The experienced half marathon training plan is prepared by veteran marathon runner Neil Cusack (previous winner of Boston Marathon and Dublin City Marathon) this 9 week training programme covers 50 – 60 miles per week and is aimed at runners who have a very strong level of fitness and have already completed several half marathons. As part of this training session it is recommended that you pick out a 5km or 10km race during this 9 week period and ease down slightly in the training for two days before the race. The Race will replace a Fartlek session that week.

This training plan incorporates one Fartlek session per week. Fartlek is a Sweedish type of speed work. In this plan the total distance of the Fartlek sessions is 8 miles. If you can do the session on grass all the better. Start off the first mile and a half warming up with easy running and then do 2 1/2 mins (3/4 speed), 2 1/2 min jogging, 3 mins 3/4 speed, 3 mins jogging, 3 1/2 mins (3/4 speed) 3 1/2 mins jogging. Then work back down the scale again finishing with 1 1/2 mile warm down.