Hal Higdon Half training

bshedwick

I'm stuck. I dont know if I should do Hal Higdon's Novice 1 or 2 plan.

The race in May will be my first. I can easily run more than the starting distances of both. I can bang out 6 miles pretty easily. I've already run 11.25 miles at just over my hoped for race pace.

I can do some speed work, but not the intermediate level just yet. I do want to do strength training and flexibility work as well.

Anyone else been in the same boat? Just trying to get some feedback

brandysilvers

I was in the same boat back in November. I was torn between Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon plan and his Intermediate 1 plan. I chose the Intermediate 1 plan and I haven’t regretted the choice. If you can easily do the starting distances, then don’t be afraid to push yourself a little with the tougher plan.

momof3and3

It sounds like you are not a novice...I use a training plan from runners world..I choose what I want my finish time to be and I pick the plan... if you google marathon training plans you can find a lot...tailor one to what you can do. If your race is in May, you have plenty of time to get ready....rule of thumb is to increase your distance by 10% each week...

I run something like this...each run is a different day:

long, slow run/hills or intervals/shorter run at race speed/easy run/long run/short recovery run at mod. pace...I run about 5 - 6days a week...my long runs are at about 10 miles, a short run is no less than 4 miles...I will start increasing my long runs, I have a 1/2 marathon in April...I will run the 13 miles about 3 weeks before the race and than start tapering it back down...

I also strength train and take fitness classes: spinning, kick boxing, kettlebells, etc...

I hope this helps!

FunRun08

I'm in the same boat. I have a half in May as well, and have been keeping my long runs in the 6-7 mile range over the winter. I'm not a beginner, I ran a half in October, but I suffered a foot injury so lost a lot of the progress I made. My time last fall was 2:07 so my goal is to get in under 2:00.

Anyway, lol I will do the intermediate if you do

bshedwick

It sounds like you are not a novice...I use a training plan from runners world..I choose what I want my finish time to be and I pick the plan... if you google marathon training plans you can find a lot...tailor one to what you can do. If your race is in May, you have plenty of time to get ready....rule of thumb is to increase your distance by 10% each week...

I run something like this...each run is a different day:

long, slow run/hills or intervals/shorter run at race speed/easy run/long run/short recovery run at mod. pace...I run about 5 - 6days a week...my long runs are at about 10 miles, a short run is no less than 4 miles...I will start increasing my long runs, I have a 1/2 marathon in April...I will run the 13 miles about 3 weeks before the race and than start tapering it back down...

I also strength train and take fitness classes: spinning, kick boxing, kettlebells, etc...

I hope this helps!

Thanks!

bshedwick

I'm in the same boat. I have a half in May as well, and have been keeping my long runs in the 6-7 mile range over the winter. I'm not a beginner, I ran a half in October, but I suffered a foot injury so lost a lot of the progress I made. My time last fall was 2:07 so my goal is to get in under 2:00.

Anyway, lol I will do the intermediate if you do

If I had a track to do the quarter mile repeats, I would probably opt for the intermediate.

I've never run any race longer than a 10k before, but I know I can do the 13.1 miles now. I just need to work on speed and my time goal.

bshedwick

I was in the same boat back in November. I was torn between Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon plan and his Intermediate 1 plan. I chose the Intermediate 1 plan and I haven’t regretted the choice. If you can easily do the starting distances, then don’t be afraid to push yourself a little with the tougher plan.

Had you run a half before starting the Intermediate plan?

rybo

You can always tweak or add/subtract speedwork to a plan that you like.

Given your level of running already, another suggestion would be to keep up your current "maintenance" program (because I see no point in going backwards to accomodate the start of a plan) then starting at the appropriate lead in use his marathon novice 2 program that has you racing a half @ week 9. My opinion is that if you have the ability & time to train, taking you long runs up over the half distance really helps you when you race that distance.

bshedwick

Rybo,

Thanks for the advice. I'd rather not top out at 10 miles in training, only to have to do another 3 more, and not know that I can physically do that.

momof3and3

Rybo,

Thanks for the advice. I'd rather not top out at 10 miles in training, only to have to do another 3 more, and not know that I can physically do that.

I always run 13 miles a few weeks before my race, just so I know that I can....

mirgss

Rybo,

Thanks for the advice. I'd rather not top out at 10 miles in training, only to have to do another 3 more, and not know that I can physically do that.

If you can run 10 miles, you can run 13. It's all mental