80/20 Running
Half Marathon Training Plan
Fifteen weeks that get you to your half marathon start line fitter and fresher than high-intensity cramming ever will. Roughly 80 percent of your running sits at low intensity — the balance elite runners actually train with — so the 20 percent that is hard genuinely counts. Four levels run from first-timer to 7-runs-a-week competitor.
- Weekly average
- 4:45
- Workouts / week
- 5–6
15 weeks · 2026 edition
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Do the math
One plan, or all of them
This plan costs $39.95 one-time on TrainingPeaks, and it trains you for one race. Team 80/20 Gold is $16.58/month when paid annually for every plan we make — plus TrainingPeaks Premium and Mind of Matt coaching. Race more than once a year and the membership isn’t a splurge; it’s the cheaper way to train.
Questions
Plan FAQ
How long is the Half Marathon plan?
The Half Marathon plan is 15 weeks long. It comes in 4 levels, Level 0 through Level 3, so choose the volume tier you can sustain. Pricing starts at $39.95 on TrainingPeaks, or it's included with Team 80/20.
What does 80/20 running mean?
Roughly 80 percent of your weekly running time at low intensity and about 20 percent at moderate to high intensity. It's the intensity balance observed in elite endurance athletes across sports, and it works because easy running builds aerobic fitness while leaving you fresh enough to make the hard 20 percent genuinely hard.
Which level should I choose?
Levels are volume tiers. Level 0 is for first-timers or low-mileage runners, Level 1 for runners training moderately, Level 2 for experienced runners with solid weekly mileage, and Level 3 for high-volume competitive runners. When in doubt, choose the level matching what you've sustained recently — not what you aspire to.
Should I train by heart rate, pace, or power?
Whichever you can measure reliably and will actually follow. Heart rate is the most accessible; pace works well on flat, measured routes; running power responds instantly on hills where pace misleads. The plan structure is identical across versions — only the intensity targets differ.
How is the plan delivered?
Through TrainingPeaks. After purchase you apply the plan to your TrainingPeaks calendar, and every workout appears with its structure and intensity targets. Workouts sync to most watches and head units, and your completed sessions are scored against the plan automatically.
Is this plan included in a Team 80/20 membership?
Yes. Team 80/20 is $16.58/month when paid annually and includes every 80/20 training plan, TrainingPeaks Premium, and Mind of Matt coaching. If you expect to use more than one plan, the membership costs less than buying plans individually.
Athletes on the method
What 80/20 runners say
“Kudos and appreciation to your training programs as I set a new 1/2 marathon PB at 1:28:20 (6:13 off my previous best). My cycling FTP is now just short of 300W (from 230W) after starting training with your programs around 8 months ago. I also took 30 minutes off my 70.3 personal best time with a 4:56, while balancing a large family and professional commitments.”

Jeremy Biggelaar
Half Marathon
“I trained with the 80/20 half marathon plan, and did a personal best! I felt good after! It made me think about what it could do for me for a marathon or beyond. It taught me so much about how to pace myself and be more in tune with my body when I ran. I cannot recommend this training enough. It made me believe that Matt Fitzgerald and David Warden truly know how to train us to be better athletes.”

Lai Flushing
Half Marathon
“I have started to run after few years off and the 80/20 plan allowed me to get fit and achieve my first half marathon in Verona in no time! What I love most is that following a clear and defined plan boosts my motivation because I can see the progress I am making.”

Marco Saraceno
Half Marathon
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