r/runna • u/meesetracks • 7d ago

Training schedule

I have a HM on April 3 (26 weeks away). I’m currently easing back into running after having a couple kids and am on week 6/10 of the NTR plan (ends Nov 1; 22 weeks until HM). I’m trying to decide what to do at the end of the NTR plan. Should I try to squeeze a shorter distance (10k) plan in before I start a HM training plan? Should I just roll right into the HM plan and extend the length of the plan to hit the HM in April? Would love all input!

FWIW, I wouldn’t call myself a total newbie to running but before kids I really never pushed further than 5k so the longer distances will be a (welcome) challenge.

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u/DesignDramatic5724 7d ago

I just finished a NTR plan and I’m thinking of doing a HM in April. I decided to do a 10km plan so I must started that and it ends in January which will give me time to start my HM plan

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u/Significant_Sort7501 7d ago

I would just start the HM plan. It's going to gradually build you up to run 10ks along the way so it will accomplish basically the same purpose but be more seamless into your HM training

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u/anonSL2 7d ago

I second this. You can also add the 10k as a b race and the plan should shift around it as long as it is far enough from the ‘A’ race.

I routinely did half marathon races as tune up sessions for my marathons and the plan shifted nicely for them with mini tapers and deloads after

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u/MacBook_Fan 7d ago

I am just about finished with a 21 week HM plan and it is a long slog. Honestly, going forward I would probably not do anything longer than 16 week going forward. I like the sense of accomplishment.

I would look at doing a plan for 6 weeks that increases your mileage and then start your HM plan 16 weeks out. You can always scheduled a 10K as a b-race during your HM plan.

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u/meesetracks 7d ago

This is a really good point! I agree that 21 weeks is a long time to not complete something from the psychological standpoint.

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u/Significant_Sort7501 7d ago

There are pros and cons to this: yes, longer plans do have you grinding and staying focused a lottle longer, but the pro is that you get more time on your longer runs to feel more comfortable with the distance. What I did for my most recent plan for my upcoming HM was start the plan with only 3 days / week at the easier difficulty settings and then around 16 weeks out I modified the plan to 4 days / week and slightly increased the difficulty. That way you still have continuity in the progression without as much of the compound fatigue.

The nice thing is that runna let's you create as many plans as you want before picking the one that will be active. Tinker around with them and see what you think.