As runners, we’re all the time chasing the subsequent massive aim. It would begin with merely crossing the end line of your first half marathon, then it’s breaking the two-hour mark, and earlier than you understand it, you’re eyeing 1:45 half marathon coaching plan and past. The excellent news is we’ve received a free one to assist information you!

Whether or not you’re chasing a 1:45 half marathon for the primary time or giving it one other shot, the important thing to getting there’s practising your aim tempo. To hit that 1:45 end, you’ll have to common an 8:00/mile. Which will sound intimidating, however don’t fear with the precise coaching (and a very good day!) it’s completely doable!
It’s all about the way you steadily construct up practising your aim race tempo as the large day will get nearer. And in case you’re not too certain about how to do that, maintain studying we’ve received you coated.
Tread Evenly Podcast Co-Host, Coach Laura Norris, designed this 12-week coaching plan to push exterior your consolation zone and sort out exercises to get you race prepared. We imagine that it is a nice match for runners with a number of years of expertise underneath their sneakers. BUT take note you’ll wish to have a strong base constructed earlier than leaping into the 1:45 half marathon coaching plan.
In fact, in case you’re in search of one thing extra customized… we now have 1:1 teaching spots out there!
This plan will get you bodily ready, however chasing a aim like this additionally takes some psychological grit. Operating 13.1 miles means spending lots of time in your head, so use these 12 weeks to construct each your bodily endurance and psychological energy.
The challenges will come, however with the precise mindset, you’ll be able to sort out them head-on.
Who’s This 1:45 Half Marathon Coaching Plan For?
This plan is greatest fitted to extra superior runners, beginning with a 30 mile week and constructing from there.
A 1:45 half marathon requires a aim tempo averaging 8:00 mile, so when you have 12 weeks to organize, it’s necessary to set a aim that feels difficult however reasonable for the place you’re beginning.
We’ve damaged out what you possibly can anticipate from every section of the coaching plan beneath!
In case you’re a newbie or want a little bit extra apply on the distance, try our different free Half Marathon coaching plans:
Coaching for a half marathon isn’t just about protecting 13.1 miles (21 kilometers), it’s about every little thing from carrying the precise gear to testing your fueling technique and strengthening your mindset.
You’ve set an enormous aim for your self, now could be the time to belief the method and get comfy with being uncomfortable.
As soon as race day rolls round, you’ll really feel assured and ready to tackle regardless of the day has in retailer.
1:45 Half Marathon Coaching Plan Breakdown
Over 12 weeks, this plan will make it easier to develop the pace and endurance that you simply’ll have to energy via race day. It consists of a mixture of straightforward runs, lengthy runs, and pace exercises like tempo, lactate threshold runs, and strides.
When beginning this plan you must be capable to comfortably run 8-9 miles for a long term and a complete of 25-30 miles per week.
In case your race goes to have any elevation adjustments, just be sure you’re including related routes to your coaching so that you simply get comfy tackling the uphills and downhills, particularly at race day effort.
👉Get our free downloadable 1:45 half marathon plan and begin utilizing to coach in your race!
Weeks 1-4 (Basis)
Despite the fact that you’re coming into this plan with a strong base, the very last thing you need is to go too exhausting too quickly and peak early. We all know you’re excited to get began however ease into issues and construct the precise means.
The primary few weeks are going to concentrate on shorter intervals and lactate threshold exercises. This a part of coaching units the muse, so when it’s time to push more durable, your physique is prepared.
Operating barely sooner lactate threshold exercises will make it easier to to develop the energy that you simply’ll want for these longer, race particular exercises afterward.
Simply glancing on the plan, it might not appear to be it however there are scheduled cutback weeks. It is likely to be tempting to push via however don’t skip them, and positively don’t add additional exercises. They’re there for a cause in order that your physique can take up coaching, get better, and begin the subsequent week feeling recent.
Weeks 5-8 (Energy + Velocity Growth)
That is the place the actual enjoyable begins and the exercises begin to actually push you exterior of your consolation zone. The straightforward “honeymoon section” is over. Now it’s time to dig in and begin getting a really feel for race day effort.
Two key exercises will begin exhibiting up often, aim tempo and significant velocity intervals. We promise they’re not as scary as they sound!
Important velocity exercises are run at a tempo barely sooner than threshold however nonetheless really feel clean and managed. They assist construct endurance and train your physique easy methods to use power extra effectively.
For a 1:45 half marathon, that is enormous. Operating at this effort teaches your physique to have the ability to maintain your aim tempo longer with out beginning to hit the notorious wall. Every exercise builds on the subsequent in order that feeling of being comfortably uncomfortable will get a little bit extra manageable.
