start running a 1/2 marathon? ?

GouletB

I want to start running races but have idea where to start...help!! I run about 3.5-4 miles a day at an incline. Don't know what to do from here.

Grimmerick

start with a 5k in your area. also try to train outside its so different from the treadmill.

vodkaswigger

I would be intersted in responses to this as i am a keen runner myself but havent managed to get past the 4 mile mark either xx

Mollydolly10

Sounds like you want to start training for a half marathon?? Unfortunately for you, winter is just around the corner, where races tend to die off and don't come back until March! (Depending on where you live of course). You can find great 16-week plans to any race distance on Hal Higdon's website, or on Runner's World.com. Runner's World has a "Smart Coach" option where you can input your time/mileage/training and a goal date for a race and it'll give you a training schedule.

road2peachtree

It may sound dumb, but just to get your feet wet, try a 5k first. Then move on to a 10k, and so on. My first ever race was a 5k and for me it wasn't about the mileage so much as it was the atmosphere. Running on your local trail or on the treadmill is totally different from running in a race. My second race was a 10k. That was a blast. The running kinda takes care of itself I think, but I'm an environment/experience type of person anyway so perhaps that's where that train of thought comes from. Good luck!

erikblock

Running a 1/2 marathon, in my experience, is a funny thing. I just decided one day that I was going to do it. I had never run more than 3 miles in my life, and the 1/2 was only about 6 weeks away. I never ran more than 8 miles in training (and I only did that ONCE), but I was still able to run the entire 13.1 miles without stopping. All of the enthusiasm of the other runners and the people cheering and everything honestly just kind of MAKES you keep going.

I'm NOT in good shape. I'm not the kind of person that you would look at and think that I'm a runner. But I did it. And excuse the cliche, but if I can do it, anyone can.

Good luck!

(Edit: I had run one 5K before doing the 1/2 marathon, but it was over a year earlier.)

-Erik

Mollydolly10

Since you can already run 3.5-4 miles, it isn't necessary that you start with a 5k. Look into some 10k training plans, just googling it will give you tons of hits. And like the above poster said, try to get outside. Incorporate some hills and the outside elements into your run, it's totally different (I totally prefer it!!)

aprylkemper

If 3.5 miles is easy, a 5k will get you used to the experience of a race and will allow you to push yourself for a really good speed (since you know you can cover the distance). After that, I would work in a long run once a week, 5 miles, then 6, and so on until you feel like you are ready for a 10K, which is 6.2 miles.
If you haven't had experience running outside, try getting some time in like that too, as it is much different than on a treadmill with changes in incline and surface to work with.

Make sure you start slow and have a training plan in place - if you started training now, you should have adequate base by the spring to run a half marathon

dk_runs

Someone already mentioned Runner's World. Runner's World had a GREAT training plan for a 1/2 marathon for beginner's in the August 2011 issue. (In fact it's the one I am following.) They might have that info on their site. Definitely worth checking out.

AggieCass09

i suggest signing up for a 5k and checking out runnersworld.com for training programs. Once you can comfortably run 15 or so miles a week then pick a half marathon that is 16 or more weeks away and make a new training program for that.

c25k is another popular program but i dont like looking at my watch when running. Also, it looks like you run on a treadmill. Running outside is generally more enjoyable and a challenge in itself...give it a try!

if you haven't already, GET FITTED FOR PROPER RUNNING SHOES. THis is SO important in avoiding injury in the future.

Message me if you have further questions or check out my running blogs :-)

runslikeagirl

I started a Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training program last week!! Its great so far!!

BobbyDaniel

Plenty of training programs out there, some are even free! I found one that I liked except for the 2 mile jump each week on my long runs...so I'm just going to add a couple of extra weeks to that so that I only have to add 1 mile a week. Or you can simply begin adding to your current running regiment by slowing your pace down a bit and adding the extra mileage.

JoyousRen

I started a Hal Higdon 1/2 marathon training program last week!! Its great so far!!

I'm following it as well. I really like it.

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

27strange

I am working through a 10-week 1/2 marathon training program I got offline for free. Its working well for me. I just googled it and found one that met my time frame and would have me running 5 days a week, which is what I like to do.