Runner's Edge Half Marathon – Beginner

About the plan

A 16-week plan based on the Runner's Edge methodology for beginner runners preparing for their first half marathon, or for athletes who prefer a lower-volume program with only 4 training days per week. The plan takes a unique approach to developing threshold: instead of starting with continuous threshold blocks, it uses 1-mile (1.6 km) repeats at threshold pace with recovery between them, teaching the body to sustain the target pace over progressively longer distances. Long runs evolve from simple easy runs to sessions with extended blocks of long-run pace (up to 50 min) at the end — specifically preparing you for the final miles of the half marathon. The peak phase includes a 10K race (week 15) as a tune-up and final pace calibration.