This top is perfect for what I was looking for. When I wore it the first time a person in my running group spotted it was from Ben Parkes too because he also follows the YouTube channel and it matches so well with my novablast 4 baby blue runners.
I used the L3 plan for my last marathon and got a new pb using it - it definitely suited me. I'm very much looking forward to trying this L4 plan. The intensity and mileage is just what I am looking for. Easy to read and follow, with suggested paces. Great value price as well, can't really go wrong.
Great looking and feeling top. Wore it on my 10km run and it's a colour that sticks out from the crowd so family members could see me coming.
Also fairly priced with different unique designs to what the rest of the crowd is wearing.
Also loved the personal thank you message from Sheri, Big up to mummzy Ben loved that. Happy to support the business and will purchase again in the near future.
Nice and comfortable. Love the pattern. Everyone shouldāve at least one in the wardrobe.
I used this plan for my 2024 Javelina Jundred 100k race and completed the race! I felt really well prepared, but not overtrained. I didn't feel like I was dying during the plan's long runs, and was able to recover quickly after each one to start fresh each week. I felt like it was easy to move days around to fit my schedule too, which is helpful! I'm a back-of-the-middle-of-the-pack runner and this worked for me!
I have been following Ben for ages on YouTube and always enjoyed his content - he's my absolute favourite channel. Since I was looking for a well-structured training plan for my next marathon the decision was fairly easy :) I am only on week two of the plan, but here are my first thoughts. I enjoy that the plan is manageable and also weaves in strenght training, which I has always been a struggle for me to include into my week. The build up to a higher weekly mileage is slow and you also get deload weeks. I also love about the plan, that it comes with explanations on what to expect in a week and what the focus is. This motivates me. The longruns are structured and have you run easy and marathon pace. This is not only great for getting used to running the race pace on tired legs, but also breaks up a longer distance in chunks and is thus easier on the mind. And lastly the price is great: You get a lot of bang for your buck.
coming back to comment that I used this plan again while training for a 100 mile attempt (part of a 30 hour race). I successfully completed 100 miles (in under 25 hours) and again, my recovery has been fairly smooth. Because I was aiming for higher than 100k, I did all the higher end volumes for runs with a range, and instead of just 10 minute warm up/cool downs, I always did 2 miles warm up/cool down. I would still love to see an actual 100 mile training plan, but all my internet researching said that at that distance the plans don't include significantly more mileage, so I felt okay with this. Thanks Ben, for a well thought out and clearly presented plan!
Originally got this plan and followed it to the point (3:45 pacing) for my first marathon where I aimed for a sub 4 marathon. It didn't go to plan (5:25!) but it was definitely not due to the plan. I signed up for another marathon 10 weeks after and jumped straight into the plan with some modifications. This time with a 3:44 marathon time. Way better than I could ever have hoped.
Two weeks prior to the marathon this plan also led me to a half marathon PB of 1:42 with a 12 min PB improvement.
The good:
* Great variation in the plan and it pushes you, but at the time time doesn't go too hard.
* Good exercises
* Super easy to read
* Nice encouraging messages.
What could be improved.
* I found the taper having too much volume. At the start line of the first marathon I was exhausted, but at the second time I had about 20km weeks before and during the week just 10km. This was much more appropriate and felt much more rested.
* A bit more guidance on how to modify the plan if needed. When it goes from 3 runs per week to 4 i found it hard to change rythms. An advice on how to accommodate the volume the best way possible to fit 3x would be nice. E.g. combine if needed run 1 and 3. Or alternative suggest other things like replace this run with 1h of biking in zone 2.
In the bigger perspective its the best plan i have tried, and will now buy his half marathon plan to nail the races in 2025.
This is the first time I used an actual plan, and was pleased with how clear it was to follow and sticking with the pace zones in training was new to me. The training block paid off and I went from 3:24 in Paris(flat) to 3:20(hilly) in Dublin. Biggest difference was the strength I felt so the whole experience was more enjoyable at the end. Would highly recommend
I used Ben Parkesā Level 3 Half Marathon Plan aiming for a 1:35 finish, which was right at the edge of my abilities. The 12-week plan was fantasticāwell-structured, easy to follow, and challenging in all the right ways. There were tough days, but sticking to the prescribed paces paid off. Race day was demanding, but I managed to hit my goal and had an amazing result. Big thanks to Ben and the team for creating such a great plan! Iāve just downloaded the Level 4 Half Marathon Plan for my next attempt!
