Pre-Base Prep (8 weeks) | $9
This 8-week plan will help ease you back into regular training by gradually moving you from your off-season rest period toward the beginning of base training. The plan includes a strength training program. It assigns volume based on training hours and intensity based on heart rate training zones. The plan provides instructions and workouts to determine your individualized training zones, so no prior knowledge is needed. By the end of the 8 weeks, you will ready to start the 20-week Base Training plan (see below).
Base Training (20 weeks) + Race Taper (4 weeks) | $69
This plan provides a complete blueprint to help runners develop their endurance base in preparation for a target event in the 20K to 50K range. Although aimed at trail runners, it can equally be used to train for half marathons and marathons on the road. It assigns volume based on training hours and intensity based on heart rate training zones. The plan provides instructions and workouts to determine your individualized training zones, so no prior knowledge is needed.
The training adheres to the philosophy of building the aerobic base while simultaneously emphasizing the proper neuromuscular patterns needed to prepare the runner for higher intensity training later in the season. The plan also integrates a complete strength training program, moving from a general strength phase to a maximum strength phase to a muscular endurance phase.
The plan consists of five 4-week base training blocks that progressively build volume following a 3-up/1-down periodization schedule. The fourth week of each training block is dedicated to recovery and field tests. Runners who prefer a 2-up/1-down periodization schedule can easily adapt the plan by removing the second week of each 4-week training block for a 15-week base training program.
By the end of the 20-week base training progression, many runners will be ready to taper for their target event—and a 4-week tapering block is included for them. Other runners will be ready to move into a higher intensity build phase before their target event. For them, a separate 8-week Event Training Plan is available that picks up where the 20-week base training progression ends. Still others may choose to repeat some of the base training blocks if they have a longer season that requires more base training.
The plan—like any training plan—represents an initial draft, rather than a final document set in stone. You will write the final version over the coming months as you glean feedback from your training each week and adapt your training to your specific situation and goals. Depending upon the length of your target event, for example, you may wish to adjust up or down the duration of your weekly long run. Depending upon how much training you have been doing, you may wish to adjust up or down the starting week’s volume and progress accordingly. With that in mind, the plan provides guidelines each week on how to adjust the volume in relation to your previous week’s volume. After all, no matter where you want to go, you must start from where you are.
Event Training (8 weeks) | $49
This plan helps runners with a well-established aerobic base build intensity and taper for their target event. It builds upon the previous plan in this series, the 20-week Base Training plan. Use this plan to build upon your aerobic base over the final 6 to 8 weeks before your A-priority race, sharpening your fitness with anaerobic VO2max and muscular endurance training.
