## 4 Discussion  
The purpose of this study was to design and implement an annual physical training plan for master athletes aged 45 and above, specifically focusing on the half marathon (PASm-12) event. This age category generally includes amateur practitioners who often lack a scientifically grounded training program, at least as a guiding framework, to meet the multiple demands associated with this event. Moreover, they often do not benefit from the counseling of a specialized coach to coordinate the complex aspects of sports training and continuously adapt training methods and means to the efficiency and safety requirements necessary for the event. To apply and validate such a medium-term (over one calendar year) plan, we involved six Master amateur runners (+45 years), each with at least 10 years of competitive experience. We considered their experience and competition results prior to the study as a guarantee for both good practice of the specialized training process within our approach and future confidence from other amateur runners regarding the sustainability of the sports training model followed by our athletes. Discussions on the Structure, Content, and Effort Indicators of PASm-12 Compared to Other Planning Documents Presented in the Specialized Literature  
Compared to what is mentioned in Section 2.3.1, other studies applying endurance event (half marathon, marathon) training programming based on the same linear planning model present somewhat simplified periodization strategies compared to PASm-12. For example, planning sequences include four stages with a preparatory period (November to February), a pre-competition period (March to the end of April), and a competition period (May to September) [22] or a single 20-week competition macrocycle (\"evolutionary periodization\") following a 3-month preparatory period. In this case, the competition macrocycle is divided into two mesocycles, each of 10 weeks, with the training process applied to a single performance athlete aged 50 [53]. Another planning method on a relatively short term involves a three-phase plan--base phase, training phase, and recovery phase [54]--or recommends 4-6 months of preparation until competition day [39]. Another study suggests a 12-week preparation plan for an experienced athlete [37]. In planning PASm-12, we considered a one-year training program to provide a comprehensive strategy for training and allow the practitioner to form a continuous anticipatory behavior focused on the provided methodology. From the perspective of the number of training sessions, in PASm-12 we proposed that the amateur athletes undertake four or five training sessions per week. In other training models--for example, for the marathon distance--11-13 training sessions have been scheduled for high-performance athletes [22]. For the half marathon distance, other sources suggest either 5-6 training sessions per week for a 50-year-old performance athlete [53], 6 training sessions per week for advanced half marathoners [39], or 5 weekly training sessions with 2 rest days [54]. The means/exercises most commonly used by half marathon runners, according to studies focused on this direction, include easy running, alternating walking and easy running, acceleration runs, repeated sprint training, aerobic-anaerobic threshold running, progressive reduction in distance running, aerobic threshold long runs, Fartlek, steady-tempo running, interval running, strength endurance training--circuit type, jumps, etc. [32; 35; 36; 39; 53; 54; 55; 56]. In PASm-12, similar means/exercises were largely utilized.