beginner Half-Marathon training plan, starts today

amysj303

Maybe I can get some others to join me, the plan is pretty simple and for novices. I don't intend to run a half-marathon but the training plan has a little something everyday but Friday, which is pretty cool.
http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm
I would appreciate the company and support of anyone who wants to join in!
Today is stretch/strengthen so I think I will do some yoga and pilates on-demand at home.

monkybites

Amy,

I have a group of people training to walk the half marathon in Dallas in March. I am following the Hal Higdon's 12 week training and it's going well so far! Good luck to you!

hepkitty

Hey I'm definitely keen! I'm hoping to run a half marathon in June, and also run the Abel Tasman at the end of the year (a 36k track that goes along some really beautiful coastline in New Zealand)

so my plan is to train up for the half and then work my way up in the second half of the year. The plan you're following works really well for me as I already do yoga on Mondays and dance on Wednedays (that can be my cross training).

Let me know how you're going Amy, & I'll update with my progress

Becky

amysj303

great, thanks

amysj303

day 1, week 1 done-i hr of yoga and strength. It was something on demand with Bethany Frankel, it was pretty good.

kylielouttit

Maybe I can get some others to join me, the plan is pretty simple and for novices. I don't intend to run a half-marathon but the training plan has a little something everyday but Friday, which is pretty cool.
http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm
I would appreciate the company and support of anyone who wants to join in!
Today is stretch/strengthen so I think I will do some yoga and pilates on-demand at home.

I am starting this program the second week of march I think. I am running a half marathon in Calgary on May 29th!

nevergonnagiveup

started the training for a half marathon last year using a beginners guide (around 12 weeks) and ran my first 1/2 last November. Had an awesome time as I traveled with a friend. Have some more lined up this year plus some more challenging events. If you are going to train. push further and do one! You will be surprised on what you can achieve! If someone had told me earlier last year that I would be prepping for a 1/2 I would have laughed at them - not any more! The sense of achievement is wonderful. I wasn't aiming for great timing, just to start and finish. Go for it! :drinker:

Lisamarie1226

Amy,

I have a group of people training to walk the half marathon in Dallas in March. I am following the Hal Higdon's 12 week training and it's going well so far! Good luck to you!

The Dallas Rock N Roll Marathon on March 27th? I'm signed up for that! I'll be jogging mostly though. Good luck to your group!

sixpackgoal

Best of luck in your training for the half.
I did Chicago Half Marathon Sept 2010.
I followed a training plan that helped a lot. The only thing I planned on doing different this year is not taper as much the last couple weeks. I am far from fast but hope to improve my time of 2:05 to 1:55. I went out too fast and last three miles were tough. I will be much more prepared this year.
Most anyone can do this if they start early enough by building up their weekly mileage gradually and put in a long run on the weekend.

Happyoceangirl

Bump! I'd love to follow your progress and MAYBE (?) join you. I really had a blast with C to 5K and then stuck with jogging for over a year. But it's starting to lose it's luster. I jog alone and it has become hard to stay motivated, and set new goals. Hmmm. If you keep posting, maybe I'll find myself trying to keep up??? (I have a feeling I'd get out there today, but I'm dealing with sick germs and need to be back to 100% before I give it a go.)

Good luck!

amysj303

ok, 3-mile run today!

hepkitty

Sweet! I did a 5k fun run yesterday (Tues) which is just over 3 miles, and am dancing tonight!

amysj303

week 1 day 2, 3 mile run, done. tomorrow calls for cross-training, not sure what to do, or for how long!

hepkitty

Hey, how did your cross training go? What did you do in the end?

Yesterday ( Thurs) I didn't do the 3m run but I did go dancing, biking, and climbing (so strength work is definitely checked off). This is the problem I have with running training, because I do a wide variety of exercise and sometimes I just don't have time for a run!

Going away in the weekend but I think we might go for a run anyways on Sunday because my husband is really keen on running...his achilles is recovering from some minor tears which is lame for him but means that at the moment we are running similar distances!

amysj303

I was bad last night, went to dinner, had a glass of wine and lost all motivation. Back on track today for a 3-mile plus strength-training and have to trade my rest day, which was Friday, for Wednesday, when I was lazy. So I still have to come up with a cross-training-what should I do? Saturday is cross too and Sunday is the 4-mile run.

