Half Marathon Plan Intermediate - L3
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the training plans in miles or kilometers?
Are the training plans in miles or kilometers?
We have written the training plans in both miles and kms, both of which are included in the PDF file so you can refer to whichever one suits you.
The pace charts are also in miles and km's too.
How will I receive my plan?
How will I receive my plan?
You will receive an email with a link to download your plan straight after purchase.
You can also click a link on the checkout success page.
This will download the PDF file to your computer, tablet or phone.
What format do the training plans come in?
What format do the training plans come in?
The plans are a downloadable PDF file which you can view on any device or print off.
You will be emailed the link to download your plan.
Please note the plan can only be downloaded a maximum of 5 times.
I feel I am in between two training plans, which one should I go for?
I feel I am in between two training plans, which one should I go for?
Each plan gives the number of days of training per week, so we’d advise going for the one which best fits in with your current lifestyle and commitments.
Also consider the number of miles or km's for the first week and peak week and compare that figure to where you are currently.
The best success will come from following a plan that is achievable given your lifestyle and current fitness.
Customer Reviews
Good solid program. Tough at times sticking to the schedule. I was upping my effort in a bid to PB before I'm 50. Wasn't in best shape to start lacking endurance but the different sessions kept me gaining. Mixed it up with sessions offroad and combined strides into hill sprints. Efforts on the long runs really gave a good idea of a realistic pace . Thoroughly enjoyed the hard work and managing to fit it in with life. Cheers Ben. 🍻 Pb 1.35.22
I used this plan to take on my first half marathon in October 2024.
The plan was easy to follow and increased the weekly distances in a manageable way (and the long runs).
I set myself a challenging goal (for me anyway) of going sub 1:40 and managed to better this on the day.
At times it was hard when some runs didn't go quite to plan, but just stick at it.
I would definitely recommend and I can see myself using the other plans in the future.
I already achieved a sub 1:40 using this plan at Ipswich Half marathon on 22nd Sept (1:37:50). I also had Chelmsford Half marathon planned for 13th Oct so I repeated the last 3 weeks of the plan and managed to get another 2 min 3 sec PB - Official time 1:35:47. Absolutely buzzing, such a practical training plan and cannot recommend it enough, the reason why it works is the flexibility and various pacing offers.
Once again I will add that I have my own hill session that I do regularly, once a week and coupled with this plan, I was able to get over 5 mins shaved from my original previous pb time of 1:40:27 in January this year. Looking forward to getting on the 10k plan now.
I bought the L3 HM plan a month before my 25k trail race. This training plan, at the very least, gave me a schedule to stick to that helped me run on the days I didn't want to.
I finished the 25k with a 2:30 time (the hills were outrageous), but I placed 8th overall so I was happy with the results.
Next goal is to run a proper HM with this training plan and aim for 1:45.
This is by far the best plan I have used. I started running April 2023, and I’ve used Runna app mostly. This year I used Pfitzinger’s book to build my base and then went straight to Ben’s plan for HM from 1st July. I had only done two halves before this (PB - 1:40:27) and was aiming for sub 1:40. This plan helped me get this today, I felt strong and I got 1:37:50. I did add one day of hill training in the last 5 weeks before the race today. The plan is easy to follow and detailed enough with flexibility to go faster if you feel you are primed. Highly recommend this plan and I will be using the marathon one next year. Cheers Ben.
Easy to follow and a great and detailed schedule. I hope it gets me over the finish line
I had such a great time completing this running plan and it enabled me to nab a 4min PB in the half-marathon. Great mix of easy runs and harder sessions. Thanks to this plan I am fitter than I have ever been and am now eyeing off my first marathon.
Thanks Ben (and Sarah and Ben’s Mum) for all the hard work you put in to help average runners like myself achieve.
James C
Couldn’t be happier with Ben’s L3 Intermediate Half Marathon plan! Coming into this training block my previous PB was 1:55 which I wanted to drop below 1:45 but after following this plan I smashed my original goal finishing in 1:32 which is unbelievable. The plan is well made and easy to follow and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to improve their PB. Thanks Ben!
