Advanced Half Marathon Training Plan

“The human spirit is indomitable. No one can ever say you must not run faster than this or jump higher than that. There will never be a time when the human spirit will not be able to better existing records.” – Sir Roger Bannister

The Advanced Half Marathon training plan is similar to the Intermediate 13.1 training plan, except that you begin with a 9-mile long run in week 1 and progress to a 16-mile long run in week 10. This plan includes 5 to 6 runs per week with a focus on long runs, speed workouts, tempo runs, race pace workouts, and cross-training sessions. The goal of this Advanced Half Marathon plan is to improve your 13.1-mile finish times and performance!

Speed workouts are meant to improve performance by focusing on a faster pace and efficiency. Tempo runs and race pace workouts are designed to improve your comfort levels by running at a faster pace for an increased amount of time. As the plan progresses, the total running time and intensity of each session will increase.

The Advanced 13.1 training plan includes weekly cross-training workouts. These cross-training workouts allow you to incorporate other activities you enjoy with this training plan. Cross-training activities may include cycling, yoga, elliptical, swimming, or weight-lifting. With the goal of improving your half marathon time, cross-training workouts can make a remarkable difference in building strength and efficiency.

Individuals who consider themselves seasoned half marathon or 10K runners will want to choose this training plan to improve finish times. You should be running 4 to 6 times per week for 45 to 90-minutes each time for at least one year. It is recommended that you have completed at least one-half marathon or several 10K races in the past year. If you are running less, that is okay! Consider starting with the Intermediate Half, Intermediate 10K, or Advanced 10K training plan and building your fitness up to the level of this Advanced Half Marathon program.

Advanced Half Marathon Plan at a glance:

  • Length: 12 weeks
  • Typical Week: 4 days of running (1 speed workout), 2 optional days of cross-training, 1 day of rest
  • Longest Workout: 16 Miles
  • PDF: Easily download your running plan from our training plan library
  • Final Surge: Track your progress using your device, receive daily workout notifications, drag and drop calendar for easy modifications, lifetime access to the plan, and more!

How to Get Started?

Purchase our advanced half marathon running plan on Final Surge for a one-time fee of $19.99 per plan here. Digitally track your progress from start to finish of the training program.

  • Sync workouts across devices
  • Daily reminders of workouts and activities
  • Analyze workout and target zone details
  • Compatible with Garmin, Strava, Polar, TrainerRoad, MapMyRun, Wahoo, Stryd, and more.
Purchase on Final Surge

Half Marathon Advanced Training Plan Terminology

The terms in the Advanced Half Marathon training plan are defined inside the purchased plan, but let me define them for you here as well.

Warm-Up: Run/Walk for 5 to 10 minutes at an easy effort before every workout (run days and cross-training days). A proper warm-up will help to gradually increase heart rate, improve circulation, loosen up muscles, and prepare you for a workout.

Cool-Down: Run/Walk for 5 to 10 minutes at an easy effort after every workout (run days and cross-training days). A proper cool-down will help gradually bring your heart rate and breathing back down to normal levels after the days workout.

Perceived Effort: A way to rate your effort level based on your feelings about the level of intensity on a scale of 1 to 10. A 1 is considered ‘At Rest’ and a 10 is considered “An All Out Effort.” Use this scale in combination with Pace and Heart Rate to stay in the correct intensity level shown in the training schedule for a given day.

Heart Rate: If you have access to a heart rate monitor then use this device to stay in the correct range and intensity level shown in the training schedule for a given day.

Cross-Training: Include activities other than running and walking in your training plan. If you are completely new to exercise, then you may want to wait until weeks 4 or 5 to add in cross-training workouts. If you are already active 3 to 4 days per week, then start the cross-training as scheduled in the plan. Examples of activities for cross-training may include cycling, elliptical, rowing, strength training, swimming, or yoga. Cross-training will help to reduce the impact on your body and reduce the risk of injury from running. Cross-training can also speed up recovery time between running workouts. If you are ever feeling to fatigued or sore from running, then you may want to consider taking an occasional cross-training day as an extra day of rest.

Strength Training: A form of cross-training, strength training can be a great way to increase lean muscle and boost metabolism while at rest. Strength training can be completed using body-weight, free-weights, resistance bands, weight machines, or classes such as Pilates, Yoga, or Cross-Fit. Include exercises for upper body, core, back, and lower body. Warm-up with a run/walk for 5 to 10 minutes. If you are new to strength training, then start with 1 set of each exercise for 12-15 repetitions. The goal is to work your muscles to fatigue or until you can no longer maintain proper form during the exercise. Continue with 1 set of each exercise for weeks 1 through 3, then progress gradually over a few weeks to 2-4 sets of each exercise for 8-15 repetitions.

Flexibility: Stretch lightly after every warm-up and cool-down period. Stretching will help improve flexibility, increase circulation, speed up recovery, and reduce the risk of injury.

Easy Effort: Easy pace/effort is considered at or slightly above what you can maintain a conversation, 65-75% of maximum heart rate, and 6-7 on the Perceived Effort scale.

Moderate Effort: Moderate pace/effort is where you can hear your breathing, but you are not breathing hard, 75-80% of maximum heart rate, and 7-8 on the Perceived Effort scale.

Long Run Effort: The key to half marathon training is the long run, progressively increasing in distance each weekend. The long run should be done at a pace/effort that you can easily maintain a conversation throughout the run. Work on running with an even pace/effort from start to finish of the long run.

Speed Work: Warm-up with 5-15 minutes of running at an easy pace. Then, complete the appropriate speed workout for the day. These workouts should be at a hard effort, 90-95% of maximum heart rate, 8+ Perceived Effort. You should be able to hear yourself breathing hard. It is very important to make sure your easy recovery effort between repeats is truly easy. Running to fast during the recovery can have a negative impact on your performance during these workouts. Walk for recovery if you need to.

Tempo Run: This is a continuous run with a buildup in the middle to near 10-K race pace. Begin with 10-20 minutes of easy running, then accelerate gradually for 20-30 minutes in the middle of the run, then cool-down with 5-10 minutes of easy run at the end. Tempo runs are not about how long (in time) or how far you run, they can be run hard or moderate. These workouts will build your lactate threshold and endurance, and boost your confidence in your abilities.

3/1 Long Run: A 3/1 run is one in which you run the first three-fourths of the distance at a comfortable long run pace, then accelerate to near race pace over the last one quarter of the workout. You should finish these long runs feel refreshed, but not overly fatigued.

Racing: Consider adding a 5K Race, 10K Race, and 15K Race. These races will allow you to familiarize yourself more with running in a structured event. If you can’t find a race during those weeks, feel free to modify the schedule around what races are available.

Adaptability: Don’t be afraid to move the workouts from day to day and week to week. This training plan is merely a guide to help you complete a half marathon. Be consistent with your training, and the overall details won’t matter. Listen to your body and progress as your fitness allows you to progress.

Training Plan Structure

The following Half Marathon Advanced schedule is only a guide. Feel free to make minor modifications to suit your work and family schedule. You will find more information on half marathon training in the downloadable file and on Final Surge.
Above is a preview of a training plan intended to serve as an educational tool and not to prescribe specific actions for any specific individual. The training plan preview does not include a complete explanation of what should be done on each training day. Before beginning, this or any other fitness program, be sure to consult with your physician or other health care provider to determine if the program is right for you or if there are any health concerns to be aware of.