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​Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast​

Well, hello 2025. Thomas here with newsletter #395.

Out with the old, in with the new.

In-between browsing Strava 2024 recaps, taking a few days off and letting the inbox pile up, the past week has been—like it is every year—a good time for reflection.

In 2024, we evolved Marathon Handbook significantly, whether it was filling out our team, refreshing our YouTube channel, or finally launching the Marathon Handbook Podcast. Not to mention a rebrand and new site. There was a lot of graft behind the scenes, you'll just have to trust me.

Personally, the year felt like a (fairly successful) juggling act. While the team were beavering away at Marathon Handbook, my partner and I welcomed kiddo #3 in April. Working in short sprints between child-minding has become the norm in our house (I have an 8-month-old tugging on my trouser leg as I write this). And as for my running, as much as I hate to admit it... it's spent another year on the back-burner.

In the past couple of years I'd set ambitious training goals that were thwarted by picking up bugs from the kids, sleepless nights, or just pure exhaustion. So rather than frustrate myself in 2024, I made the decision just to run for fun and to maintain my fitness. In the end, I scraped together just over 1000 km for the year, with a couple of strength training sessions peppered in each week to keep me ticking over. So, not a disaster.

But now, it's time to look to 2025.

With our household routines stabilizing somewhat, I'm looking forward to restarting long morning runs (my favourite) and then getting race-fit to get back into events. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Have you set a goal? Or a resolution?

If you're looking for some inspiration and guidance, I'm sharing the following resources below in this email (note, these are always available, we just sometimes forget to talk about them):

• Links to our massive database of free training plans, from 5Ks to halfs to marathons to ultra marathons. These are all downloadable in Google Sheet and PDF formats.
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• The same plans in TrainingPeaks, which you can sync on your device to train along with. We charge a little for these to help cover our costs, but below there's a 25% discount code that's valid for the next 48 hours.
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• Our courses: each one is 5+ hours of exclusive, in-depth video content where we really get in the weeds for preparing for your first half, full marathon, or ultra. There's also a discount code below for these.

I've also linked to our team's most recent podcast that's all about setting running resolutions, and Katelyn's coaching sessions. If you know Katelyn a little from our podcast, you'll know how knowledgable and supportive (and awesome) she is.

And, for those of you who haven't checked it out, here's an ebook I put together a couple years ago: The 26 Golden Rules of Running (PDF ebook here) . I flipped through it recently and was pleased with how it (mostly) holds up. Maybe in 2025 I'll dust it off and revisit my rules with what I've learned in the intervening years.

And with that, I'll leave you to get on with your year.

Here's to a prosperous and miles-filled 2025 for all.

Thomas Watson
Marathon Handbook founder, fledgling mid-life comeback hopeful

PREMIUM TRAINING PLANS
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HALF MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

​Couch To Half Marathon Training Plan​

​16 Wk Beginner Half Marathon Training Plan​

​12 Week Rookie Half Marathon Training Plan​

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​8 Week Improver Half Marathon Training Plan​

​Sub 2-Hr Half Marathon Training Plan​

​Sub 1:45 Half Marathon Training Plan​

​Sub 1:30 Half Marathon Training Plan​
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MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

​Couch To Marathon Training Plan​

​6 Month Beginner Marathon Training Plan​

​20 Week Rookie Marathon Training Plan​

​16 Week ‘First Time’ Marathon Training Plan​

​Sub 4 Hour Marathon Training Plan​

​12 Week Marathon Training Plan​

​Sub 3 Hour Marathon Training Plan​

​20 Week Advanced Marathon Training Plan​

​20 Week Advanced (INTENSE) Marathon Training Plan​

ULTRAMARATHON TRAINING PLANS

​50k Training Plan – Just Finish​

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ALL OUR FREE RUN TRAINING PLANS

Today of all days felt like a good day to shout a little about our extensive library of free training plans: we usually use these newsletters to share interesting features, expert tips, and the latest running news . . .

But, if you're heading into 2025 thinking about your running goals...maybe it's time to get a plan.

As a newsletter reader, you've got complete access to our massive library of plans.

There's nothing quite like this database on the internet - as far as we know - and they're completely free:

(If you're met with a 'subscribers only' prompt, then you may need to sign up for Grow - the platform that we use to control access to our plans. It's free and means you've got lifetime access to all the above plans.)

OUR RUNNING COURSES

Courses On Sale:

​The Ultimate Runner's Bundle​

The Ultimate Runner's Bundle combines all 4 of our premium courses (Half Marathon Masterclass, Marathon Training Masterclass, Ultra Runner's Playbook + 7 Day Motivation Challenge) in one cheaper package.

You get access to each of the below courses and all the bonus downloadable content - which adds up to over 16 hours of exclusive video tutorials and reams of extras! Check it out!​

Use the discount code SPRINT25 at checkout for 25% off!

​Half Marathon Masterclass​

Our latest course, the Half Marathon Masterclass is your Complete Guide To Achieve Your Half Marathon Goals - Specific Training Plans, Expert Advice, Preparation, Gear, Nutrition and Pace Strategy, Guaranteed!

With over 6 hours of brand-new, exclusive video tutorials and oodles of extra downloadable guides, I've packed absolutely everything you'd ever wondered about running half marathons in here.

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​Sign up today Use the discount code SPRINT25 at checkout for 25% off!

​The Marathon Training Masterclass​

Our flagship course, the Marathon Training Masterclass has now been used by hundreds of students to achieve their marathon goals.

In this course, I guide you step-by-step through your marathon training journey - first starting with the fundamentals of marathon training and the strategy we'll use, then guiding you through each part of your training . . .

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​The Ultrarunner's Playbook​

Ultrarunning is where things get weird - when you're running for several hours on end, everything is different. Your mindset is often more important than your physical preparedness.

Your nutrition, hydration, and pace strategies have to be mapped out to carry you over dozens of miles - and allow for all kinds of contingencies. Your training looks totally different too, as you prepare your body for the ultimate endurance challenge - an ultramarathon.

​The Ultra Runner's Playbook is my complete guide to the world of ultra-running. Running ultras is where I found my passion for running, and part of the appeal for me is that once you're into ultra-running territory there is no map: anything can happen.

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​The 7 Day Motivation & Mindset Challenge​

Our 7 Day Running Mindset and Motivation Challenge is the ultimate starting pistol to better running routines, habits, and building willpower!

This mini-course is great for anyone who's running practice has slipped in recent months; as well as running or working out every day, as the week progresses we introduce new elements and challenges to keep you engaged and working towards a better you.

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🎧 Podcast: Let's Talk About New Year's Running Resolutions​

🎙️ Kick off 2025 with big goals! Join Katelyn, Alex, and Michael as they talk about how to set and stick to a New Year's (running) resolution. Plus, they share their ambitious running plans and personal aspirations for the year ahead.

Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts:

🎉 Kickstart Your 2025 Running Goals! 🏃‍♀️✨

Ready to regain your running fitness or finally conquer that race you’ve been dreaming of?

Whether you’re aiming to crush a spring marathon, build up to your first 5K, or simply get back into shape, we’ve got the perfect guide to help you start strong. 💪🏼

Train with Katelyn Tocci, our in-house UESCA-certified coach with over a decade of experience helping runners of all levels achieve their goals. From customized training plans tailored to your fitness level and goals to ongoing feedback, unlimited messaging, and video check-ins twice a month, Katelyn has everything you need to make 2025 your best running year yet. 🎉
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Let’s make those resolutions a reality—reach out today and get race-ready! 🏅
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