While half marathon training doesn’t involve the same aggressive time commitment and mileage required for a full marathon, it’s still important to follow a good half marathon training plan. Running a half marathon also serves as a useful training step en route to a full marathon, exposing runners to some of the fueling, training, and pacing requirements they’ll face as they work up to the full 26.2-mile distance. The half marathon is the sweet spot for many runners-long enough to have the allure of a challenge daring to be conquered and short enough that training doesn’t feel like a second full-time job.

Aside from the 5k, the half marathon is the most popular race distance worldwide, with 2.1 million participants in 2018, according to the International Institute of Sports Medicine. If you have your sights set on completing your first half marathon-or your fifty-first-you’re not alone. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

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