VBos

I was totally hoping to run a half this summer, although i'm not much of a runner. i've just now mastered the 4 miles... but i'll totally do this with you!! which 1/2 are you running? how cool would it be if we all met up to run it!?! awesome, i'm pumped now, my running too was losing its luster. i'll take a look at the running schedule, i may have to switch some days around cause my weeks as of now are pretty busy.

amysj303

I am not sure I will run. I have never raced before, it doesn't really appeal to me but maybe I should give it a chance.
My friend wants to do a half August 13, 2011-it's in Colorado, the race is from Georgetown to Idaho Springs.

amysj303

the 3 miles went easier last night. I kind of do an interval thing, I warm up for 3 minutes at 3.5mph, then 3 mins of 5 mph, then 5.5 then 6, then 5.5, then 5 then 5.5 then 6; it keeps it interesting and lets me look forward to the slower speeds.
The plan says my heart rate should be 65-75% of maximum. Max is 220-age (35) and 70% of that is about 130. My run keeps me in the 150s, often 160s.
Any other runners with HRMs know what their heart rate is while running?

amysj303

I should have said, last night was day 5, week 1.
Today should be rest day but I took Wednesday off so I am cross-training tonight. I think I will just find some video or on-demand workout.

Serenifly

I'll be starting that program after my Quebec Business trip ... (Feb 7th)

BrandonMB

It was very cool to find this thread. I have been jogging as part of this whole weight loss thing for a few weeks now and was looking online for upcoming runs. I found the GoodLife Fitness Half Marathon which is May 17 in Toronto. Last night was Week 1, Day 1, only a 2 mile run, so I went up and down the hills in the beach to make it more impact. I am doing a slightly longer program, 15 weeks, but would be happy to go through some of this with you.

Also, if there is anyone in Toronto that is looking to do a half marathon this spring and is looking for a running buddy, would be great to hear from you!

VBos

did the 3 miles last night, but didn't have time to strengthen, so i'll do strength and x train tonight. even though it's a "rest" day.

amysj303

I forogt to do strength last night too! Maybe 30DS tonight!

Happyoceangirl

Yay for you, Amy! Sounds like a good start. I really think I want to be joining you. Ever had one of those lingering colds where you're too sick for a serious workout but not sick enough to just lie around? I think going for a run would KICK MY BUTT right now. Yoga has been the extent of my workouts this week .

Maybe I'll battle my way back to good health with a PLAN to start week 1 on Monday. Whatcha think?

Great job and thanks for the inspiration!

amysj303

yeah, you gotta rest when you are sick, the immune system needs it.
So I did a Jillian workout, it was an ab one but it was intervals and it was tough. I figured my abs would really hurt today but they don't. I didn't do anything Saturday except paint the fence. IT felt like exercise, and my long run is today. So mad at myself for having 8 beers yesterday. Makes the running harder!

amysj303

week 1, day 7-ran 4 miles, outside. It wasn't too bad, I like running outside and now that I have the Nike GPS app on my iphone I have all the convenience of the treadmill, it tells me how fast and how far I have gone, so that is nice. Unfortinately, it is going to be very cold in Denver this week so I will be indoors for running for awhile.

hepkitty

Hey again,

So the trip away was of mixed success...running-wise, good, cos we went for a 2 hour off road hill run on Saturday (too sore to do anything on Sunday!) but diet wise, fail due to excessive alcohol consumption on Sat night

Your variable running speed plan sounds good, I definitely find myself getting bored sometimes running at the same speed the whole way, so I might try something like that next time.

When I wear a HRM my heart rate usually sits around 145 for most of the run, maybe 150 some of the time. So I guess a little high, but over time the running should get easier and then the heart rate shouldn't go as high, right? Are you pushing yourself really hard to get your heart rate that high, or is it just happening?

Re cross training, I guess it's just a non-run exercise that keeps you moving on the off-days...I do swing dancing so that's most of my cross-training, but biking or walking or doing any of the cardio exercise dvds etc are probably also excellent cross training. Or swimming, I guess?

amysj303

I didn't wear the HRM for my outdoor run today and I never felt like my heart rate was that high, like on the treadmill earlier in the week. I don't try to get my heart rate up, I just try to run faster until I can't.

amysj303

thanks for the blog post, too, I had not seen it.

Happyoceangirl

Okay, day 1: Stretch and strengthen - done! 80 mins of yoga class. I think that would count. Tomorrow is the 3 mile run. I haven't been jogging or running much at all lately, so it will be a (good) challenge to start there and build back up.

amysj303

welcome, I think yoga is a great stretch and strengthen, that is what I did too!