Half Marathon advice please

I'm signing up for a half marathon which takes place on the 11th May 2013. This will be my first half marathon, I've ran in 10k events before. does anyone have any advice on how to train for the half marathon, am a little worried :)

Replies

  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
    Try looking at http://www.halhigdon.com/, there are lots of training plans there. If you have been doing 10ks you should have a good base and you will have a great half!
  • SheenaDuguid
    SheenaDuguid Posts: 33 Member
    thank you x
  • schmenge55
    schmenge55 Posts: 745 Member
    Oh, and have fun! Half is my favorite distance. :)
  • LisaO85
    LisaO85 Posts: 152
    As long as you have continued running you should be okay, but you will need to start a training program right away. Hal Higdon is always a good one and he has several levels you can choose from. Jeff Galloway also does a walk/run program.

    The most important thing to remember for your first half is to just go out and enjoy yourself.
  • ryblueeyes
    ryblueeyes Posts: 257 Member
    Check out Runkeeper, they have several different half marathon training plans to choose from. I'm starting Week 6 of the Sub 2:30 plan. It's my first half, and it seems to be going well.

    http://runkeeper.com/search/fitness-classes/running/half-marathon

    Good luck on your training!
  • ajzmann
    ajzmann Posts: 147 Member
    I did my first last year...Hal Higdon's plans are great...I have used them for anything over a 5K (I think it's a confidence thing...if I stick to the plan, I can run that distance).

    Good luck! I'm running my second this June!
  • jooonesy
    jooonesy Posts: 86 Member
    I just signed up for RunKeeper's training plan and it looks great! Fingers crossed that it actually works!
  • Hal Higdon is great for beginners as has already been said. Just keep running, listen to your body and rest when you need to and you'll do fine. You will also be hooked after the first, fair warning. 1/2 marathons are my favorite!
  • urbansmamma
    urbansmamma Posts: 202 Member
    Congrats on the 10K, that's a great accomplishment! You can totally do a half marathon, they are so much fun!!. Remember that it's a process give yourself 4 months, be consistent with your training and build slowly. Never miss a long run and try to do most of your short/mid runs. It's 80% Mental and 20% skill. Don't get overwhelmed and take things slowly. I remember when I started training for my first half the 13.1 overwhelmed me, but remember you will have 4 months to build up to that distance. Pick a great race that is relatively flat and don't run with a goal time in mind, but most importantly have FUN!!!
  • SheenaDuguid
    SheenaDuguid Posts: 33 Member
    thanks guys. Training is going well, so far.

    I have come across terms like TEMPO training, on the plans I have downloaded.

    It said run 5 mins warm up, 5 mins easy pace, 5 mins fast, 5 mins easy, 5 mins fast, 5 mins cool down (to start with) and then to build this up so there are longer fast periods and shorter easy pace ones. Is this correct. does anyone have any other advice?

    Thank you
    x
  • what923
    what923 Posts: 100 Member
    TEMPO usually applies to runs at a moderately faster pace but for a longer distance (2-4 miles). This sounds like more working up for SPEEDWORK which usually involves fast running for a mile then 1/2 mile recovery, etc. But maybe your plan is different. At least it is working up the endurance slowly. Does your plan also give you target paces to complete the run at?

    I use the free version of SmartCoach and it will ready EASY run 5 mi @ 10:00 or
    TMEPO run 5 mi including warm up and 3 mi @ 9:06
    SPEEDWORK 4 mi inc. warm up; 2x1600 @ 8:30 w/ 800 (meters) recovery jog & cool down

    Best of luck..I'll also warn about the addiction. After my first half I wasn't sure I'd ever do another 1/2 even but then with strength training, etc my running got a lot better and last year I did 3 halfs and my first FULL. Just keep challenging yourself and you'll never get bored!
  • M_lifts
    M_lifts Posts: 2,218 Member
    good luck! I run my first half in March. Ive used training plans from runners world and hal higdons plans. I try and run about 4 times a week, short runs during the week and a long run at the weekend. If you can do 10ks then you easliy build up your distance. find a training plan that works for you and start training. Run with a partner/club if you can as its great motivation