While the premium pricing may deter casual users, dedicated athletes will find the investment worthwhile for achieving their running goals. With Runna, you can seamlessly add customized strength training sessions into your running plans. I really like the idea and execution of the community section, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
I can actually tolerate (sometimes even enjoy!) running now
Access your training from any device and never miss a workout. Missing the odd session won’t derail your progress, but staying consistent over time is what delivers the biggest benefits. Optional extras like a resistance band or yoga block can help with variety, but the sessions are designed so you can do them with no equipment at all.
Run your personal best
Without its help, I wouldn’t have gained deeper insights into pacing a race, I wouldn’t have known that I tend to flag after 6km, and I definitely wouldn’t have felt race ready in such a short space of time. Most runners’ favourite letters of the alphabet are P and B. Combined, they represent weeks of hard work, myriad miles in the legs and a decent dose of discipline. But while writing these letters on Instagram is easy, earning the right to do so is considerably harder. New runners might find better value in free alternatives initially.
I didn’t die on race day (hurrah!)
Our world-class coaches, including former Olympians, have helped athletes of all levels unlock mobility and strength. With their expertise, you’ll train smarter, recover quicker, and run with more freedom and control. Running further, faster, and injury-free isn’t just about how many miles you run – it’s also about how well your body can handle the load. These sessions give you the foundation to run with confidence, power, and freedom of movement. The Plan tab is where you can view and manage your entire training plan.
Runner, Couch to 10K Run
Andre is an England Athletics coach and founder of Mafia Moves, with over a decade of experience shaping inclusive run culture. His work blends community, movement, and purpose to inspire lasting change. Gen is a 4x Olympian, Australian record holder, and World Championship finalist known for her remarkable range from steeplechase to marathon. A new mom and seasoned elite, she blends world-class experience with personal resilience. There are options for an 8-week Sprint Tri, 10-week Olympic Tri Plan, a 12-week Half Iron Plan and a 16-week full Iron Tri plan (this is just the running portion of the plan, not cycling/swimming – yet!).
I’m not ready for my first marathon yet. What’s an easier goal I can aim for?
- This approach often leads to injuries and performance plateaus.
- Runna gives you a personalized plan over a few weeks via the ‘training’ tab, with changes every week to help you increase your time.
- I chatted with a friend who used Runna to train post-injury.
- There are also plans for non-race-related goals, like a Get Fit Plan and a Post-Injury Plan for those who are easing back in after time off.
- Whether you’re just starting out, getting back into it, or looking for simple ways to stay consistent, there’s plenty you can use in the app without starting a trial or paying for a subscription.
- Once you’ve picked a plan, you can also rearrange your workouts to fit your week.
Building muscle strength improves running economy by 8–12%, which means you can run faster with less effort. Stronger muscles also handle impact better, reducing the risk of injury. At around 3.1 miles, it’s an achievable goal for almost anyone, even if you’re starting with no running experience or don’t feel especially fit mad muscles reviews right now. Once you can cover the distance comfortably, you can work on running it faster – or even sign up for your first race. Runna has carved a unique space in the digital fitness ecosystem by combining cutting-edge technology with real-world coaching expertise. Its focus on personalization, scientific programming, and seamless user experience makes it stand out in a crowded market.
The Plan Tab
Prioritizing it means you’ll train harder, adapt better, and keep moving toward your goals without setbacks. Running isn’t one-size-fits-all – and neither should your training be. With a personalized plan, you’ll build strength, endurance, and confidence on your terms, while hitting every milestone along the way.
Runna Coach App Plan Options
This is, hands down, the best running app I’ve used when it comes to coaching. Runna’s got an excellent level of customization, and it’s extremely easy to use. If you can’t afford or find a running coach, this is the next best thing. This might sound insignificant, but fitting marathon training around my life is one of the biggest challenges of running 26.2 miles. Having my sessions already sorted on my watch took one thing off my plate.
Choosing Your Strength Goal and Training Frequency
A smart pacing strategy is the difference between running strong and fading late. Go out too fast and you’ll burn through your energy too soon; go too easy and you might miss your potential. Whether you’re training for your first race or looking to finally hit that PR, Runna has what you need. Before you get back to running, you need to make sure you’ve fully recovered; to get an accurate assessment of your injury, consult with a physical therapist – they’ll guide you through the recovery process.
Run Faster
Intensity alternates with easier sessions, recovery is built in, and mileage progresses toward a clear goal instead of stacking hard efforts back to back. These inputs shape a plan focused on consistency and gradual progression. It’s no secret that as well as helping to reduce injury risk, strength training can also increase performance too – we’ll cover why. By the time taper begins, you’ll already have done the hard training – now it’s about arriving fresh and fueled. Carb-loading in the final few days will maximize glycogen stores without dramatically increasing calories.
