How I Shaved 5 Minutes Off My Half-Marathon Time with Runna—And Actually Enjoyed My Race

Published on: February 25, 2025

Introduction

Running a half marathon is always a feat, but cutting five (!) minutes off my previous time felt like an even bigger achievement. For years, I had been running regularly, but I wasn’t seeing the improvements I wanted and kept falling off because I felt discouraged. I knew I needed a more structured approach, something beyond simply logging miles and hoping for progress.

That’s when I found Runna, an app designed specifically for runners looking to improve their performance through tailored training plans. Unlike generic running apps, Runna felt like having a personal running coach in my pocket, guiding me through structured workouts, adjusting my plan based on progress and holidays, and helping me stay accountable!

In this product review, I’ll walk (or run, hehe) through my running journey, how the Runna app transformed my training, and how it ultimately helped me set a new personal record (PR) in my latest half marathon.

My Running Journey Before Runna

Before I started using Runna, my training was inconsistent. Some weeks I’d run five days in a row, then barely train the next week. I relied on feeling rather than strategy, often running the same pace for every workout regardless of whether it was an easy run or an attempt at speed training. This resulted in a lack of any real progress.

When I ran my first half marathon in 2019, I finished exhausted and even developed a horrific stomach cramp the next day. When I ran my second one in 2021, a month after my brother-in-law died, I had trained hard but not smart and was woefully unprepared for Dallas' heat and humidity (I was also grieving). I knew I could improve, but I needed guidance and didn't know where to turn or how to create a comprehensive plan.

Then one day while browsing LinkedIn, I came across a post about Louis Serafini, the former community and marketing manager at Tracksmith—my favorite running apparel brand—joining the team behind Runna. That’s how I first discovered the London-based running app!

How Runna Transformed My Training

Runna was a game-changer right away because it took ALL the guesswork out of my training. Instead of randomly deciding how far or fast to run each day, I had a structured plan customized to my fitness level and goals. The app designed my training schedule based on my target race date and experience level, making sure I peaked at the right time and began tapering when appropriate.

Design & Features That Made All the Difference

Runna’s interface is clean and incredibly easy to use, which made sticking to the plan even more manageable. There's a lot I appreciate about the app, but here's what stood out to me:

1. Personalized Training Plans

   • When I first set up the app, it asked for my goal race, target time, current fitness level, and daily availability. From there, it generated a plan specifically for me!

   • The workouts weren’t just generic runs; they had purpose. Some days were about endurance, some focused on speed, and others emphasized recovery.

   • After setting up my plan, the interface made it easy to incorporate strength training as well using the equipment I had. You don't realize how much you utilize your upper body until after you cross the finish line and the soreness sinks in, so the app definitely helped me prepare for that. It also helped to have a built-in timer!
     
     

2. Pacing & Progress Tracking

   • One of my biggest mistakes in previous training cycles was running too hard constantly and thinking that doing 150% each time would benefit me. Runna fixed that by providing precise pacing targets for every run, giving my body time to adjust to faster times and longer distances.

   • The app synced with my Apple Watch, so I could see my pace in real time and adjust accordingly.

   • Over time, I saw my average pace improve and my average heart rate lower without feeling burned out!
     
     

3. Built-in Accountability & Adaptability

   • Unlike static training plans, Runna adapted as I went. If I missed a workout due to a cold (which very much happened in November) or needed an extra recovery day, it adjusted my schedule so I could stay on track. This helped my journey towards the Cowtown Half Marathon feel more sustainable.

   • Seeing my upcoming runs mapped out in the app kept me accountable and provided me an idea early on of what to expect. I didn’t have to think about what workout to do; I just followed the plan.

At first, I was skeptical that following an app could make such a difference. But within a few weeks, I felt stronger, faster, and more in control than ever before. When race day arrived, I felt beyond prepared. I had trained smarter, not just harder, and I could tell the difference from the moment I started running. Best of all, my training enabled me to enjoy the race and to have fun.

What Changed for Me on Race Day?

1. Confidence in My Pacing

   • I started at a controlled pace, resisting the urge to go out too fast (a mistake I had made in my previous two half marathons).

   • I trusted my training and even gave myself a pep talk when my legs started breaking down at mile nine. I told myself, "You've trained for fifteen weeks for this. You got this."
     
     

2. Endurance & Strength

   • Around mile 10, after the excruciating hill at Main Street Bridge, the elevation leveled out and I realized I still had energy left in the tank, something that had never happened before in a race.

   • The structured training helped me build both speed and endurance, so I wasn’t hitting a wall in the final miles.
     
     

3. A Faster Finish & a New PR

   • In the last 5K, I mustered whatever energy I had left and pushed hard to the finish line despite my left ankle and right hip flexor locking up.

   • Official result: A five-minute PR! That might not seem like much, but in the world of distance running, it’s a big deal.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, this experience taught me that structured training matters. Before Runna, I was running without a real plan. This app changed the way I trained, raced, and even thought about running because it's really not just about the miles under your feet.

Would I recommend Runna? Absolutely. If you’re an athlete looking to improve—whether that’s getting faster, building endurance, or simply training smarter—Runna is one of the best, most well-designed tools out there. It’s like having a personal coach who guides you every step of the way. I can testify that it's very much worth the annual subscription.

So what’s next for me? With this PR under my belt, I’m already thinking about my next goal. I want to continue riding this high and strive for an even faster half marathon. My next planned race is the Rockaway Beach Spring Half Marathon in April and I'm excited to hopefully shave off even more time! In my next training block, I've chosen to incorporate mobility training sessions as well, which should help with some of the locking up issues I experienced during this recent race.

If you’re considering using Runna (personal referral link), I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried it? What’s your next running goal? Share it with me and maybe we can be an additional accountability partner to each other!