trained and experienced marathoners PREREQS: Runners should have at least three marathons in the past three or four years; have established a solid base (long runs begin at 10 miles and the first week totals 27 miles); an injury free body. You will hit the ground running (literally!), so be mentally and physically ready for that reality. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 18
Point blank: 26.2: Obliterate the Distance is our toughest traditional running plan, and you should be well-trained and injury free to even consider it. It’s going to take some deep digging and dedication, not to mention a big investment in time.
We want you to have at least three marathons under your belt and a good base in those legs (read: at least five years of running). That said, if you’re after a BQ or a PR, this plan is your best shot. You’re going to come out of this program stronger than ever and ready to take things to the next level. You’ll run hills and mile repeats, hang in during tempo sessions, and spend plenty of time at race pace. You’ll also hammer out eight runs that are 15 miles or longer, but there are two cutback weeks woven into the first 15 weeks before you taper.
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BEST FOR: Experienced halfers looking to nail a killer time PREREQS: An established base of consistent, injury-free running for at least the past 6 months; a few half marathons within the past year or so; and the ability to complete an 8-mile run pretty easily. It also helps to be intimate with more demanding workouts, such as tempo runs or hill repeats.
What constitutes being ready to CRUSH? Glad you asked. You can currently run at least eight miles and have been injury-free for at least six months. You also need to be able to devote enough time to running and strength training and foam rolling, so if you’ve got another life event happening— a move, a new job, a relationship status change—this might not be the optimal time to CRUSH.
All that said, if you’re up for it and you follow the plan, you’re going to be thrilled with how strong and accomplished you feel on race day.
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BEST FOR: First-time marathoners PREREQS: Runs of at least 45-60 minutes 3-4 days of the week for at least eight weeks; injury-free. Previous race experience is not mandatory, but having a half-marathon under your soles will be helpful for perspective as your runs get longer. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 20
Heart + Sole: Marathon, Level 1 is a 20-week program suitable for all runners wanting to take on the motherlode of all races: the marathon. You’ll learn—or continue—to train by heart rate, using your individual zones, calculated by regular testing, to moderate your effort appropriately. You’ll spend plenty of time in the lower zones, building your endurance base; you’ll also spend some time climbing hills, finding different gears with pick-ups and intervals, and practicing your race pace so that you’re ready to thrive on race day.
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BEST FOR: For those who have completed a 10k before PREREQS: Able to complete a six-mile run and have run at least one 10K before; completed longer races like a half marathon or marathon preferred. An injury-free body is key: If you’ve got lingering issues that are on their way out the door, be sure to keep up the physical therapy and/or foam rolling to continue to encourage their exit. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 12 This aggressive, 12-week plan will take you to a rip-roarin’ fast 10K (6.2 miles). Along the way, you’ll build your cardiovascular base with long runs; hit some hills to increase your leg strength; and have multiple doses of tempo runs, 800’s, and other speed-builders so you can mentally and physically get ready to let it rip on race day. As your running improves, your mental toughness will also soar to new heights as you knock off challenging—but doable—workouts. You’ll also run a practice 5K in the middle of the plan to check your pace and hop in a race. (Hey, that rhymes!)
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BEST FOR: Beginner or intermediate runners looking to try a new distance beyond the 5K PREREQS: Consistent running or briskly walking for 20-30 minutes 3 days of the week for at least 8 weeks. Injury-free. No previous experience necessary in racing or in running by heart rate. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 15 Heart + Sole: 10K, Level 1 is a 15-week program suitable for all runners wanting to take on 10K—or 6.2 miles. You’ll learn—or continue—to train by heart rate, using your individual zones, calculated by regular testing, to moderate your effort appropriately. You’ll spend plenty of time in the lower zones, building your endurance base; you’ll also spend some time climbing hills, finding different gears with pick-ups and intervals, and practicing your race pace so that you’re ready to thrive on race day.
