How to create a plan

Open the Runna app and go to the Plan tab.
Tap Manage Plan → Start New Plan.
Choose your plan type (see below for a full overview).
Enter your details — ability level, current mileage, runs per week, and any race or goal information.
Review your plan preview and tap Start Plan.

Once created, you can manage, switch, or delete plans at any time. See Managing and Switching Between Plans for details.

What plan types are available?

Race plans

For runners training towards a specific event. Go to Plan → Manage Plan → Start New Plan → Race 🏁, then search for your event or add it manually. The app automatically aligns your training with your race date.

Supported distances: 5k up to 50km (ultramarathon).

Distance & improvement plans

For runners training towards a distance goal without a specific race. Go to Plan → Manage Plan → Start New Plan → Run a specific distance and choose your target.

General training plans

For runners not currently targeting a race. Choose from:

Run Faster — build speed and fitness between race cycles.
Run to Maintain — stay active and consistent without peak-training demands. Can be as short as 3 weeks.
Run Further — safely build your aerobic base and weekly mileage.
Train Your Way — fully customisable plan for runners who want to set their own targets.

Beginner & return plans

For runners just starting out or coming back after a break:

New to Running — for first-time runners. Effort-based (no pace targets), personalised to your current fitness level.
Return to Running — for runners returning after time away or post-injury.
Path to parkrun — builds you up to completing a 5k parkrun.

These plans focus on effort-based running rather than pace targets, and are not compatible with Training Preferences. See How to Adjust Your Running Plan's Difficulty for the available customisation options on these plans.

Specialist plans

Hyrox — combines running with functional fitness for Hyrox events.
Post-Race Recovery — eases you back into running after a race.
Post-Injury Recovery — a gentle return to running after injury.
Post-Natal — a safe return to running after pregnancy.
Triathlon — focuses on the running discipline within triathlon training.

Recommended minimum plan lengths

Our plans are built to progress you safely, so we recommend these minimum lengths to see meaningful results:

Plan	Recommended minimum
New to Running	8 weeks
Return to Running	6 weeks
5k Improvement	8 weeks
10k	10 weeks
Half Marathon	12 weeks
Fast-Track Half Marathon	8 weeks
Marathon	16 weeks
Fast-Track Marathon	12 weeks
Ultramarathon	16 weeks
Run to Maintain	3 weeks (most flexible option)

Plans are capped to 26 weeks long. If your race is further away than that, see Which Plans Should I choose between Race Blocks?

FAQs

Do you have a trail running plan?

There's no dedicated trail plan, but you can adapt any distance-based plan:

Set your terrain to Hilly when creating your plan.
Switch to effort-based training: Plan → Manage Plan → Units of Measure → RPE.
For ultras, select the 50km distance plan.

Do you have a mile plan?

There's no dedicated mile plan. The best starting point is the 5k Improvement Plan, which includes speed work that directly improves short-distance performance. Go to Plan → Manage Plan → Start New Plan → Run a Specific Distance → 5k.

Do you have a plan for distances under 5k?

There are no dedicated sub-5k plans. Options that still help:

5k or 10k plans include speed-focused intervals suited to shorter races.
Instant Workouts let you create custom interval sessions with pace targets: Today tab → Add Run.
run faster

Do you have a duathlon plan?

There's no duathlon plan yet. The Triathlon Plan is the closest option — it focuses on the running discipline only, so there's no swim training included regardless.

Do you have an ultra plan?

There's no ultra plan yet. The Run a is the closest option — it focuses on the running discipline only, so there's no swim training included regardless.

For ultras, select Run a specific distance → 50km.

Do you have a walk-run or “jeffing” plan?

There’s no walk-run or “jeffing” plan. New to Running, Return to Running and Path to Parkrun plans do include some walk-runs but they are not the main type of workouts.

Can I create a plan shorter than 6 weeks?

Most plans have a 6-week minimum. The exception is Run to Maintain, which can be as short as 3 weeks — ideal for staying active between race cycles or for a quick fitness top-up.

Can I start a new plan before my current one is finished?

Yes. Go to Plan → Manage Plan → Start New Plan. You can set a future start date. The new plan overrides your current one, but all previous plans remain accessible under View Recent Plans.

How can I preview a plan before committing?

Go to Plan → Manage Plan → Start New Plan and browse the plan setup screens. This temporarily overrides your current plan — switching back via View Recent Plans won't affect your progress.

I don't want my specific race name shown in my plan — what can I do?

Use the Run a specific distance option instead of searching for a race event. This lets you set a distance and end date without attaching a race title. Alternatively, rename your plan via Plan → Manage Plan → ✏️ Pencil icon.