Half Marathon

SueInAz

I have my first 1/2 marathon on 3/3. I have been using Galloway run / walk intervals of 2:1. Last weekend I had my longest run ever of 12 miles & finished in 2:45 so my goal of finishing under 3 hours looks attainable!!

I ran my first on January 15th of this year at the age of 45 and I also use Galloway's method.

I ran two short runs each week that started at 4 miles in October and gradually increased to 6 miles. I also had one long run each weekend that worked up to 11 miles two weeks before the race, then a long run of 6 miles the weekend before the race and no running for 3 days before.

On race day, a friend and I did 2.5 minute running and 1 minute walking intervals and our goal was to finish in under 2:45. We met that with a time of 2:42:42. I felt great at the end and even the next day there was no pain or any other after-effects.

I have my next half on March 25th. I'm hoping to beat my last time by a couple of minutes.

sharonsjones

I ran my first half marathon Nov 2011 and finished in 2.28. I was not real happy with the time, but it was soooo humid and where I train and live is very dry. It killed me!! I drank only water at the water stations and should have drank some sports drinks too. Lesson learned My next half marathon is March 3rd, just a few weeks away its a trail run, but I plan on beating my time. I've been running a lot of hills every run. I also am dong another half March 31st.

BAMFMeredith

I did my first half marathon last February, and finished in about 2:30. Not the quickest pace, but at least I finished! I'm running my second half on Sunday and I'm shooting for 2:15 finishing time. I'm not a fast runner by any means, but it doesn't bother me

Hopefully next year I can do the full marathon!

masonjessica11162007

I have my first Half on April 27th in Kabul Afghanistan. I have done, 5k walks and runs, 10k relays and before I go on leave back to the states and shock my entire family with this weight loss I want to prove to myself I can do anything I put my mind to. I don't plan on winning but I do want to run the entire race and finish. I work out 7 days a week now I am 26 days strong no break. I run three days a week, bike one, and use the elliptical for three. My longest run day is Wednesdays I run for 90 mintues and so far I have got up to 8.75 miles. There are so many sites out there with training plans (free) Google myfit sister you can do this.

FromMama2MILF

I am running my first half on May 7th (with my sister), and am excited to soon say that I have finished one. Since it is my first one, I'm not too concerned of my time, but mostly that I finish...and hopefully not last or hopefully not crossing it in an ambulance.

JodaNord

I am running my first half on May 7th (with my sister), and am excited to soon say that I have finished one. Since it is my first one, I'm not too concerned of my time, but mostly that I finish...and hopefully not last or hopefully not crossing it in an ambulance.

I am thinking the same way, i keep saying i want to finish on my own two feet! Having a time in mind is a goal for me to work towards, whether i get 2:30 or at least under 3 hours is relative to saying i completed one when I do!

jaxCarrie

Good luck with your training - I used Higdon and made it a 3x a week run (instead of 4) - with the long run ending every month.

I ran my first (Savannah - Rock and Roll Half) in November and came in at 2:28...my goal was under 2:45.
I ran last the Donna Breast Cancer Marathon (half) last weekend and came in at 2:17...my goal was under 2:30. (this is a big Galloway Event).
I am signed up for the Gasarilla Half in Tampa in early march...
someone else said it...but the half marathon distance is addicting! I love it....and the finisher medals.

Also, follow the advice of a lot of people on here, enjoy the scenery (and energy, energy, engery!) of your first half, stop at the water breaks and make sure you are hydrated....have fun and don't worry too much about time.

Good luck!

beachbebe

I have my 1st half marathon on 4/22 and registered to 'finish' within 2:30. I am using MFP food tracking to take help eat smart and take weigh off so its not so hard on my joints, and I am doing strength training and cross-training 2-3x and running 3-4x. My goal is to just finish injury free; however, I am hoping to get under 2:15 after ready the replies to your post. Good Luck!

warrenvalley

I ran my first half last November. My longest distance up until training was 3.5 miles and we had 11 weeks to train. We did the Hal Higdon training program and I was surprised how quickly I could increase my distances. My goal was 2:20 but ended up at 2:23 - the course was incredibly hilly and my hometown has NO hills so that completely changed the game.

Make sure you run some type of race before the half. The atmosphere is so different in a race. I was not used to so many people around so that put me off at first. I thought the best part was the people cheering us on at the roadside.

Good luck! Keep to your training program and you'll surprise yourself.

kopmom

I ran my first one last Sept 2011 at 2hr 20 minutes. Am training now for my second one April 1st, I am pretty sure I will have a better time since I have been cross training and my pace has naturally improved. Good Luck !!

kopmom

Oh I also wanted to mention I follow the Hal Higdon training program also, great program !

ktbia

My husband and I are running our first half on March 18th.
We are using Jeff Galloway's plan.. its longer than Hal Higdon's, but we only run 3 times a week- 2 30-minute runs and then long runs on the weekend.
We just did a 14K (8.7 miles) last weekend. It was a really fun race and good prep for our half.

I am slow. I average 10:30 to 11/min miles.. I am ok with that, and my speed is sloooowly getting faster. My husband is faster than me, we usually start together and then I wave and he takes off! LOL

SERinDC

At first i just wanted under 3 hours since i have never run before Sept, but as i just completed 9 miles in 90 minutes Monday, i am thinking 2:30 tops i want to finish at... But i don't know if thats realistic.

Something in Runner's World I read gave guidelines for what to set your 1/2 marathon goal as based upon your one-mile time trial:

If you run one mile in:

7 minutes----> 1:47:00 half marathon
8 minutes----> 2:02:18 half marathon
9 minutes----> 2:17:35 half marathon
10 minutes--->2:32:52 half marathon

Obviously those estimates are just that-- supposed to be used as guidelines. I'm running my first half a month from tomorrow. Good luck to you!

bjbixler

I ran my first half marathon Nov 2011 on a very hilly course in Atlanta. My goal was under 2:30, and I ran it in 2:25! I have another half this Sunday, a little less hilly than the first, so I'm hoping to beat my last time!

Congrats on preparing for your first half! I also used Hal Higdon for my first. Make sure to enjoy yourself, because you can never run your first half again! It is truly an experience! Good luck with your training!