​

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

Well, hello 2026. Thomas here with a special New Year edition of the newsletter, featuring the Marathon Handbook team's bag-of-tricks for achieving your running goals this year.

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.
  ​
• 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.
  ​
• 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.

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 2026 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 2026 for all.

Thomas Watson
Marathon Handbook founder

PREMIUM TRAINING PLANS
VIA TRAININGPEAKS
​25% OFF TODAY

All of our training plans are now on TrainingPeaks as dynamic training plans, meaning they sync with your devices - be it Apple Watch, Garmin, or other - and you follow the workouts in real-time.

Use the discount code SPRINT25 at checkout on our Online Courses, Premium Training Plans (via TrainingPeaks), and Books!

HALF MARATHON TRAINING PLANS

​Couch To Half Marathon Training Plan​

​16 Wk Beginner Half Marathon Training Plan​

​12 Week Rookie Half Marathon Training Plan​

​10 Week Improve Half Marathon Training Plan​

​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​
​

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​

​50k Training Plan – Improve​

​50k Training Plan – Compete​

​50 Mile Training Plan – Just Finish​

​50 Mile Training Plan – Improve​

​50 Mile Training Plan – Compete​

​100k Training Plan – Just Finish​

​100k Training Plan – Improve​

​100k Training Plan – Compete​

​100 Mile Training Plan – Just Finish​

​100 Mile Training Plan – Improve​

​100 Mile Training Plan – Compete​

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 2026 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 - 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.

We've recently added specific content related to Mindset, Motivation, and Race Day Strategies too - check it out!!

​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 . . .

. . . whether it's your training plan, nutrition, navigating overtraining and injury, the taper, or race day tips. I've packed absolutely everything you'd ever wondered about running marathons in here.​

​Sign up today with the discount code SPRINT25 and let me guide you through your marathon journey!

​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.

And while you don't know what's going to happen in an ultra, you can train and prepare yourself to minimise risks and the chances of problems. That's where the idea for this course comes from.

​The Ultra Runner's Playbook is The Ultimate Guide To Becoming An Ultramarathon Running Machine, Using Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Training, Fuelling, Gear, Nutrition, and Mindset!

Use the code SPRINT25 to get this limited-time discount - sign up today!

​

​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.

Given this course is short, it's already cheap - and with the SPRINT25 discount code, it's a complete steal!

​Sign up for the 7 Day Motivation & Mindset Challenge now!​