A 12‑Week Journey from Quiet Winter Roads to Spring Start Lines.
"The miles no one sees become the finish lines everyone remembers."
Week 1 — January 12-18, 2026
Welcome to the first week of Winter Miles to Spring Start Lines, and welcome to a brand‑new year. There’s something about January that makes the roads feel a little more hopeful — even when they’re frozen. Everyone’s talking resolutions, but around here we’re keeping it simpler: no “new year, new you,” just steady miles, honest effort, and a plan you can actually stick with long after the resolution crowd thins out.
This series lives here under Run With Didier, the new home for all of my running‑coaching content — training plans, recovery guidance, gear insights, and the stories that shape the miles. The training plan officially begins on Monday, January 12, 2026, and Week 1 is all about building consistency, finding your footing in winter conditions, and setting the tone for the season ahead.
Spring races aren’t won in March. They’re built now — in the quiet, in the cold, in the miles no one sees.
This week kicks off our 12‑week journey toward spring start lines. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or sharpening up for a stronger season, this series is designed to guide you step by step. Each Friday, you’ll get a new training block, a theme, a recovery focus, and a few gear recommendations that make winter running a little more doable.
Let’s start where all good stories begin: the first step.
🧭WEEK 1 OVERVIEW
Theme of the Week:
Foundation & Intention — easing into the cycle, setting expectations, and building consistency.
Primary Goals:
• Establish a sustainable weekly rhythm
• Build aerobic base with easy, ego‑free running
• Introduce light structure without pressure
• Set your mindset for winter training
Key Workout:
A simple, steady‑effort run
🏃 WEEK 1 TRAINING PLAN — BEGINNER
🏃 WEEK 1 TRAINING PLAN — INTERMEDIATE
Activastic Strength Option
If you prefer guided strength training or want a structured program designed specifically for runners, Activastic and Run With Didier offers a beginner bodyweight workout and more advanced strength training packages that pair perfectly with this half‑marathon plan. These sessions focus on core stability, glute activation, mobility, and injury‑prevention — everything winter runners need to stay strong through the season. Our strength training programs start from $3.99, you can check out the available packages right here on the Activastic website and plug them into your Tuesday routine.
Heart Rate Zone Raster (Zones 1–5)
Using heart‑rate zones is one of the most effective ways to control intensity and train with purpose. This method is much easier and more accurate when using a wearable device (watch, chest strap, or optical HR monitor), since it gives you real‑time feedback during your runs.
Zones Based on % of Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)
Alternative: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) For runners who don’t use a wearable, the Rate of Perceived Exertion is a simple, intuitive way to gauge intensity. It’s based on how hard the effort feels on a scale of 1–10.
RPE‑Based Intensity Guide (Mapped to HR Zones)
🧠 How to Calculate Your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)
Your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) is the highest number of beats per minute your heart can safely reach during intense effort. Most training zones are calculated as a percentage of this number.
WINTER + TREADMILL OPTIONS:
Because Maine weather does what it wants:
• Swap any outdoor run for treadmill equivalents
• If roads are icy, replace Wednesday’s run with a treadmill steady effort
• If Saturday’s long run is unsafe, split it into two shorter runs (AM/PM)
• Tracking devices are your best friend
• A headlamp isn’t optional — it’s survival
🧘 RECOVERY FOCUS OF THE WEEK
“Consistency Over Intensity”
Your body doesn’t need hero workouts right now — it needs rhythm. The goal this week is simply to show up.
• Keep your easy runs easy
• Hydrate even when it’s cold
• Add 5 minutes of mobility or simple stretching after each run
• Prioritize sleep
If you use Activastic supplements, this is a great week to reintroduce your routine: electrolytes, colostrum, protein, and your nitrate booster on long‑run days.
🎧 A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE SNOW
There’s a moment every winter when I’m running down a frozen Maine road, breath hanging in the air, and I think: This is where the season really begins. Not at the start line. Not at the finish. But here — in the quiet, in the cold, in the commitment to keep going.
Winter training teaches you to trust yourself. To listen. To show up even when it’s inconvenient. And that’s the kind of strength that carries you through the last miles of a spring race.
We’re building something together over the next 12 weeks — not just fitness, but a story. Your story. One mile at a time.
🛠️ GEAR SPOTLIGHT
• Winter traction spikes
• Rechargeable headlamp
• Thermal running gloves
• Foam roller for post‑run recovery
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and believe in.
Before You Head Out…
If you ever want guidance that’s more personal, you can always reach out; you can leave a comment under this blogpost, through the Activastic socials, or simply here by entering the store chat... — I’m here to help you navigate training, recovery, and the bigger story behind your miles. You’ll also find even more support across our YouTube channel and social media platforms, links can be found at the top of this post, where I share technique breakdowns, form cues, behind‑the‑scenes training insights, and the kind of real‑talk motivation that keeps you moving when winter gets loud.
For extra tools to keep you inspired, explore our FREE Ebooks, Spotify Playlists, and other motivational resources designed to make your training feel grounded and enjoyable. And if you’re looking to support your performance and recovery from the inside out, the Activastic nutritional supplements we formulate are built to help you train smarter and feel stronger through the entire season.
You’re not doing this alone. I’m right here with you — mile after mile.