Mile - Sub 4:20

Plan Length: 12 Weeks

Written by Jeff Thies - This is a plan for aspiring Sub 4 minute 20 second milers. Anyone in the 4:20-4:25 minute mile range and has a solid 2-3 year background of distance running is capable of using this plan. This plan will be structured for runners capable of running between 45 - 55 mile weeks and have been running for ATLEAST a month before starting this plan. However, it is also a strength based plan. So, for a runner who is more of a 400-800 meter runner, this plan may too much running.

The whole objective of this program is to slowly reintroduce strength work throughout the first 4 weeks. Then, we progress into track workouts over the next 6 weeks to familiarize the athlete with 4:20 minute pace. Finally, the last two weeks we have a light taper to have your legs fresh and ready to tackle the 4:20 minute barrier.

A few IMPORTANT training details:

1. TEMPO PACE(5:25-5:40.) This is important to go off of effort but based on a 4:20 minute miler this is the appropriate pace for this type of workout. These paces can be adjusted based on how hilly a course is, weather, and the fitness level you're at when you tackle the tempo run. However, you have to always come back to dialing in on the correct effort-- which is a pace where you can say 3-5 words, generally around 45 seconds slower than 5k race pace.
2. Any other given training effort (10k, 5k, 3k, mile, 800, etc) is the effort on that specific training day. So, for example, if I say 6x30 seconds at mile effort and that is done on a slow cross country course, the PACE will be slower than if you did those same reps on a track. It's crucial that you are always dialing into the right effort under the circumstances you're facing that day.
3. RECOVERY RUN. Pace between 8:00-7:00. Obviously this is a HUGE range because recovery is so different for everyone. However, I always tell my athletes, the slower the better. It's okay to jog, it's okay to run slow. This is where you grow and absorb the hard training sessions.
5. STRIDES. Strides can be done on a track/road/trail wherever you are for your easy day. These should be effort based as well--unless on a track and then you can run around the appropriate pace assigned.
6. LONG RUN. They should be done faster than an "easy run" but not in the "tempo zone." Adjusting to terrain and feel.

Sample Week of Training

Below is a week of training from this plan which represents the type of workouts you will be doing.

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