Question about HM training

beaky1980

Good morning all! I have a question about half marathon training. I'm following Hal Higdon's Novice 2 half marathon training. I ended up taking a break at the end of the year at the 9 week mark. Here's the link to the program in case you are not familiar with it: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51312/Half-Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program.

My question is, do I just start back up with it at week 9? If I do, should I repeat it a couple times? Do I go back to a different week? Do I start over? I ran yesterday for 3 miles and it felt good, so part of me thinks I can just go ahead and do week 9 and move forward.

I'm just looking for some advice from some veterans out there. Thanks!

rduhlir

Are you training for a particular HM? I completed that training program for my first HM, I am using his intermediate program now. My question to you is, did you run at all during your little break? If yes, then I would think you could pick it right back up, but just be cautious...stretching out really well and taking walk breaks if needed. If not, then I would think maybe dropping back a week or two and then working back up. That is just my suggestion....based on what I would do lol.

schmenge55

When is your half? In looking at the program you would only be a few weeks out from the race? What weeks did you miss? All that said as long as the week you "jump into" does not have a big increase in total weekly miles from your peak when you were training I would jump in. If the increase is large (more than 10% or so) I might ease it a bit but try and keep the longer one long

beaky1980

I haven't signed up for a particular race yet. I would eventually like to do some races this year (I've never ran an actual race), but I have to see my vacation schedule at work since I work Saturday, Sunday and Mondays, 12 hours a day and most races are on the weekends.

The last time I ran was on Christmas day and I ran 5 miles. It was ugly since I was under hydrated and had been eating like crud for about a week prior. My peak was 10 miles on Dec. 13th. Then I got really sick so I took a bit of time off. I ran 3 miles on Christmas eve, then 5 miles on Christmas day. That would have been my week 9. I haven't ran since Christmas day except for yesterdays 3 mile run.

I was going to try running 10k today (not a race, just the miles). This weekend is going to be circuit training because of time issues (I have to get up at 3:30am before work to accomplish this, lol) so no running until Tuesday of next week. I was thinking of just starting week 9 over again then. My long run next week would be a 10k again. Week 10 the following week would have an 11 mile run on that Friday with a 3, 5, and a 3 leading up to it.

Hope that makes sense, lol. It really does in my mind.

sjohnny

When is your half? In looking at the program you would only be a few weeks out from the race? What weeks did you miss? All that said as long as the week you "jump into" does not have a big increase in total weekly miles from your peak when you were training I would jump in. If the increase is large (more than 10% or so) I might ease it a bit but try and keep the longer one long

This sounds like a good plan. And since you aren't working toward a specific race there isn't a time constraint so just see how you feel and adjust as necessary.

twinmom_112002

Personally I would try to jump back into the training plan but know that I might have to repeat the week. Run routes where you can cut the mileage if its not feeling good. You aren't under a time constraint so if it takes awhile to build back up its no big deal. Better to take your time and listen to your body than to rush it and end up injured.

beaky1980

Thank you everyone for the advice! I'm going to fininsh out this week with my run today, repeat week 9 next week and see how my body handles it. Once I complete this training I am going to try his intermediate program and work on speed. One of my goals this year is to get my 5k under half an hour.

Thanks again everyone!