So one of the hardest things with any venture is finding what works. Whether that be a business idea or a training plan. I’ve just done an 8th plan for one of my runners, and to be honest it took me ages, because they keep chopping and changing their approach and their goals. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, or what works for that runner now.

But if we can find a routine which works, then just stick with it. Add to it slightly, but keep doing the same thing. And in truth, those runners who have had the most success from my plans do exactly that, week in week out, they follow the similar structure.

It’s not a boring approach because the sessions will always be different. For example each efforts sessions and each half marathon session in this plan is different from the next. We don’t repeat a session twice. So that’s where the variation comes from.

But the routine is the same. And for you it’s been working well as we’ve seen those improvements in your parkrun time as a result of the first training plan.

So training plan 2 follows a similar pattern. Albeit we ramp up the training ever so slightly. The average training points target increases from 79 per week to 91.

Where does that come from? Well the interval sessions get progressively more challenging as we get closer to Hastings Half Marathon and the Sunday long runs gets more difficult too.

Apart from that we don’t need to change much. There’s still 3 runs per week with some S&C thrown in too. If you are able to stick to this routine and follow the plan, then I see no reason why you can’t continue to improve that parkrun time and also run your best ever Hastings Half Marathon.

Exciting times ahead for you as a runner and I’m delighted to be able to play a small part in your journey. Keep up the great work. Onwards and upwards.