7 weeks to 21km baby!
Disclaimer: this has not been written or checked by a fitness professional. It might be a terrible idea. Do what feels right for you.
Week 1: 30 Dec
| Wendesday | 4km easy run | ✓ |
| Thursday | Long static stretches | ✓ |
| Friday | Rest day | ✓ |
| Saturday | 5km easy run | ✓ |
| Sunday | 8km LRwT | ✓ |
Week 2: 6 January
| Monday | Rest day | ✓ |
| Tuesday | 5km easy run | ✓ |
| Wednesday | Intervals: 5x 200m with 90s rests | ✘ |
| Thursday | Core and glute activation | ✘ |
| Friday | Rest day | ✓ |
| Saturday | ✓ | |
| Sunday | ✘ |
Week 3: 13 January
| Monday | Rest day | ✓ |
| Tuesday | 6km easy run | ✓ |
| Wendesday | Intervals: 6x 200m with 90s rests | |
| Thursday | Core and glute activation | |
| Friday | Rest day | |
| Saturday | 7km easy run | |
| Sunday | 12km LRwT |
Week 4: 20 January
| Monday | Rest day |
| Tuesday | 4km easy run |
| Wendesday | Intervals: 4x 200m with 90s rests |
| Thursday | Long static stretches |
| Friday | Rest day |
| Saturday | 4km easy run |
| Sunday | 6km LRwT |
Week 5: 27 January
| Monday | Rest day |
| Tuesday | 8km easy run |
| Wendesday | Intervals: 8x 200m with 90s rests |
| Thursday | Core and glute activation |
| Friday | Rest day |
| Saturday | 9km easy run |
| Sunday | 16km LRwT |
Week 6: 3 February
| Monday | Rest day |
| Tuesday | 8km easy run |
| Wendesday | Intervals: 9x 200m with 90s rests |
| Thursday | Long static stretches |
| Friday | Rest day |
| Saturday | 10km easy run |
| Sunday | 18km LRwT |
Week 7: 10 February
| Monday | Rest day |
| Tuesday | 3km easy run |
| Wendesday | Long static stretches |
| Thursday | 3km easy run |
| Friday | Foam roller or something |
| Saturday | Rest day |
| Sunday | Race day |
Long static stretches
Credit to pocketyoga.com for the images.
Seated Forward Fold
Hold for 20-60 seconds
Sit with your legs extended straight in front of you.
Hinge at the hips and reach toward your toes, keeping your back flat.

Standing Forward Bend
Hold for 20-60 seconds
Stand with feet hip-width apart.
Hinge at your hips and let your torso hang toward the floor, aiming to touch your toes.

Child's Pose
Hold for 20-60 seconds
Kneel on the floor, sit back on your heels.
Stretch your arms forward while lowering your torso.

Lying Hamstring Stretch
Hold for 20-60 seconds per leg
Lie on your back and extend one leg toward the ceiling, holding it with your hands or a strap.
Keep the other leg flat on the floor.

Runner’s Lunge (Hip Flexor Stretch)
Hold for 20-60 seconds per side
Step one foot forward into a lunge, keeping the back leg straight and knee off the ground.
Sink your hips downward.

Figure Four Stretch
Hold for 20-60 seconds each side
Lie on your back, cross one ankle over the opposite thigh.
Pull the non-crossed leg toward your chest.

Cobra Stretch
Hold for 20-60 seconds
Lie on your stomach, place your hands under your shoulders, and press upward, lifting your chest.
Keep your elbows slightly bent.

Core and glute activation
Arm circles
1 set of 10 reps each way
Stand with your arms extended out to the sides and make small, controlled circles.
Gradually increase the size of the circles.
Russian twists
3 sets of 10 reps
Sit with knees bent, lean back slightly.
Twist your torso side to side while holding a weight.
Swissball Jackknife
3 sets of 15 reps
Lie on your back with the swissball in your hands.
Pass the ball down and grip it between your ankles.
Pass it back again.
Weep quietly.
Swissball Deadbug
3 sets of 15 reps
Lie on your back, holding a Swissball between your hands and knees.
Lower one arm and the opposite leg towards the ground.
Return to the starting position.
Glute Raise
3 sets of 15 reps
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
Lift your hips towards the ceiling, squeezing your glutes, then lower them back down.
Side Plank
3 sets of 30-second holds per side
It's probably in the video.
Exercise Band Knee Drives
3 sets of 15 reps per leg
Lying on your back with a resistance band looped around your feet.
Drive one knee towards your chest while keeping the other leg extended on the ground.
Alternate legs.
Stay strong.
Cobra Pose
1 minute
Lie face down, press your hands into the floor, and lift your chest up.
Child's Pose
1 minute
Kneel on the floor, sit back on your heels.
Extend your arms forward while lowering your chest, and hold.
Defintions
Long Run with Tempo (LRwT)
What is it?A long run with tempo combines endurance training with a focused effort to improve speed and stamina. It’s a workout where you run a longer distance than usual, but include a section (the "tempo" part) where you pick up the pace to a challenging but sustainable speed—usually faster than your regular long-run pace but slower than an all-out sprint.How to Do It:
1. Warm-Up: Start with an easy-paced run for 10-15 minutes to loosen up.
2. Long Run: Run at your usual long-run pace (comfortable enough to hold a conversation) for the majority of your run.
3. Tempo Section: In the middle or toward the end of your run, increase your pace to a "comfortably hard" speed for 10-20 minutes. You should feel like you’re working, but not gasping for air.
4. Cool Down: Slow back down to an easy pace for the last part of your run.What It's For:
This workout builds both endurance and speed. It trains your body to maintain a faster pace for longer distances and helps you become more efficient at running. Long runs with tempo are especially useful for preparing for races, as they simulate running hard on tired legs.
Interval Training
What is it?Interval training is a workout that alternates between short bursts of high-intensity running and periods of rest or easy running. It’s designed to improve your speed, stamina, and overall fitness by pushing your limits in short, manageable doses.How to do it:
1. Warm-Up: Start with 10-15 minutes of easy running to get your body ready.
2. Intervals: Run at a fast pace (about 80-90% of your max effort) for a set time or distance—like 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or 200 to 400 meters.
3. Recovery: Follow each fast interval with a period of slower running or walking, long enough to catch your breath—typically the same length of time as the interval or slightly longer.
4. Repeat: Alternate between running fast and recovering for 4-10 rounds, depending on your fitness level.
5. Cool Down: End with 5-10 minutes of easy running to bring your heart rate down.What it's for:
Interval training boosts your cardiovascular fitness and makes you faster by teaching your body to recover quickly after hard efforts. It’s great for runners of all levels, whether you’re training for a race or just looking to get stronger and fitter. Plus, the variety makes it a fun way to mix up your running routine!
Foam roller
Exercise title & reps
First item
Second item
Third item