25k (or half marathon)

Lynnmi07

I'm just wondering for those of you that run how long did you train for your race and what was your condition like when you started.

My reason for asking this is, I have been planning on training for a 25K since Dec. I have on and off but not as well as I should have been. Now I have 10 weeks to really get to work before the race. I have ran 25K's in the past but I'm a good 40lbs heavier and my base fitness isn't as good. I'm just wondering if 10 weeks is a long enough time. Back towards the end of January and first couple weeks of February I ran 5 miles for my long run like 4 weeks in a row, then I got lazy and really haven't done much running for the past few weeks.

I'm planning on really tightening up my diet and lose some pounds and I'm sure that will help (I'm hoping to go from 195 now, to 170's by middle of May when the race is). I'm trying to decide if I should start this week with my long run being 6 miles and add a mile for subsequent weeks, or at this point if I should just run for time, and build up to how long I think I'll be running the race. Any ideas??

Pickles11

Have you tried following any training plans, like hal higdon? Also, on runnersworld.com you can use "smart coach" which you can input your more recent race times as well as the amount of time you want to train for. I haven't raced that far (yet) so I can't give you any more specific advice than that. Good luck!

Laura86

If you are able to do 6 miles now I think 10 weeks would be enough time. Before my first half marathon the longest I ran was 7 miles. It wasn't the most enjoyable race I've ever ran but I was able to finish. And I agree with Pickles, Hal Higdon has awesome training plans, I want to say his half marathon plans are around 12-14 weeks long, but not positive. Just don't try to make up for lost time by cramming a lot of long runs in during the last two weeks before the half marathon! Make sure that you leave some time to taper and recover before the race. Hope this helps and good luck!