Start Running | Special Plans
Length: 7 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout: 40-minute run/walk, alternating between a comfortable jogging pace for 3 minutes and a walking pace for 2 minutes.
Recommended Experience: None! This plan will get you running strong no matter how may miles you've run in your life.
Length: 12 Weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout: 30-minute run/walk, alternating between 1 minute of running and 2 minutes of walking.
Recommended Experience: None! This plan is designed to help you reach your weight loss goals while you become a strong, more confident runner.
Length: 14-Weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest or 30-60 min run
Sample Workout: 40-60 min + 8x 100m soft surface strides + 10-15 min cool down. This plan incorporates classic workouts into each training phase and explores why these workouts remain so iconic and worthwhile.
Recommended Experience: This plan begins at your current fitness level and challenges your comfort zone on workout days. Recommended for runners looking to incorporate a variety of workouts into their training.
5K
Length: 8 Weeks, 4 days on and 3 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 4-mile long run at an easy pace.
Recommended Experience: This plan is for a new runner who has been exercising at least four times a week for two months.
Length: 8 weeks, 4 days on and 3 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 2.5 miles on hills. Find a route that incorporates some elevation along the way. The hills will make you faster and mentally tougher.
Recommended Experience: Geared to a runner who can already complete three miles at one time and averages at least 13 miles per week. The plan will peak at a 7 mile long run and 20 miles per week.
Length: 8 Weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 1-mile warmup, 6 repeats of 400 meters at 1:33 with 200 meters at an easy jog in between each interval, 1-mile cooldown.
Recommended Experience: For the experienced runner looking to maintain a 5K at 6:30 per-mile pace. The plan peaks at 40 miles per week with a 12-mile long run.
10K
Length: 6 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 2-mile warmup at an easy pace, 6 repeats of 90-second intervals at race pace, 2-mile cool down.
Recommended Experience: For the runner used to exercising at least 4 days a week and can complete 4 miles in one run. This plan peaks at 23 miles per week with an 8-mile long run.
Length: 6 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout: 1 interval of 1200 meters, 1 interval at 800 meters, 2 intervals at 400 meters, 2 intervals at 200 meters, and 4 intervals at 100 meters. Run each slightly faster than goal race pace, except the 100 meter intervals—ramp up to 90 percent effort for 5 seconds during each.
Recommended Experience: For a runner that's consistently exercised and is capable of running at least 6 miles in one workout. This plan peaks at 30 miles per week with a 10-mile long run.
Length: 6 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout: 2 intervals of 1200 meters, 1 interval at 800 meters, 1 interval at 400 meters, 1 interval at 200 meters, 6 intervals at 100 meters. Complete each at slightly faster than goal race pace except for the strides, which should max at 90 percent effort.
Recommended Experience: For the regular runner looking to build speed and strength. This plan peaks at 40 miles per week with a 14-mile long run.
Half Marathon
Length: 14 weeks, 4 days on and 3 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 12-mile long run. Complete at an easy, conversational pace.
Recommended Experience: For a new runner who has been exercising regularly for at least a year, or someone who has completed a few 5Ks or 10Ks and can complete 6 miles in one workout. This plan peaks at 28 miles in a week with a 12-mile long run.
Length: 10 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: Interval workout with 2 miles of warmup, 4 intervals at 400 meters, 2 intervals at 800 meters, 1 interval at 1200 meters, all at slightly faster than race pace. 1-mile cool down.
Recommended Experience: For runners comfortable exercising for at least an hour at a moderate effort. This plan peaks at 32 miles in a week with a 14-mile long run.
Length: 10 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 8 miles starting with 3 miles easy, ramping up to 3 miles at race pace, ending with 2 miles of an easy cool down.
Recommended Experience: For someone who can run at least 10 miles at once, and is used to consistent, weekly exercise at a moderate to hard effort. This plan peaks at 44 miles per week with a 16-mile long run.
Length: 10 Weeks
Sample Workout: 2-mile warmup, 3 400-meter intervals at 1:32 pace with 200-meter recovery, 3 800-meter intervals at 3:04 pace with 400-meter recovery, 1-mile cool down.
Recommended Experience: For the advanced runner who can complete at least 10 miles and is used to workouts at a moderate to hard effort. This plan peaks at 44 miles with a 16-mile long run.
Marathon
Length: 16 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout:20-mile long run at a comfortable pace.
Recommended Experience: Tackling 26.2 miles is an amazing and challenging feat, but this plan is designed to build your distance and fitness gradually. You should be able to run at least 6 miles and be used to working out regularly at a moderate to hard effort. You'll peak at 44 miles with a 20-mile long run.
Length: 16 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout: 2-mile warmup, 6 800-meter repeats at 4-minute pace with 400-meter recovery between each, 2-mile cool down.
Recommended Experience: For a consistent runner used to regularly working out four to five times a week. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 44 to 47 miles a week with a 22-mile long run.
Length: 16 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest
Sample Workout: 2-mile warmup, 8 400-meter intervals at 1-minute 50-second pace with 200-meter recovery between each, 1-mile cooldown.
Recommended Experience: For the consistent runner looking to complete 26.2 miles at 8:33 pace. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 44-47 miles with a 22-mile long run.
Length: 16 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days of rest or cross trainSample Workout:6 miles incorporating as many hills as you can.
Recommended Experience: For the consistent runner looking to complete 26.2 miles at 8:00 pace. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 44-50 miles with a 22-mile long run.
Length: 16 weeks, 5 days on and 2 days rest or cross train
Sample Workout: 5-mile warmup at easy pace, 2-mile tempo at 6:55 pace, 3-mile cool down.
Recommended Experience: For a consistent runner who has completed at least one marathon and can run at a hard effort for over an hour. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 45-52 in a week with a 22-mile long run.
Length: 16 weeks, 6 days on and 1 day rest
Sample Workout: 5-mile warmup, 2-mile tempo at 6:26 pace, 3-mile cool down.
Recommended Experience: For the marathoner with race experience that is aiming to run 26.2 miles at 6:52 pace per mile. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 50-56 miles per week with a 22-mile long run.
