Beginner Half marathon plan
13 weeks, 4 sessions a week, up to 33 km and a 1h29 long run at the peak. Here is the structure Endu generates for a runner at beginner level preparing a Half marathon. Volume, long run and intensity change with the declared level.
- weeks
- 13
- sessions
- 49
- sessions / week
- 4
- peak week
- 3.9 h
Plan structure
Periodised in phases: build the base, move to race-specific work, then taper before the race.
- General preparationWeeks 1–2 · 2 wk
- BaseWeeks 3–5 · 3 wk
- BuildWeeks 6–7 · 2 wk
- SpecificWeeks 8–10 · 3 wk
- TaperWeeks 11–12 · 2 wk
- Race weekWeeks 13–13 · 1 wk
Volume progression
Week by week: lighter recovery weeks are built in to absorb the load.
| Wk | Phase | Hours | km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General preparation | 2.1 h | 18 |
| 2 | General preparation | 2.2 h | 18 |
| 3 | Baserecovery | 1.7 h | 14 |
| 4 | Base | 2.5 h | 21 |
| 5 | Base | 2.7 h | 22 |
| 6 | Build | 3 h | 25 |
| 7 | Buildrecovery | 2.3 h | 19 |
| 8 | Specific | 3.3 h | 27 |
| 9 | Specific | 3.6 h | 30 |
| 10 | Specific | 3.9 h | 33 |
| 11 | Taper | 2.8 h | 23 |
| 12 | Taper | 2.2 h | 18 |
| 13 | Race week | 1.9 h | 16 |
Sample week — week 8 (Specific)
Real sessions from the plan with their targets. Each session is detailed step by step, and can be sent to a Garmin or COROS watch.
- MondayEasy34 min easy34 min · 4.6 km
- TuesdayVery hard8 × 400 m at MAS1 min 30 s jog recovery53 min · 8.2 km
- WednesdayEasy34 min easy34 min · 4.6 km
- SundayEasyLong run 1 h 141 h 14 · 10 km
Example generated for a beginner-level profile (MAS 12.5 km/h, 4 days available per week). Your plan will depend on your level, availability and feedback.
This plan’s check-up
Pass
A 13-week build (recommended minimum: 8); a longest run never more than 10% above the previous month’s; volume rising at most 10% from one week to the next; 93% of the time at easy effort; the longest session 3 weeks before the race; a taper cutting volume by 51% in race week.
1 worth knowing · 17 checks passed
Remarks
Strength training — No strength session.
The 17 checks passed, in detail
Length of the build — 13 weeks: enough for this race (recommended minimum: 8).
Sessions per week — 4 sessions a week: the minimum for this race is met.
Volume progression — Running volume rises at most 10% from one week to the next (a signal appears beyond 20%).
Long run increase — Each week, the longest run is at most 10% longer than the longest of the previous month (benchmark: 10%).
Lighter weeks — A lighter week comes back regularly (weeks 3, 7, 11).
Weight of the long run — The long run keeps a reasonable share of the week.
Intensity distribution — About 93% of the time at easy effort: the most common distribution among trained endurance athletes.
Demanding sessions — No more than 1 demanding session(s) a week: suited to the level.
Hard days back to back — Demanding sessions are separated by easy days.
Rest days — At least one rest day a week.
Easy run pace — Easy runs are truly easy (slower than 6:51/km).
Race-specific work — 5 race-specific sessions in the last block.
Timing of the longest session — The longest session falls 3 weeks before the race: the right time.
Taper — Volume drops 51% in race week.
Intensity during the taper — Short race-pace efforts remain in the last two weeks.
Frequency during the taper — The number of sessions stays close to usual (93%).
A beginner’s first month — No very intense session in the first four weeks.
Endu runs its own plans through the plan check open to everyone: same public rules, same thresholds, same sources. The rules and their sources, and a check of your own plan.
Your plan, not a template athlete's
This plan is generated for an athlete at beginner level with 4 days available per week. Yours will be calibrated on your MAS, your available days and your feedback after every session. 3 minutes. 14-day trial, cancel anytime.
Create my plan for Half marathonFrequently asked questions
- Half marathon, beginner level: how many weeks of preparation?
- For an athlete at beginner level, Endu builds a 13-week preparation. If your race is closer, the plan compresses phases while keeping the taper; if it's further away, it lengthens the preparation, and when the gap is large the preparation starts right away, gently and at your current volume, before building up.
- Is this plan well built?
- Pass at Endu’s plan check, the same as for any plan: 17 of 17 checks passed. A 13-week build (recommended minimum: 8); a longest run never more than 10% above the previous month’s; volume rising at most 10% from one week to the next; 93% of the time at easy effort; the longest session 3 weeks before the race; a taper cutting volume by 51% in race week. The rules and their sources are public on endu.fr/en/controle-technique.
- How many sessions per week?
- This example has 4 sessions per week. You choose 3 to 7 training days and the exact days (e.g. Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun): the plan sticks to them.
- Can I follow sessions on my watch?
- Yes, on Garmin and COROS. On Garmin, the Endu app (Connect IQ Store) shows today’s session and starts it as a guided workout. On COROS, link your account from your profile: your running, trail and cycling sessions land in the watch calendar. Other brands are not supported yet.
- How much does it cost?
- 14-day free trial, then €7.99/month with no commitment or €59.88/year (€4.99/month). Unlimited objectives and sports.