Really enjoying running, huh? Ready to take on your first half marathon too? Well, you've come to the right place. Distance running is as natural to me as drinking coffee...water, I meant water. I'm excited you're ready to accomplish this goal and with this training plan, you'll be able to fly across the finish line in great condition. Read on to learn how to train for a half marathon.

13.1 is a Go!

The half marathon is the perfect distance: 13.1 miles is long enough to feel like you can master any distance and short enough that you can train your body through it in no time. The key to running any distance is getting your body accustomed to running for long periods of time. Mind over matter is also a major role in distance running. An average training plan for a half marathon is anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks. For first-timers, you'll run distance starting from 9 miles to 24 miles per week. More advanced runners will do 30-50 miles per week; this is for those who are running for time. But for our sake, this plan is for beginners who are just looking to get from the start to the finish in one piece.

This is your 12-week Beginner Half Marathon Training Plan:

Week 1

Monday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Tuesday: Cross Train or REST

Wednesday: 3 Mile Easy Run

Thursday: REST

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 4 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 9 Miles

Week 2

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 3 Mile Easy Run

Friday: REST

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 5 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 10 Miles

Week 3

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 4 Mile Easy Run

Friday: REST

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 5 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 11 Miles

Week 4

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 5 Mile Easy Run

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 6 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 13 Miles

Week 5

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 3 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 6 Miles Continuous Hills

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 7 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 16 Miles

Week 6

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 6 Miles Fast Pace

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 6 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 14 Miles

Week 7

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 4 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 6 Miles Continuous Hills

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 6 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 16 Miles

Week 8

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 7 Miles Fast Pace

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 7 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 16 Miles

Week 9

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 7 Miles Continuous Hills

Friday: 2 Easy Run

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 10 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 21 Miles

Week 10

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 3 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 7 Miles Fast Pace

Friday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 10 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 22 Miles

Week 11

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 7 Miles Fast Pace

Friday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: 9 Mile Long Run

Weekly Total: 20 Miles

Week 12

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 2 Mile Easy Run

Wednesday: Cross Train or REST

Thursday: 5 Miles Fast Pace

Friday: Cross Train or REST

Saturday: Cross Train or REST

Sunday: RACE DAY!

Weekly Total: 20.1 Miles

Reading the Plan

Rest days: Crucial time to adapt to training sessions and recovery periods.

Easy Runs: Keep them at a comfortable pace. You should finish these runs with enough energy to want to run more. These help build aerobic fitness and muscular strength.

Cross Train: This includes swimming, cycling, walking, rowing or low-impact training. You can do these exercises for 30 minutes.

Long Runs: Steady pace at a conversational pace (this means you'd be able to talk to someone while you're running.)

Continuous Hills: Build leg strength and lung power. Incorporate 60 seconds to climb hills.

Fast Pace: 10-20 seconds faster than your average Easy Run pace.