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txbandman
txbandman Posts: 78
in Introduce Yourself
My first day on the site, and glad to see the wide range of experience here. I need some help from some of the more experienced runners. I run several 5K and 10K races every year, but would really like to push myself to do a half-marathon. My long run so far is only 8.1 miles, but was at about an 8:20/mile pace. What should my approach be to working up to the longer distance?

Replies

  • donrdon
    donrdon Posts: 216 Member
    Welcome, always good to see another runner on the site. I've been running for about 2 years now. I ran 4 1/2's last year and have 2 halves and 2 full marathons scheduled for this year (training now for my first ever full in June). If you're interest in motivation or just some conversation on running/training feel free to add me as a friend.
  • myvgurl
    myvgurl Posts: 31
    When I started running, I found interval training to be my best friend. I would set up a goal to run a certain amount of time (usually an hour) and then I would just keep going and see how far I could run during that time. My longest run is 9 mi but that was a couple of months ago and I need to get back up there before I do the Spartan Beast again in December. Are you doing any races coming up?
  • txbandman
    txbandman Posts: 78
    I have a 5K scheduled this Saturday ("Shake, Rattle and Stroll" - it's a benefit for the Alamo Chapter of Parkinson's Disease group), but I don't have any 10K or longer races scheduled right now.
    If I understand "interval training", it has been really beneficial to me, but I hate doing it. My "interval training" has been running a 400 all out (about 90 seconds), then walking 400m, then running again - usually about 6 cycles of running then recovery. Is that real interval training, or am I doing something different? Like I said, I don't enjoy it - I would rather run 6 miles than do those six 400s.
    Is the Spartan Beast in SA, and I'm guessing it's an obstacle run, right?
  • txbandman
    txbandman Posts: 78
    Thanks for the response, donrdon. I have gotten a lot of conflicting information about when I would be ready to run a half. Some running friends have told me I'm ready now. Running websites say if I'm running 20-25 miles a week, then I am ready to start training for a half. I don't think I have ever logged more than 15 miles in a week, and most are under 10.
    One of the other things holding me back is my work schedule. The big race months in TX (Oct, Nov, March) are really my busiest times of the year - not much time to put in extra training, and very few free weekends. (Obviously from your picture, you don't live in TX) But in your opinion, how huge of a mistake would it be for me to try to run my first half in June in TX - probably 80 degrees at 8:00 am?
  • myvgurl
    myvgurl Posts: 31
    The Spartan Beast is a half mile obstacle course race in December in Glen Rose, TX., about 3 hrs north of here. This is going to be my second year doing it and I can't wait!! With interval training, you're doing it one way but you can try to increase the length of your "all out" intervals and shorten your "rest" intervals until you're comfortable running the entire time. Adidas has their MiCoach app that can set up custom running plans for you. You input how far you can run now, how far you'd like to run and in how fast you want to achieve your goal. How are you handling running outside in the heat so far? I went for a 6 mile run last week (around 80 degrees) and it was so hard with this heat! I'm still getting adjusted. Do you run with a water pack?

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