AdvancedVDOT 53

9-Week Advanced Half Marathon Plan

64 workouts across 9 weeks, with paces calculated from VDOT 53. Estimated half marathon finish: 1:24:30.

Duration
9 weeks
Peak volume
44.7 mi
Predicted finish
1:24:30
Total distance
261 mi

Is this 9-week advanced plan right for you?

This is a condensed build for runners who are already training consistently. It assumes a substantial weekly base and uses more quality work for a competitive goal or PR attempt.

Choose this plan if

  • Race day is about 9 weeks away.
  • You already run about 25+ miles per week and recover well from regular quality sessions.
  • A fixed template peaking at 44.7 miles per week fits your schedule.

Consider another plan if

  • You are returning after time off or need more time to build a consistent running habit.
  • You are rebuilding mileage, managing a major schedule change, or do not have a strong weekly base.
  • A health concern, unusual pain, or a racing goal that needs professional individual advice is involved.

This free template peaks at 44.7 miles per week (72 km) and covers about 261miles total. It is a fixed schedule; a personalized plan uses your race date, current fitness, and available days for $19.99 per race.

Who this plan is for

  • You have multiple half marathons or a full marathon under your belt
  • You regularly run 25+ miles per week
  • You have 9 weeks before race day
  • You can train 5 days per week
  • You're chasing a PR or competitive placement

Training phases

Base Building2 weeks
Build Phase5 weeks
Peak Training1 week
Taper1 week
Race Week1 week

Your training paces

Based on VDOT 53. Paces are shown in minutes per kilometer; use the VDOT calculator to see the equivalent minutes-per-mile paces for your current result.

Easy
5:03
Recovery & base building
Long Run
5:13
Endurance development
Tempo
3:55
Lactate threshold
Race Pace
4:00
Half marathon goal pace
Marathon
4:11
Aerobic endurance
Interval
3:41
VO₂max improvement
Repetition
3:30
Speed & economy

Volume progression

Weekly training volume, with miles shown first in the chart and kilometers included for reference. Recovery weeks reduce load by ~30% to allow adaptation.

Week-by-week breakdown

Want your paces in this plan?

This free template uses VDOT 53 paces. Build a $19.99 personalized plan calibrated to your exact fitness level, race date, and schedule.

Build your plan for $19.99

$19.99 intro price — only 100 places left, normally $34.99. Pay once per race.

Compare nearby plan durations

More time generally allows a steadier build; a shorter plan works best when you already have the running base this level expects.