You probably won’t find any elite runners who’ve trained with his programs, but I bet you have one or more friends who have! His plans are incredibly popular as a starting point for figuring out mileage and how to put together a decent marathon plan. Can access paid version with slightly more details and adjustments via Hal’s App.He does say strength training is important, but it tends to only appear in base training plans and no specific workouts.Recommendations to do some runs at goal race pace.Speed workouts not specifically included in Novice or Intermediate plans.4 days of running Novice and 5 Intermediate.These are the key concepts of the Hal Higdon Method for half marathon and marathon training: In fact, Higdon even has a Dopey Challenge training plan which is a really great tool! I see too many runDisney runners with super low mileage or following some of the less than ideal recommendations to only run 3 miles during the weekday and then suddenly 26 on the weekend.Ĭonsider this your Cliff Notes version of Hal Higdon running plans overall. While he does include more advanced training plans, I think the ones that shine are for the newer runner. In other words, my approach in many ways is similar! As a running coach I’m focused on that middle of the pack to back of the pack runner that’s nervous, wants to improve, but has a life. No gimmicks, just solid training plans that are easy for the majority of new and intermediate runners to follow without injury. I’m certainly drawn to his more simplistic and no-nonsense style of training. Hal Higdon was first a very successful runner who competed in 8 Olympic trials, then a successful writer for Runner’s World and multi-time author starting in 1966 and has now been a well respected running coach for many decades. In contrast to the 3 day a week style of the FIRST marathon training method or the high mileage, high intensity of Hanson Method today we are exploring the Hal Higdon Marathon Training Plans which feel like a great moderate way for most folks to jump in. These training plans follow a pretty standard progression of workouts and utilize the 80/20 method varied by runner experience. Since Hal Higdon provides one of the most robust number of free marathon plans, it’s a must discuss. As a running coach, I’m often asked about the best marathon training plan and of course there’s a LOT that goes in to that answer.

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