Ran Cambridge half on Sunday and trained on the L3 Intermediate and achieved my 1:40 goal. Thanks so much. I was stuck on a 1:42 time for a long time and this plan helped him achieve my PB.
Ben Parkes was my first YouTube mentor for distance running. I did my first marathon with beginner plan for free. I’m happy to pay a small fee for this 1/2 marathon plan. I takes all the guesswork and stress out of it for me. I’ve printed it out to guide me daily. Thanks!
Customer Reviews
Good solid program. Tough at times sticking to the schedule. I was upping my effort in a bid to PB before I'm 50. Wasn't in best shape to start lacking endurance but the different sessions kept me gaining. Mixed it up with sessions offroad and combined strides into hill sprints. Efforts on the long runs really gave a good idea of a realistic pace . Thoroughly enjoyed the hard work and managing to fit it in with life. Cheers Ben. 🍻 Pb 1.35.22
I used this plan to take on my first half marathon in October 2024.
The plan was easy to follow and increased the weekly distances in a manageable way (and the long runs).
I set myself a challenging goal (for me anyway) of going sub 1:40 and managed to better this on the day.
At times it was hard when some runs didn't go quite to plan, but just stick at it.
I would definitely recommend and I can see myself using the other plans in the future.
I already achieved a sub 1:40 using this plan at Ipswich Half marathon on 22nd Sept (1:37:50). I also had Chelmsford Half marathon planned for 13th Oct so I repeated the last 3 weeks of the plan and managed to get another 2 min 3 sec PB - Official time 1:35:47. Absolutely buzzing, such a practical training plan and cannot recommend it enough, the reason why it works is the flexibility and various pacing offers.
Once again I will add that I have my own hill session that I do regularly, once a week and coupled with this plan, I was able to get over 5 mins shaved from my original previous pb time of 1:40:27 in January this year. Looking forward to getting on the 10k plan now.
I bought the L3 HM plan a month before my 25k trail race. This training plan, at the very least, gave me a schedule to stick to that helped me run on the days I didn't want to.
I finished the 25k with a 2:30 time (the hills were outrageous), but I placed 8th overall so I was happy with the results.
Next goal is to run a proper HM with this training plan and aim for 1:45.
This is by far the best plan I have used. I started running April 2023, and I’ve used Runna app mostly. This year I used Pfitzinger’s book to build my base and then went straight to Ben’s plan for HM from 1st July. I had only done two halves before this (PB - 1:40:27) and was aiming for sub 1:40. This plan helped me get this today, I felt strong and I got 1:37:50. I did add one day of hill training in the last 5 weeks before the race today. The plan is easy to follow and detailed enough with flexibility to go faster if you feel you are primed. Highly recommend this plan and I will be using the marathon one next year. Cheers Ben.
Easy to follow and a great and detailed schedule. I hope it gets me over the finish line
I had such a great time completing this running plan and it enabled me to nab a 4min PB in the half-marathon. Great mix of easy runs and harder sessions. Thanks to this plan I am fitter than I have ever been and am now eyeing off my first marathon.
Thanks Ben (and Sarah and Ben’s Mum) for all the hard work you put in to help average runners like myself achieve.
James C
Couldn’t be happier with Ben’s L3 Intermediate Half Marathon plan! Coming into this training block my previous PB was 1:55 which I wanted to drop below 1:45 but after following this plan I smashed my original goal finishing in 1:32 which is unbelievable. The plan is well made and easy to follow and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to improve their PB. Thanks Ben!
Ran Cambridge half on Sunday and trained on the L3 Intermediate and achieved my 1:40 goal. Thanks so much. I was stuck on a 1:42 time for a long time and this plan helped him achieve my PB.
Ben Parkes was my first YouTube mentor for distance running. I did my first marathon with beginner plan for free. I’m happy to pay a small fee for this 1/2 marathon plan. I takes all the guesswork and stress out of it for me. I’ve printed it out to guide me daily. Thanks!