Because you’ve run the space earlier than, now could be the time to construction 13 and 14 mile runs to imitate the bodily and psychological hurdles you’ll face on race day.
That is my favourite a part of the coaching plan, development runs and aim tempo intervals! These exercises train you easy methods to choose up the tempo at totally different factors, so when it’s time to push, your physique is aware of precisely what to do.
This plan’s a number of lengthy runs at 13 and 14 miles are meant for extra superior runners. We advocate modifying these exercises in case you haven’t raced this distance earlier than.
Don’t neglect that your abdomen reacts otherwise when taking gasoline at a simple vs sooner tempo, so practising now helps keep away from any race day surprises. You’re going for an enormous aim, so there’s no time to waste operating off track for a porta-potty!
Checkout easy methods to gasoline a half marathon in case you aren’t certain the place to begin!
Weeks 9-10 (Peak + Race Particular Coaching)
We’re not going to sugarcoat it, peak weeks are the hardest a part of any coaching cycle.
As you get nearer to chasing that 1:45 aim, that is the time to high-quality tune your race day plan. This week consists of not simply your traditional pace exercise but in addition a long term exercise the place you’ll apply your aim tempo one final time.
Deal with this remaining long term identical to race day. Which means dialing in your fueling earlier than, throughout, and after so there aren’t any surprises when it actually counts.
Take heed to your physique and in case you’re feeling extra fatigued than regular prioritize energetic restoration days instead of a exercise. Positive this is a vital section of coaching however in case you push your self previous its breaking level, you’re placing your race day efficiency in jeopardy.
Weeks 11-12 (Taper + Race Week)
Velocity exercises throughout the taper? Yep, they nonetheless have a spot in your coaching. However don’t fear, they aren’t going to be these tremendous hard-pushing-the-limits sort such as you did earlier within the plan. As an alternative, they’re focusing in your aim tempo so that you simply carry on practising.
Tapering is all about discovering that candy spot in coaching the place your general mileage decreases however you retain simply sufficient depth to remain sharp. In case you reduce an excessive amount of, there’s an opportunity that your legs will begin to really feel sluggish or heavy.
Plus having a little bit little bit of pace helps to stop the taper crazies!
In case you’re in search of one thing that’s extra customized to your particular person targets, don’t neglect you possibly can all the time attain out to us for 1:1 teaching!!
What Ought to You Do for Energy Coaching on This Plan?
Energy coaching is a vital a part of any coaching plan- regardless of the space. Energy coaching will scale back the chance of damage, enhance your general efficiency, and make it easier to keep higher operating kind.
Don’t make it tremendous sophisticated and assume that it’s good to spend hours on the health club.
Hold it easy with 20-Half-hour periods specializing in full physique exercises with body weight, resistance bands/weights or a mixture will just do high-quality. (In fact, we additionally received’t complain in case you can squeeze in additional with out overdoing it.)
For the primary 8 weeks, you’ll have two energy coaching days, decrease physique after which higher physique and core. As race day will get nearer, the main focus shifts to high-quality tuning your operating.
Within the remaining 4 weeks, you’ll swap to at least one energy session, with the second day focusing extra on core and mobility to maintain you feeling robust and able to run your greatest.
Once more, like with pace exercises, it would be best to maintain your decrease physique exercise a number of days aside out of your long term so that you simply’re not operating on tremendous fatigued legs.
If you attain half marathon taper weeks the main focus will shift to core workouts and mobility that will help you put together for race day.
What About Relaxation Days?
Scheduled cutback weeks are intentional as a result of, with out that restoration, you might be simply piling on the stress and never offering time in your muscle groups, joints, and tendons to truly take up the work and get stronger.
There may be additionally 1 deliberate relaxation day every week, you possibly can transfer it round however don’t skip it.
As you undergo coaching, hearken to your physique and in case you’re feeling extra drained than traditional, take an additional relaxation day. It’s not price it to push via simply to examine one thing off of your record.
Begin to look ahead to your relaxation days and never dread them. Bear in mind that you may’t give it your all in a exercise and even on race day in case you’re continually pushing on empty.
Able to get began?
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There may be simply SO far more that we may let you know to prepare for to run a 1:45 half marathon.
We’ve really damaged it down into a number of articles, so save this web page and are available again as you progress via phases to get the small print.
All proper, time to get coaching!! Bear in mind we’re right here for extra ideas or for that customized teaching to hit your massive targets.