Plan Names and Descriptions
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This six-week schedule is geared toward serious runners and racing veterans who can comfortably run for an hour or more, and who want to develop the ability to run stronger, longer. Designed by the experts at Runner’s World, this plan includes two speed sessions each week, two days of easy running, a day of rest, and a long run that stretches up to 12 miles. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and intermediate runners.
This five-week schedule, developed by the experts at Runner’s World,
is designed to provide beginners the endurance they need to go the 10-K distance (6.2 miles). The plan features four days of easy running, two days of rest, and some very short doses of faster running and gentle pickups. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate and advanced runners.
This six-week schedule was designed by the experts at Runner’s World to help intermediate runners—those who have been running for at least a year, have completed some 5-Ks and 10-Ks, and want to develop the stamina to finish a 10-K faster. Each week features two days of rest, two days of easy running, some tempo- runs, and intervals done at race pace or slightly faster. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and advanced runners.
If you want to go 26.2 miles but have a schedule that’s already jam-packed, this plan is for you. This program is geared for a runner with at least three years of experience, who regularly logs 35 to 40 miles per week and has completed other marathons and shorter races. This plan will help you develop the strength and endurance to run the marathon, and give you the flexibility you need to fit training into your busy life. Each week features three quality workouts including Yasso 800s, marathon-pace runs, and long runs. Any other easy runs or cross-training you do on the other days are extra credit. You can move around all the workouts, as long as you don’t do hard workouts, like long runs and speed work, back to back. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and intermediate and advanced runners.
This six-week schedule, designed by the experts at Runner’s World, is geared for seasoned runners with several years of experience who do speedwork on a regular basis, and who want to run their absolute fastest 5-K yet. The plan features two track sessions each week, plus three days of running at an easy pace and two days of rest. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate runners and beginners.
This six-week schedule, designed by the experts at Runner’s World, is geared for a beginner who has been running two or three times a week on a regular basis for a few months. The plan features three days of running each week to develop a solid base of aerobic strength, and four days of rest for recovery. If you’re new to running, it’s guaranteed to get you across your first finish line fit and injury-free. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate and advanced runners.
This six-week schedule, designed by the experts at Runner’s World, is geared for intermediate runners, who have been running consistently for at least a year, have completed races, and have tried some speedwork. It’s ideal for the person who wants to transition from just finishing a 5-K event to racing one. Each week includes four days of short runs, a session of faster race-pace intervals, and two days of rest. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and advanced runners.
This 14-week plan is designed for advanced runners who have averaged 35 miles per week or more for at least six months and who want to develop speed over a longer distance. Each week features one day of rest and six days of running. That includes tempo runs, speedwork, and long runs, which start at 10 miles and peak at 15 miles. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and intermediate runners.
This 14-week plan was designed by the experts at Runner’s World for beginners who have at least a year of experience running on a regular basis and log an average of 15 to 20 miles per week. Each week includes three days of rest, three days of shorter runs, and one long run, which starts at six miles, builds gradually, and peaks at 10 miles to give you the endurance you need to get comfortable running for two hours at a time. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate and advanced runners.
This 14-week plan was designed by the experts at Runner’s World for those who have been running consistently for several years and regularly log an average of 25 to 30 miles per week. It’s geared for those who may have finished a half-marathon and now want to finish faster. It features two days of rest and five days of running each week, including hill work, tempo runs, and a long run that starts at seven miles and peaks at 13 miles. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and advanced runners.
If you’re a veteran of long distances and want to race 26.2 miles as fast as you can, train with Runner’s World, the worldwide authority on training and racing for more than four decades. This 16-week program will help you fulfill your PR potential. It is geared for an experienced runner with at least three years of experience, who regularly logs 35 to 40 miles per week and has comfortably completed other marathons and shorter races. Each week features one day of rest and six days of running. That includes hill work, mile repeats, and the ever-popular Yasso 800s to build leg and lung power, plus marathon-goal pace runs. The weekly long runs, which start at 10 miles and peak at 23 miles, finish fast so you can practice the surge to the end that you hope to make on race day. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate runners and beginners.
If you’re ready to take the challenge of covering 26.2 miles, why not do it with the best? Train with Runner’s World, the worldwide authority on training and racing for more than four decades. This 16-week program will help you cross the finish line fit and injury-free. It is geared for those who have run for at least a year, three to four times per week on average. Each week features three days of running at an easy pace, a long run, and three days of rest. The long runs, which many rookies dread from the get-go, start at just five miles and gradually build to 20 miles a week toward the end of the program. Not the right plan for you? Check out our marathon training programs for intermediate and advanced runners. If you’re not ready to do 26.2 miles, check out Runner’s World’s training plans for 5-Ks, 10-Ks, and half-marathons.
