Training plans
Tried and tested and offer a systematic plan to get you to a peak.
The following training plans have been used in various forms by Runner’s World Magazine, Garmin, leading charities and various running clubs.
eBook and Plans
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Running with goals - eBook - Full edition - £10.00
Learn how to run with a goal. Insight, plans and tips from 1983 London Marathon winner Mike Gratton. Tried and tested plans for all speeds.
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One off Consultation - Discuss anything with Mike £75
Mike can help review your current training plan or provide general advice. After the consultation an overview plan can be prepared to help the runner through to their next goal.
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Mike Gratton’s Elite Training
Transcribed from the daily training diary kept in 1982/83. Marathon training started in 1979 and it took many years to get to this volume and intensity combination.
JACKIE - PORTSMOUTH
I never thought that I would be running PB’s in 2025!
I never thought that I would be running PB’s at 73years+
But since turning 73 in February of 2025 I have run PB’s at 5k, 5 miles, 10k, 10 miles and the Half Marathon much to my amazement. And all of these PB’s have been well inside the EA National level set at 80%WAVA.
Winding back a bit I’m an average club runner who didn’t really have much of a clue about doing anything except putting on my trainers and loving going out running. My training had no structure, I just tried my best effort whenever I left the house but didn’t differentiate much between long runs, how much effort to put it, and sprint and tempo sessions were just words bandied around by the ‘good’ runners.
When I got involved with Mike that all changed. Suddenly my sessions had structure and purpose and each one had a specific purpose even if it was to run slower that I was used too. I learnt to run short repeats, longer repeats, to put a few marathon paced miles into my LSR’s. I won’t deny that some sessions were tough at first but I loved them all for their variety.
The results speak for themselves. I got bronze in my Age Group in London, 3rd in AG in the GSR and within the top 3 in our local races. I was recently thrilled to finish 4th in the València Half Marathon with a 3 minute PB , my previous best time was set in 2019!
I can’t thank Mike enough for persuading me that I could do better, that I needed to train smarter and that with his guidance I could continue to improve. Bring on 2026!
