How many weeks until my race, and when to start the plan?
Give your race date and distance: you'll know how many weeks remain, whether that's enough for a full plan, and which Monday to start it. Works for 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon.
Last updated: 2026-09-28
Your plan, on your watch
Free · official Garmin connection · workouts sent to your watch
The countdown
The plan builds in 2 minutes and every workout lands on your Garmin watch.
Prepare my raceTry it with your own Garmin
Free, nothing to install: connect your Garmin, then ask Claude or ChatGPT for your first workout. It lands on your watch within a minute.
How many weeks does each distance need?
Running Workout's plans last 6 weeks for the 5K, 8 for the 10K, 10 for the half marathon and 12 to 16 for the marathon, the marathon length adjusting to your date. These durations assume you already run regularly, two to three times a week. If you are starting from scratch, count 6 weeks of return-to-running before beginning a race plan.
| Distance | Plan length | Sessions per week | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 6 weeks | 3 or 4 | 6 Mondays before the race |
| 10K | 8 weeks | 3 or 4 | 8 Mondays before |
| Half marathon | 10 weeks | 3 to 5 | 10 Mondays before |
| Marathon | 12 to 16 weeks | 3 to 7 depending on mileage | Between 16 and 12 Mondays before |
Too early, too late: what to do?
More weeks left than the plan needs
That's the good situation. Use the spare weeks to build the base: three easy runs a week, one quality session (intervals or threshold), and a long run that lengthens gently. The plan will start with a body that's ready, and you'll get more out of it.
Fewer weeks left than the plan needs
Two honest options. Run the race "to finish", without a time goal, keeping mainly the long run and a lighter week before race day. Or aim for another race a few weeks later and prepare that one properly. What doesn't work: compressing a plan by doubling sessions, the shortest road to injury.
The plan starts on a Monday
Running Workout's plans count in full weeks, Monday to Sunday, with the race in the last week. The countdown therefore gives you a Monday, or a range of Mondays for the marathon. Your AI assistant then builds the plan and sends each week to your Garmin watch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare a marathon in 10 weeks?
Not for a time goal, if you start from 30 km a week or less. With an already solid base (40 to 50 km a week for several months), 10 weeks allow a decent specific block. Running Workout's marathon plan needs 12 weeks minimum, to leave room for long runs and the taper.
I already run a lot: do I need the whole plan?
Yes, but in a heavier variant. The number of sessions per week is chosen at the start, up to 7 for the marathon, and it is capped at what you already do plus one session: the plan uses your Garmin history to propose the right variant.
What if my race date changes?
The plan re-aligns: the date can be changed from your account, and the weeks redistribute. See the "Move your race date" page.
Your plan, on your watch
Pick the race and the number of sessions: the plan builds in 2 minutes and every workout lands on your Garmin.
Prepare my race