Example: 12-week plan for a 2:00 half marathon
What makes a good half marathon training plan?
A well-structured half marathon plan does three things: it builds your aerobic base safely over 12–16 weeks, prepares your legs for 13.1 miles, and leaves you rested enough to race well. That means a weekly long run that extends gradually, easy-pace recovery runs that make up the bulk of your mileage, and a 1–2 week taper so you arrive at the start line fresh.
The key difference between a generic plan and a personalized one is pace specificity. Every run in Pacerly has a target pace derived from your goal time — so your easy runs are genuinely easy, and your tempo runs hit the right effort level without over-taxing your recovery.
Example weekly mileage progression
Beginner plan — peak 28 mi/week, then taper for race day.
How many weeks do you need to train for a half marathon?
Most plans run 12–16 weeks. Beginners and returning runners benefit from the full 16 weeks — you need time to safely ramp from 15 to 28+ miles per week without getting hurt. Intermediate runners with a solid base of 20+ miles per week can train effectively in 12–14 weeks.
If your race is more than 16 weeks away, the generator will show when your plan starts — you don't need to begin formal half marathon training immediately. Use the extra time to build a base at easy effort. Not sure when to start? The start date calculator will tell you exactly.
Half marathon for beginners: what to expect
A first half marathon training plan is designed for one outcome: getting you to the finish line feeling strong, not destroyed. That means running most of your miles at a conversational easy pace (typically 60–75 seconds per mile slower than your goal pace), with one longer run each week that extends your endurance.
You don't need to run every day. Four days per week is plenty to build the fitness needed for a half marathon, with rest days to let your body adapt. The long run is the most important workout of the week — don't skip it.
Pacerly vs. Hal Higdon half marathon plans
Hal Higdon's half marathon plans are popular for good reason — they're simple, accessible, and have helped thousands of runners cross the finish line. Pacerly takes the same proven structure (long run, easy miles, one quality workout) and adds pace specificity. Every run has a target pace calculated from your actual goal time, so you train at the right effort — not just the right distance.
What comes after the training plan?
Knowing your weekly mileage is only half the picture. The other half is knowing exactly how to run the race — how to manage your pace through the first 5K, when to push in the back half, and how to avoid going out too fast. Knowing your required pace before race day starts with the half marathon pace calculator.