runners: ready for a half marathon in one month?

sarah307

ATTENTION RUNNERS

Okay, there is a half marathon in ONE MONTH that is in memory of 161 people who lost their lives last year from a tornado in a town about an hour from where I live. I really, REALLY want to run in the race because I am personally connected to this. The furthest distance I've ran EVER was 11 miles back in Dec. I consider my long distance runs now about 7 miles - 9 miles. I try to do one long distance run a week.

*DO YOU THINK I CAN BE READY FOR A HALF MARATHON IN ONE MONTH???*

thanks so much for your comments and advice and support!

Also, what kind of running schedule should I do since it is down to one month time?? because most of the training schedules are 2 to 3 months time??

COOKINATOR

Im not sure but I think you can give it your best shot......After all you are doing it for a great cause......You talking about the one for Joplin?

sarah307

Im not sure but I think you can give it your best shot......After all you are doing it for a great cause......You talking about the one for Joplin?

that is correct!

xraychick77

if you regularly run 8-9 miles then a few extra should be no problem for you

kaitimae

Sounds like you should be good to go! My first half, I trained like crazy, only ran 9 miles as my longest run, and had a wonderful time.

I am doing my 6th half next month and haven't been doing a lot of running. Lots of weight lifting and cycling, but nothing else. I'll still do the half, even though it will probably be difficult. You are in much better shape, so I think you'll be fine!

neverstray

If you run 7-9, you can easily run a half.

chuckyp

Sounds like you can pull it off, but remember you can always walk a portion if you need to. Sounds like the cause is more important to you than your finish time anyway. Good luck!

godblessourhome

i think you would be able to be ready in a month if you are already used to doing a longish run once a week.

i would do:
9.5 this week
5-6 next week
11 third week
4 last week
half marathon

in addition to two short 3 miles runs each week. good luck!

lilyfluffbottom

I think you'll be fine as long as you're running on a regular basis. As previously mentioned you can always walk if you need to. Maybe get an 11miler in next week or two. Good luck!

ambeer2

I think you can do it. That adrenaline you'll have race day will help push you through 13 — just make sure you don't run too fast the first mile!

Did some Googling and found this link about "The Monster Month" from Runner's World that might be helpful:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-255-8820-0,00.html

I haven't run a half, but am training for a 10K in June and 15K in November. I'd imagine if you just increase your mileage on your long run days by a mile each week, but make sure to rest, you'll be good to go.

sarah307

oh my gosh! thanks everyone for such great advice!!! I am definitely going to sign up!!!

the worst that can happen is that I walk the last two miles ?! so why not attempt!! i've heard that the adrenaline really gets you through the last part though!

THANKS!

wolfchild59

If you can already run 9 miles, and have run 11 miles in the past, I'd bet that you could just jump into the last month of a training schedule and be just fine. I've done that in the past with training schedules when I had a shortened time from the full schedule vs the time I had before the race I signed up for.

I increased my mileage by a mile each week when I was training for my half and then did just one taper run before, but taper runs aren't required and are totally a personal preference.

So you could do four weeks of starting at 9, then 10, 11, 12, and then the Half on your long run days and be just fine.

I used a modified Hal Higdon plan for my half training and I felt really ready and good to go the morning of my run. My training schedule was:
Sunday - Long run
Monday - Strength, full body
Tuesday - Mid-length run (usually just under half the length of the long run distance)
Wednesday - alternated weeks of fartleks and hill training since I wanted to improve pace and my half was in San Francisco, but this could easily be another regular run night or cross cardio night.
Thursday - Strength, full body and a three mile run
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 45-60 minutes of cross cardio

I think that you could easily jump into something from where you are and do an awesome job.

hailz840

i too am using hal hidgon's training plan -at least it is loosely based on this. i plan to run 10mile maximum before the half. look forward to hearing your progress and the run sounds like it is for a good cause

amusco_rn

You'll do great. I ran my 1st only 3 weeks after completing my 1st 10K. Essentially no prep - longest run before the half was 9 miles, and I only did that once.

what a motivational reason!

tenunderfour

Yes, you will be fine. The Runnersworld SmartCoach app can guide you with a program based on the number of weeks you have left.

polar135

You can totally do it, just set up good work out schedule (I run 5 miles Tuesday trail style, 6 miles on Thursday Trail style, and then on the weekend i do my long runs on the weekend. (Started @ 7 and now up to 11 miles) My first half is in about ten days.

going to do 13 miles trail style this weekend. Can't wait!

sarah307

okay guys!!

i am officially signed up for the half marathon! i'll let you guys know how it goes!