PR Pacer · Running
Half Marathon Training Plan
Shorter than a marathon block, but not just a smaller version of one — the half rewards race-pace work more than raw volume.
The half marathon sits in an awkward spot: long enough that you can't just wing it on general fitness, short enough that most people race it closer to a hard, sustained effort than a marathon's more conservative pacing. A good plan reflects that — it leans more on race-pace and threshold work relative to total volume than a marathon plan does.
What the block should include
- A long run that builds toward race distance without needing to reach much past it — the half doesn't demand the same long-run peak a marathon does.
- Race-pace and threshold sessions, since the event itself is run at a harder relative effort than most runners' marathon pace.
- Consistent easy mileage between the harder days, so your aerobic base actually supports the pace you're training at.
- A short, focused taper — the block is shorter, so the taper doesn't need to be as long as a marathon's.
How long the block should be
10 to 14 weeks is typical for a runner with some existing base. If you're newer to structured training, 12 to 16 weeks gives the early buildup room to happen gradually instead of being compressed.
How PR Pacer builds yours
Give your coaching staff your race date, your current running, and your available days. The Head Coach lays out the full calendar with race-pace, threshold, and easy days properly distributed; the Analyst checks it for the usual failure points — mileage jumping too fast, hard days stacked together — before you see it. Once accepted, you can keep talking to your coach about any session, share a run for context, or ask what changes if your schedule shifts.
Build your half marathon plan with your AI training staff.
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Frequently asked
- How many weeks should a half marathon plan be?
- 10 to 14 weeks works for most runners with some base. Complete beginners often do better with 12 to 16, so the buildup isn't rushed.
- How is this different from marathon training?
- A half marathon plan asks less of your long run and more of your race-pace work, since the event is run closer to threshold effort for most runners. Quality sessions matter more relative to sheer volume.
- Is the half marathon a good first race distance?
- For a lot of runners, yes — long enough to require real training and pacing discipline, short enough that the training and recovery demands stay manageable.