How to maintain a good base?

DebSM2

Hello! I am nearly to maintenance after a large weight loss (140 lbs. gone, 15-20 to go) and am fancying myself a runner. I started in March and have stepped up my mileage to where now I try to average 20 miles a week, but really aim for 100/ month the past few months. I run 4 to 6 times a week, normally 4 or 5 miles per run, occasionally 6.5. I have done a couple of 5k races and yesterday did my longest run yet of 9 miles. I just ordered a Garmin 10 so I can track my pace, which I haven't really focused on. My crude approximation of time and distance usually yield something just under 10 minute miles. I don't really push my pace, but it may be time to do so...I just seem to settle into the 10 minute miles where things feel good and breathing is not labored.

I "want" to do a half marathon (it scares the crap out of me!) and don't know if I should do a local one in May or a local one in September. So, I am wondering if my current running "schedule" is conducive to properly training in fairly short notice. I know I should do some weight training, and am looking for body weight exercises to do...don't care to join a gym or buy equipment right now. Any suggestions?

I don't right now have a training or running program. I am a teacher and have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 14 month old and a husband with a demanding, time-suck of a job so I wake at 4:00 to run and just go as often as I can because I never know when kid issues or weather will keep me from running. I don't even plan how far I will run prior to going out as I have a basic loop that I add to depending on how I feel. I feel like I need to be more organized but there are too many variables...

Tl;dr...what should I do to prepare myself / establish a fitness base so I can amp up my running to train for a half marathon in, say, a month? I know there are loans out there...can I do the back half of a 9 week plan?

Tia
Deb

LoneWolfRunner

You should bump up your weekly miles to 25-30. If your weekly miles are consistently double the distance of the race you want to run then you will build a solid base. Just gradually add to your long run each week, but every three weeks or so drop it down for a week to give your body a "running recovery" week. If you get at least a couple of ten miles runs in, you will be more than ready to do a half. If you can do an even longer run, that's just a bonus. Even with your schedule, you can easily be ready for a May race.