If you’ve finished a marathon, and now want to finish faster, train with Runner’s World, which has been recognized as the worldwide authority on training and racing for more than four decades. This 16-week plan is geared for those who have been running for two to three years, have gone through regular cycles of logging up to 30 miles a week, and have finished a few half-marathons and at least one marathon. It will help you develop the speed and endurance you need to run your best marathon yet. Each week features two days of rest and five days of running. That includes hill work and the ever-popular Yasso 800s to build leg and lung power, plus marathon-goal pace runs. The plan starts with 25 miles a week and a seven-mile long run, and peaks three weeks before the race with 48 miles and a long run that’s 20 to 22 miles. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and advanced runners.
Have you just finished going 26.2? This four-week plan will help you recuperate from the race, maintain your fitness, and stay injury-free. It starts with rest and cross-training to help your recovery, and gradually adds mileage and speed so that within one month of crossing the finish line, you’ll feel as fit and fresh as you did before the race. All of the cross-training and easy runs should be kept at a relaxed pace at first—below 70 percent of maximum heart rate. Follow the plan, but also listen to your body. If you feel acute pain or have lingering fatigue, progress to the next week’s training only when you can comfortably complete the preceding week’s goal.
This 10-week plan was designed by the experts at Runner’s World for advanced runners who have averaged 35 miles per week or more for at least six months and who want to develop speed over a longer distance. Each week features one or two days of rest and five or six days of running. That includes race-pace runs, speedwork, and long runs, which start at 10 miles and peak at 13 miles. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and intermediate runners.
This 10-week plan was designed by the experts at Runner’s World for beginners who have at least a year of experience running on a regular basis and who log an average of 15 to 20 miles per week. Each week includes three days of rest, three to four days of shorter runs, and one long run, which starts at five miles, builds gradually, and peaks at 10 miles. You’ll do some gradually longer segments of running slightly faster than your usual pace to give you the stamina you’ll need to finish 13.1 miles feeling strong. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate and advanced runners.
This 10-week plan was designed by the experts at Runner’s World for those who have been running consistently for several years and who regularly log an average of 25 to 30 miles per week. It’s geared for those who may have finished a half-marathon and now want to finish faster. It features two or three days of rest and four or five days of running each week. It includes speedwork to boost your stamina and plenty of race-pace miles to help you easily get into rhythm on race day. There’s a long run each week, which starts at eight miles in week one and peaks at 13 miles. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for beginners and advanced runners.
If you’re a veteran marathoner and want to fulfill your PR potential, train with Runner’s World, the worldwide authority on training and racing for more than four decades. The Personal Best Marathon training plan is geared for a runner with at least three years of experience, who regularly logs 35 to 40 miles per week and has comfortably completed other marathons and shorter races. Each week features one day of rest and six days of running. That includes hill work, mile repeats, and Yasso 800s, plus race-pace runs and tune-ups to prep you for race day. The mileage starts at 28 miles per week and peaks at 60 miles per week. Not the right plan for you? Check out Runner’s World’s training plans for intermediate runners and beginners.
If you’re ready to run your first marathon, the Runner's World Personal Best training program will help you get to the starting line fit and injury free. It is geared for those who have run for at least a year, three to four times per week on average. Each week features three days of short run a long run, and three days of rest. The plan also includes strides to ease you into speedwork, and time trials to help you track your progress and set realistic race goals. The mileage starts with 15 miles per week and peaks at 40 miles per week. Each day, along with your workouts, you’ll also get tips on training, nutrition, and injury prevention from the Runner’s World experts. Not the right plan for you? Check out our marathon training programs for intermediate and advanced runners. If you’re not yet ready to do 26.2 miles, check out Runner’s World’s training plans for 5-Ks, 10-Ks, and half-marathons.
If you’ve finished a marathon, and now want to finish one faster, Runner’s World's Personal Best Plan will help you reach your goals. This 16-week program is geared for those who have been running for two to three years, have gone through regular cycles of logging up to 30 miles a week, and have finished at least one marathon. Each week features two days of rest and five days of running. That includes hill repeats, mile repeats, and Yasso 800s, plus marathon-goal pace runs, tune-up races, strides, and time trials. The plan starts with 25 miles a week and peaks at 50 miles per week. Each day, along with your workouts, you’ll get tips on training, nutrition, gear, and injury-prevention, from the Runner’s World experts. Not the right plan for you? Check out our plans for beginners and advanced runners.
Did you BQ? Are you headed to Hopkinton in 2010? Runner’s World, the leading authority on training and racing, has designed this unique plan to help you prepare to run the world’s oldest and most-prestigious 26.2-mile course, the Boston Marathon. This 16-week program features easy runs, speedwork, and long runs, plus hill workouts that will help you develop the fitness you’ll need to weather the descents early in the race and the notorious climb up Heartbreak Hill. Along with tips on training, nutrition, injury-prevention, and cold-weather running, you’ll also get interesting facts and highlights about the legendary marathon. The plan is geared for someone who has met the qualifying standards for Boston in at least one other marathon, and regularly runs 30 to 40 miles per week. Each week of the program includes two days of easy running, two days of rest, one long run, hill work, and speed sessions such as mile repeats and Yasso 800s. The long runs start at nine miles and stretch up to 22 miles three weeks before the race. If you’re training for another race, or this isn’t the right plan for you, check out Runner’s World’s other marathon training plans.