Half marathon training- Delay or Add to End?

duckiec

I'd like to do a half in mid-March. Most training plans go from 12-16 weeks; that's about 23 weeks away.

Should I start a half training program now, and add to it (or do most of it again?) at the end to get my to my race day, or should I wait til I get closer to the event to start? I'm asking now because I'm wrapping up my current running program, and find I do better with specific workouts for the day, rather than picking on my own; I'd like to find something else to follow.

I was going to use the Runkeeper program(s) but if anybody has any great programs they'd recommend, or any 8week or less ideas which would fill the gap nicely, love to hear them. I'm fairly novice, and pretty slow, but I currently do 3-6mi per session right now, if it helps.

Thanks!

KathleenMurry

Pfft why start tomorrow what you can start today? If you leave yourself just enough time to finish the program before the HM, you give yourself no time for unforeseen events - like injuries or missing long runs. Plus, finish the program early and then keep going until the HM and you'll have a stronger race. First time HM programs are designed to get you able to complete the race, not compete in the race. I think a few extra weeks of training will just make you stronger.

RenewedRunner

The stronger your foundation, the better you will be in the long run. Start running today. What I have done in the past is build myself up to a certain point and then maybe look at a different plan that starts somewhat close to that.

jaysull21

I agree with Kathleen. Start now, and if you have extra time then you can always restart the program from the midway mark or higher. However, if you feel like you need an extra week at a certain long run distance before you move up, you can do it again during your training too.

I had issues going from 8.5 -10 mi , fwiw. I wasn't following an official training plan because I wanted to actually go the full 13.1 before my race, but always tried to go farther each week. I repeated my 8.75 mile run the week after, and it helped me go to 10 after that. Just repeated 12 mi two weeks in a row too.

ThickMcRunFast

Build your base now, get used to running higher mileage ever week, then do the 16 week plan. Its will be important to taper at the end so your legs are fresh for your race.

Here's a decent base-building plan you can modify for your needs
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/build-your-best-training-base?page=single

duckiec

Thank you for all the insight and feedback! I think I'll start the "just get it done" plan now, and maybe when that's done, transition to some point in the "do it in less time" plan to carry me through to the event. Love it when a plan comes together.

__Di__

I'd like to do a half in mid-March. Most training plans go from 12-16 weeks; that's about 23 weeks away.

Should I start a half training program now, and add to it (or do most of it again?) at the end to get my to my race day, or should I wait til I get closer to the event to start? I'm asking now because I'm wrapping up my current running program, and find I do better with specific workouts for the day, rather than picking on my own; I'd like to find something else to follow.

I was going to use the Runkeeper program(s) but if anybody has any great programs they'd recommend, or any 8week or less ideas which would fill the gap nicely, love to hear them. I'm fairly novice, and pretty slow, but I currently do 3-6mi per session right now, if it helps.

Thanks!

Eh? Why wait. Just start training and if you finish that training program weeks before the event, just continue training until the event and then after the event, continue training for your next race.