1/2 Marathon Training --Newbie

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tabilw
tabilw Posts: 50 Member
in Introduce Yourself
So I started using this website and app, it's a really nice program for me to keep track of everything.
I've gained 9 pounds since I've gotten married and I'm wanting to drop it all, get in shape and run a 1/2 Marathon.

Any kind of nutrition or fitness tips and techniques from anyone would be mighty helpful! :)

Replies

  • amarshwsu
    amarshwsu Posts: 8 Member
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    This is a great training schedule to follow:http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm. Best of luck!!!
  • Rompa_87
    Rompa_87 Posts: 292 Member
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    So I started using this website and app, it's a really nice program for me to keep track of everything.
    I've gained 9 pounds since I've gotten married and I'm wanting to drop it all, get in shape and run a 1/2 Marathon.

    Any kind of nutrition or fitness tips and techniques from anyone would be mighty helpful! :)

    I personally like using a sports gel like shotz when I run. I take one every 30 minutes with some water during half marathon and longer distances. My biggest tip nutrition wise would be eat some carbohydrate based breakfast at latest 1-1.5 hours before the even like banana and museli so your body has time to digest it,

    Hydrate well and either use a sports gel or some other form of carbohydrate every 30 minutes. In your long training sessions a month or two out from whenever you plan to race then practice your fuelling to see whether your sotmach can handle things like sports gels
  • jfn820
    jfn820 Posts: 6 Member
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    I ran my first half marathon in march this year, good luck! I followed a training schedule similar to that one ^^ I dont remember exactly which one it was though.
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,071 Member
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    This is a great training schedule to follow:http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm. Best of luck!!!

    he got me through mine!
  • SWgal
    SWgal Posts: 62
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    This is a great training schedule to follow:http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm. Best of luck!!!



    I followed this same plan and ran my first half this past May!

    Good luck!

    Feel free to add me if you would like MFP running friends!
  • Heather3186
    Heather3186 Posts: 67
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    I'm currently training for a half marathon too! I found these training plans (see links below), but then got some advice from my kickboxing instructor (who runs half marathons too), who personalized a plan for me. My plan is similar to these. Most important is the one day of rest after your long run. I do a spin class (1xweek) and kickboxing class (1xweek) to incorporate cross training into the schedule. Best of luck training!

    http://www.runnersworld.com/charts/hallchart.html
    http://www.halfmarathons.net/training_tips_schedule_beginner_runners.html
    http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html
    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/134.shtml
  • britanygtc
    britanygtc Posts: 8 Member
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    I just ran my third 1/2 this summer. I used Jeff Galloway's run/walk program to get me through it. His Book On Running was a great tool.
  • savlyon
    savlyon Posts: 474 Member
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    This is a great training schedule to follow:http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm. Best of luck!!!

    That is the schedule I use and it is very good. Very doable.
  • TorridCutie
    TorridCutie Posts: 85
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    I agree with using Hal Higdon's training plan. I used it to train for my first half and now am using his novice plan to train for my first full marathon in October.

    When endurance training, it is important to eat a carbohydrate rich diet. At least half of your daily calories should come from carbs, about 30% from protein and the rest from fat.

    During my long runs, I like using gel blocks for my energy needs. You should experiment with energy drinks, gels and semi-solids to see which one you can tolerate better.

    Good luck on your training. You can add me as a friend if you like.
  • sakus32
    sakus32 Posts: 101
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    I myself am training for a 1/2 marathon and am up to for the second year in a row. I up my calorie intake the day before a long run to 2000 calories of good food . . . . low carbs, lots of veggies, and lean protein. I have found that if I eat heavy the day before a long run, I feel sluggish and have a hard run. I also hydrate the day before with 1 -2 32 ounce bottles of gatorade. The morning before my long run, I eat oatmeal (2pks) and a banana and wash it down with about three cups of water. I eat this at least one hour before I run, otherwise I feel too full. I also use a 50oz camelbak filled with cooled gatorade and I have a ziploc of honey stingers that I eat during the run. I have read conflicting literature on whether or not to time your water intake or to listen to your body. I interval run, soo I usually take a few sips each walk interval. The stingers are perfect for me b/c the melt in your mouth more-or-less and they aren't real heavy, which I found to be a problem with GU. Don't fret if when you first start training you gain weight, its most likely muscle that your seeing. You will lean out if you are watching your diet and training regularly, you don't have a choice. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
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    Hal Higdon is a great schedule. I ran my first and only half marathon almost 3 years ago and did not train for it properly at all. I just found I didn't have the time. So if you do run out of time as the race approaches, what I did was just run a long run once a week along with a couple of short runs. I realized with 6 weeks to go I hadn't trained at all yet. What I did was run a couple of 2-3 mile runs when I could squeeze them in, and one longer run each week until race day. So I ran for my long run, 5 miles week 6 until race day; 6 miles week 5; 7 miles week 4; 8 miles week 3; 9 miles week 2; then nothing but a couple of short runs the week before the race. GOOD LUCK! If I can do it, literally anyone can, lol, I was also a smoker back then.
  • campi_mama
    campi_mama Posts: 350 Member
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    I like the half training program at : www.marathonrookie.com
    It's also got some good pointers too on nutrition. Another good running source is Active.com.

    Good luck on your training. Try not to be intimidated by the number when your runs get longer. I'm training for my 3rd half, but it's been over a year and we added another child (hence the break). Looking forward to mine in October. Have you picked a race yet? If not, do that and work backwards with your training. I liked using ShotBlocks to fuel during my runs. Don't do anything new on race day(food-wise) or wear new clothes you've never run in before. Have fun and enjoy it....

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