8-Week Half Marathon Training Plan
This 8-week half marathon training plan is a compact preparation cycle. It jumps quickly into 1-hour runs and peaks at a 2-hour long run in week 6, requiring a solid pre-existing aerobic foundation.
Who Is This Plan For?
Designed for individuals who already run a few times a week for 30-40 minutes and need a structured plan to tackle a half marathon that is only 2 months away.
What to Expect
Establish the Base
Weeks 1-2Ramping up your weekly time on feet quickly to prepare for longer efforts.
Build Endurance
Weeks 3-5Extending the weekend long run steadily up to roughly 100 minutes.
Peak and Taper
Weeks 6-8Hitting your longest 2-hour run before stepping back volume for a strong race day.
Upgrade to Adaptive Plan
The same plan, but it learns from you. After each workout, tell us how it felt — and your plan adjusts automatically for next week.
Training Schedule
8-week progressive plan with recovery weeks built in
Tips for Success
- ✓Consistency is key in short cycles. Try not to miss the mid-week runs.
- ✓Practice your pre-race breakfast before the long runs in weeks 4 and 5.
- ✓Keep the easy runs strictly easy to ensure you recover fast enough for the next workout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an 8-week half marathon training plan enough time?
Yes, an 8-week half marathon training plan is entirely adequate if you already run semi-regularly (meaning you can run 3 miles without stopping). It provides just enough time to extend that baseline endurance to 13.1 miles.
How long is the longest run?
The plan builds up to a peak run of 120 minutes (2 hours) exactly two weeks before the race, which is sufficient time on feet to cover a half marathon.