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first-time half marathon prep

A 12-week structured running and strength program designed to take a novice runner to their first half marathon finish.

Static โ€” this skill doesn't adapt to your week.

Tags: running, endurance, half-marathon, novice, periodization

Tools used

Procedure

Procedure

  1. Assess Baseline & Zones

    • Verify the user can comfortably run/walk 2โ€“3 miles.
    • Use compute_hr_zones to establish "Zone 2" (Conversational Pace) for the 80/20 intensity rule.
    • Use create_note to record the goal race date and target "finish-only" focus.
  2. Initialize Periodized Schedule

    • Use create_week to build out the 12-week structure.
    • Base Phase (Weeks 1-4): Focus on habit formation and building to a 4-mile long run.
    • Build Phase (Weeks 5-8): Focus on fueling/hydration and building to a 7.5-mile long run.
    • Peak & Taper (Weeks 9-12): Focus on peak mileage (11 miles in Week 10) and the taper (Week 11).
  3. Program Weekly Workouts

    • Use create_workout for each week based on the research brief:
      • Tuesday/Thursday: Easy Runs (Zone 2). Start at 2 miles; progress to 4 miles.
      • Wednesday: Strength Training. Add exercises like Goblet Squats, Romanian Deadlifts, and Planks via add_exercise.
      • Saturday: Long Run (Endurance). Start at 3 miles; peak at 11 miles in Week 10.
      • Monday/Friday/Sunday: Schedule Rest, Cross-Training, or Active Recovery.
  4. Apply Deload Logic

    • For Weeks 4 and 8, reduce total mileage and intensity by 10โ€“20% compared to the previous week using update_workout.
    • Set the Saturday Long Run to 3 miles (Week 4) and 4 miles (Week 8).
  5. Insert Coaching Cues

    • Use create_note or workout descriptions to provide technical cues:
      • Posture: "Run tall; imagine a string pulling the crown of your head upward."
      • Footstrike: "Land under your center of mass; avoid overstriding."
      • Cadence: "Short, quick steps to reduce joint impact."
      • Effort: "Conversational pace; you should be able to speak in full sentences."
  6. Taper & Race Integration

    • Week 11 (Taper): Drop volume significantly (6-mile long run) while maintaining some intensity.
    • Week 12 (Race): Schedule 2-mile easy runs on Tuesday/Thursday and the 13.1-mile goal event on Saturday.