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BEST FOR: Runners who want to maximize their training miles PREREQS: Ability to comfortably finish a 4-mile run – your first long run is 5 miles long. That said, because of the Ramp It Up options, this program is suited to a wide range of runners, from 5Kers looking to more than double their mileage to marathoners dialing back on distance and up in intensity. A desire to complete a 10-miler injury free with your body feeling strong. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 15 A 10-mile race is a delightful distance—long enough to cross into double digits, distance-wise, but not one step further—and this is a delightful program to maximize each of your miles. Most of the runs are at an easy pace, making it perfect for a pair or group of women to take on together as you’ll have lots and lots of time on the road (or trail or treadmill) to talk. Working your long runs up to race distance gets you mentally and physically prepped for the demands of the distance, but a range for long runs is given in later weeks to accommodate all levels—and days where your legs haven’t shown up. From the start, this plan integrates start-slow-get-fast pacing strategies so, as you’re standing on the starting line, you know you’re ready to run a smart + strong 10-miler.
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[NOTE: This listing is for new members; register here if you are new to Many Happy Miles in 2023—or if you're rejoining after a break. If you are renewing a current membership, please head here to renew.] Here's how to register: 1. This page automatically adds your new Many Happy Miles membership to your cart; you do not need to select it. 2. Choose either a Many Happy Miles tumbler or a Many Happy Miles tech long sleeve from the drop down menu labeled “Many Happy Miles Membership Gift.” This will be your FREE gift as a member for 2023. (You can also opt for “none” if you prefer to skip a gift.) 2. If you want both membership gifts, you can purchase the one you didn’t select as your free gift.
4. Many Nutritious Miles is a new program for 2023. This program is a separate program from Many Happy Miles; it will have separate materials and private Facebook page. Many Happy Miles members receive an exclusive 20% savings on registration for Many Nutritious Miles. -
BEST FOR: Someone tackling a 10K for the first time PREREQS: Able to run/walk three or four miles comfortably; ideally have completed a 5K race and have a few months of consistent running or run/walking; if you’re a newbie to speedwork, no worries, we’ll ease you into it. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 12
The Train Like a Mother 10K Run, a 12-week plan, is best for someone tackling a 10K (6.2 miles) for the first time, coming back from injury or pregnancy, or wanting to run a strong effort on 10K race day and cross the finish line with a smile on her face.
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BEST FOR: A wide range of women, from 10Kers looking to step up to new distance to marathoners dialing back on distance. The common thread is a desire to complete a half marathon with your body feeling strong and injury-free—and a smile on your face. PREREQS: The ability to currently finish a 6-mile easy run (Experience in shorter races is helpful but not mandatory.) NUMBER OF WEEKS: 15
The 13.1 Run: This half marathon training plan will comfortably bring you up to half marathon glory over 15 weeks. Most of the runs are at an easy pace, making it perfect for a pair or group of women to take on together as you’ll have lots and lots of time on the road (or trail or adjacent treadmills) to talk.
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BEST FOR: Experienced marathoners looking for a PR PREREQS: A relatively healthy, injury-free body is essential; experience running at least one previous half marathon or marathon preferred; an established base of consistent running for at least the past 6 months; be able to complete a 10-mile run; preferred familiarity with more demanding workouts, such as tempo runs or negative-split runs, although we’ll help you through those. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 18
Crush the Distance, a marathon training program, isn't for the faint at heart; some days, you will definitely need to dig deep and shovel in some badass #motherrunner grit to get it done. When you do, you will be rewarded on race day with legs that are super-strong and able to tackle the distance with a vigor that surprises you.
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BEST FOR: All levels of runners who want to use heart rate to guide their training. Whether you are coming off the couch, returning from an injury, finding your post-pregnancy groove, or simply wanting to take your fitness to the next level, this program is a healthy, sensible, and fun next step in your running journey. PREREQS: No running experience, fitness level, or specific athletic background is necessary; this program meets you exactly where you are fitness-wise and helps you become a more fit, efficient runner. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 8 In this Introduction to Running by Heart Rate, you’ll calculate your personal zones with one of two heart rate tests, and use that data to guide your training. You’ll test twice more during the eight-week program so you’ll be familiar with the process and be able to adjust your individual zones appropriately as you gain endurance and work up to a 75-minute run.