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BEST FOR: Experienced half-marathoners looking to set a PR PREREQS: Runs of 50–60 minutes 4–5 days a week for at least 8 weeks. Completion of a half marathon or marathon within the past six months. Injury-free. Recommended completion of a Heart + Sole: Level I program (10K, half-marathon, or marathon), but that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 20 Heart + Sole: Half-Marathon, Level 2 is a 20-week program suitable for experienced runners ready for a challenging program and a strong race day. You’ll 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, continuing to build your endurance base; you’ll also spend some time climbing hills, finding different gears with pick-ups and intervals, challenging yourself with progression runs and speed workouts, and practicing your race pace so that you’re ready to thrive on race day. -
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: 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: 18Point 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: 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. -
BEST FOR: First-time half-marathoners or experienced half-marathoners who are new to training by heart rate PREREQS: Runs of at least 45-60 minutes 3-4 days of the week for at least 8 weeks. Injury-free. Previous race experience isn’t mandatory, but having a 10K under your soles will be helpful for perspective as your runs get longer. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 20 Heart + Sole: Half-Marathon, Level 1 is a 20-week program suitable for all runners wanting to take on 13.1—or 21 km. 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. -
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. -
BEST FOR: Experienced runners looking for a PR PREREQS: For at least the past month, you have run 30-40 minutes (without walking) at least 3-4 times per week; your total weekly mileage should be at 15, if not higher. Race experience, especially in a 5K, is very helpful, so you’ll know how demanding a full-on 3.1 miles can be. An injury-free body is also 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: 8The focus of this 8-week program is to polish your speed, strength, and endurance so you can, if conditions allow, PR a 5K. You’ll increase endurance and stamina with long runs; strength with heart-pumping circuits and fun workouts; and speed with intervals and hill workouts.
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BEST FOR: A new or returning runner trying to run the full 5K distance PREREQS: Able to run 20–30 minutes without walking at least 2–3 times per week. Race experience not necessary, but if you’ve pinned on a bib for a 5K or another race distance, cool. 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: 8The 5K: Run Program is designed to train you to run a 5K race (3.1 miles of awesome!). You’ll build endurance and stamina with long runs; build strength with heart-pumping circuits and challenging, fun workouts (no, that’s not an oxymoron); and increase your speed with intervals and hill workouts.
The 5K is the most welcoming and accessible running distance. Don’t let the shorter distance fool you, though: Running (and racing) a 5K can be crazy rewarding and just wee bit taxing. The good news? Training for a 5K can be as fulfilling as training for a longer race, but with less of a time commitment on your part.
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BEST FOR: Those looking to complete a marathon with no time goals in mind PREREQS: Some run/walk experience; completed a half marathon or two; the ability to run/walk at least 60 minutes straight; current weekly mileage from 15 - 20 miles per week; injury free and in the habit of strength training twice a week in order to protect against injury NUMBER OF WEEKS: 18The 26.2: Run/Walk the Distance program is designed for those looking to complete a marathon with no time goals in mind: it could be your first go at the distance, you might be returning from having a baby, or you want a kinder, gentler way to tackle 26.2.
You’ll be training with incrementally longer running to walking intervals; you’ll start at 4:1 run/walk intervals, and build to 15:2 by race day, long enough to slow down at the aid station and fuel up and then hit the ground running again. We’re going to keep the paces easy on this one, but we’re going to make sure you get in the mileage you need for a marathon. Each week will also include one long walk, which is factored into the weekly totals, so keep that in mind when you see the big numbers. You'll definitely get that same high crossing the finish line as your running sisters taking on more aggressive plans.
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BEST FOR: Beginner to intermediate triathletes who have their sights set on an Olympic-distance race PREREQS: The ability to swim 100 yards in a pool without touching the bottom or hanging on the edge. It doesn’t have to be pretty. (If you can’t do that but are intent on this plan, enrolling in an adult swim class and/or private lessons is a great idea.) For the run and bike portions, being injury-free is necessary. Ideally, you have completed a sprint triathlon—or at least run a 5K and 10K. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 16 -
BEST FOR: Beginner to intermediate triathletes who have their sights set on a sprint-distance race PREREQS: The ability to swim 100 yards in a pool without touching the bottom or hanging on the edge. It doesn’t have to be pretty, and you don’t have to keep your face in the water the whole time. If you can’t do that but are intent on this plan, enrolling in an adult swim class and/or private lessons is a great idea. For the run and bike portions, being injury-free is necessary. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 12 -
BEST FOR: Intermediate to advanced runners PREREQS: At least one previous half-marathon or marathon; consistent running for at least the past 6 months; and the ability to currently complete an 8-mile run. Familiarity with more demanding workouts, such as tempo runs or negative-split runs, is helpful. NUMBER OF WEEKS: 1513.1: Race, a half marathon training program, develops speed as it builds endurance; as such, it’s best suited for intermediate to advanced runners committed to blazing a path to a personal record. With its varied workouts, there’s little risk of burnout in either your body or mind. A swift half marathon calls for a yin-yang of patience and aggression, both of which you’ll hone over the next 3+ months, setting you up to bust an impressive move on race day.