Half Marathon Advanced - L4

It's a great programme, clear and progresses nicely. a variety of runs which is a bonus and keeps it interesting. I didn't manage to do all the runs each week but I still improved massively. I also didn't really feel at risk of overtraining as it builds up well. Was delighted to not just break the 90 minute barrier for the first time, but smash it. Would definitely recommend!

Another great and varied programme that has helped me break another PB. I'm also using this plan to continue training for the Great South Run although it's a shorter distance. Really helps to have structure in my training. Putting the work in especially on the interval days has really paid off.

Great plan, tough but really enjoyable improved from 1hr 35 to 1hr 29. Would highly recommend. Gonna try the 10k plan now to get sub 40

Followed this plan religiously.. helped me get from 1:40 to a 1:26 half marathon!!

The plan has a great mix of easy, speed work and long runs. The goal pace sections really help break up them long runs and were so crucial to help me break my 1:30 goal!

On to the next..

On Sunday 8th September 2019, I ran the Simplyhealth Great North Run 2019 in 01:33:57.

It was a negative splits race and an 8 minute PB. I ran the course 25 minutes faster than my time from GNR 2018 and 1 hour 19 minutes faster than my GNR 2017 time.

Following the successful progress made in training for Manchester Marathon, it made perfect sense to continue using a Ben Parkes Training Plan and build on the momentum.

My marathon training plan was a Level 2 Improver Plan.

In the lead up to Great North Run training, I spent a month considering which training plan level to choose. I knew I could step up from Level 2, but how far?

I purchased both of the following plans so I could review them closer and see which would be most suitable:

Level 3 Intermediate (Target Finish Time 1:35 – 1:45)
Level 4 Advanced (Target Finish Time 1:25 – 1:35)

I learnt from this experience to believe in myself more. Often self-doubt can play a part. So it’s important to back yourself, believe in your greatness in order to push beyond the comfort zone and see what happens. I’m glad that I eventually chose Level 4.

My main concern was that the Level 4 plan had a few of the mid-week sessions that went up to 13K and a 10 mile long run. These distances would not be possible to achieve within my available lunch break.

On these sessions, I ended up splitting the distance in half and making up the total by a double run day commute to and from work.

In the end, achieving 1:33 meant I surpassed my Dad’s Great North Run best of 1:35. This took on greater meaning and significance, as I hope to inspire my daughter in the same way as my Dad inspired me to start running.

Thank you Ben for helping me to achieve something I never considered possible before.

I was very happy with this plan. Very easy to follow, both the pace charts and the weekly notes helped a lot. My fitness improved more than I expected. I'm planning on doing a marathon training plan next.

These plans will make you work hard, but you will see your PBs tumbling. I refer to it all the time for session ideas and for suggested paces.

If you have a race planned for 2021 I'd fully recommend this plan if your goal is sub 90.

I did it!
1:29:36 - achieved my lifetime goal of a sub 90 min - the plan helping out a ton!

First time I've strictly followed a plan on my way to a a race, planning to go from 1:34 to a sub 90 min HM - and what can I say: I've never ran as many miles per week and I was never faster. And I had fun on the way!
On top of that, it was nice to be able to ask different running friends to join me on the various training efforts according to what they were able to do.
Berlin half got cancelled but I'm still happy about having gone through the training. Gonna have to update you on whether I have made it in the future ;)