Half a mile to half marathon in 4 months?

LJSmith1989

I signed up to a half marathon on the 19th September. I can currently run contiously for half a mile. I don't think I will be ready by the 15th. I want to run the whole thing.

I have got a few practice runs booked on the way. On the 23rd June I am doing a 7 mile run.

Does anyone think this is possible?

calaz84

I did a half with right around 4 to 4 and half months of training. Do you have any running groups around you to join that will help.

xiamjackie

Just curious to what made you want to do a half marathon when you can only run a half mile now? I can run about 6 miles now and a half marathon intimidates me. Good luck to you! Just think it's a very big goal to pick without steps in between.

MightyDomo

You are definitely going to have to be strict on your training and hope that you don't get injured or sick so that you do not get any set-backs. Personally I would think it's a better idea to take a year to train up to a 1/2 marathon and at least another 6 months to get to doing a full marathon just so that your body has good rest time and build time to get there.

Best of luck!

taffies

You have to decide what your goal for the half marathon is! Is it to run continuously or to finish? I ran a half marathon in March and my goal was to FINISH! I was able to run MOST of the race with a few walk breaks in between, I found this to be common based on those running the half with me. I used a training application to get ready called 13.1 for PINK.

The biggest lesson that I learned for running a half is to set your own personal goal and run YOUR race!

aymetcalf

You can do it - you need a structured training plan. For me, I used a Tues/Thurs/Sat approach.

Tuesday/Thursday: Start w half a mile for 2 weeks, 1 mile for 2 weeks, 2 mile for 2 weeks.... up to 5mile runs...

Saturdays: long run days. Start with 1 mile then add a mile each week (it is FINE if you have to walk some of the distance, just do a run/walk combo to get the miles in). Try to get a 10miler in 2 weeks before race day.

:flowerforyou:

LJSmith1989

Just curious to what made you want to do a half marathon when you can only run a half mile now? I can run about 6 miles now and a half marathon intimidates me. Good luck to you! Just think it's a very big goal to pick without steps in between.

I'm not sure. Bravery? or stupidity? probably the latter...

cwolfman13

I personally think this is a bad idea. Generally people train for a 5K first...and even that can take 2-3 months depending. 1/2 mile to 1/2 marathon in 4 months is just a recipe for over training and injury.

calaz84

You can do it - you need a structured training plan. For me, I used a Tues/Thurs/Sat approach.

Tuesday/Thursday: Start w half a mile for 2 weeks, 1 mile for 2 weeks, 2 mile for 2 weeks.... up to 5mile runs...

Saturdays: long run days. Start with 1 mile then add a mile each week (it is FINE if you have to walk some of the distance, just do a run/walk combo to get the miles in). Try to get a 10miler in 2 weeks before race day.

:flowerforyou:

This is what I did when I did mine but we had a group of us running helped a lot

Boz1625

That's 21 weeks to train, which is more than doable. There are many beginner half-marathon programs out there.

I used the Hal Higdon beginner half-marathon program after I completed the Couch to 5K program. I had never run before this.

I started running on December 14 and ran the Half in April. I ran a 5K and a 10K race to prepare for the half. Be smart and only run on the prescribed days and get some cross training like bicycling and walking and you can definitely do it. Pay attention to your body.

Good luck, and most importantly, have fun. It's a wonderful journey.

ctpeace

Don't listen to those who want to place their own intimidation on you! Yes, you can! It will be a ton of work, but you can do it. I suggest you check out Jeff Galloway's Run/walk method (p.s. I don't get a single cent from him and you can get the basics of his plan on his website for free). I did this for my first half after not running for years! You will probably want to find out what the time limit on the race is, so you have a goal, and I highly recommend focusing on just going the distance rather than time. Run/walk is a great way to get your mileage up quickly. On long days, I often run 5min walk 1min, if you're not there yet, you can run 1 walk 1 or whatever you need to do. This is a great goal!

Edit: Seriously? I can't believe how intimidated some of you are by running longer distances! I ran my first long race in high school (full marathon, that was a looooong time ago!) and my XC coach actually tried to talk me out of it! Boy am I glad I didn't listen to her, especially since she ran one a few months later and was about 40 min slower than me! As long as you get on a good training plan and are willing to do the work, you CAN do this!
And congrats to all those who have! (Did you notice all the people who've actually done one have told you to go for it?)

LJSmith1989

Thanks for the advise

I am looking at a few training plans.Probably need to find a running group.

Steffani911

Every half training program I've found starts with 3 mile runs. It's possible you could do this, but you are going to have to be very structured with your runs and careful not to overtrain and hurt yourself. I ran my first 5k 2 weeks ago, and I'm not doing a half until mid-October.

RedHotRunner

Will you be able to finish? Yes. Will you be able to run the whole thing? That's very questionable. Like someone else said, most training plans start at 3 miles.

Google Hal Hidgon and Jeff Galloway. Most people recommend their training plans for novices.

Also to note, you'll need more than a "few" practice runs. Most plans call for running anywhere between 6 and 12 miles once a week.

caoceanlover

There is a Couch to Half Marathon app for iphone and android. It is similar to Couch to 5K in that it gives you the run walk approach until you can run the whole thing. A training group is also one of the best things you can join to get there. You can do it, you have 21 weeks.

LJSmith1989

Will you be able to finish? Yes. Will you be able to run the whole thing? That's very questionable. Like someone else said, most training plans start at 3 miles.

Google Hal Hidgon and Jeff Galloway. Most people recommend their training plans for novices.

Also to note, you'll need more than a "few" practice runs. Most plans call for running anywhere between 6 and 12 miles once a week.

by a "few" I mean't other runs that I have entered.
Thanks

RedHotRunner

Will you be able to finish? Yes. Will you be able to run the whole thing? That's very questionable. Like someone else said, most training plans start at 3 miles.

Google Hal Hidgon and Jeff Galloway. Most people recommend their training plans for novices.

Also to note, you'll need more than a "few" practice runs. Most plans call for running anywhere between 6 and 12 miles once a week.

by a "few" I mean't other runs that I have entered.
Thanks

That makes better sense. I just ran my 8th half marathon last weekend. It's very rewarding. Good luck to you.

BeccaAnderton

I did my first half marathon in September last year and I started training in April. I was fit, but I could barely run for 90 seconds without feeling like I was going to die. I had injuries, and a few weeks off, I still ran the whole thing (very slowly; 12 minute miles), but I did it. It is doable, just be strict with your training, don't run when you've injured yourself (like I did), eat right, pace yourself, look for support and you'll be absolutely fine Even if you have to walk some a completed half marathon is an achievement in itself! Good luck!

LJSmith1989

I am probably going to follow
C25K to get me to 3 miles and then Hal Hidgon (although I will only have 10 weeks to go) with the aim of finishing, not running the whole thing :P

redhead1910

It took me 6 months to train for my half marathon. I would give yourself a little more time so you don't have to worry about being ready in such a short time crunch.

marcvandenberg

if you do a firm walk it's 4 hours.

So anything faster is the goal.

Yes it will hurt.
Yes U feel great.
Yes U can do it.

So please ad some pics the day after...

LJSmith1989

if you do a firm walk it's 4 hours.

So anything faster is the goal.

Yes it will hurt.
Yes U feel great.
Yes U can do it.

So please ad some pics the day after...

Like it.

sammyneb

You can do it. i just ran my third half on Sunday. It was the first I ran the whole thing. When you say you want to run the whole thing, I would suggest for your first...walk through the water stops. And train that way. When you training schedule gets you up to 10--11 miles...look at the course map of the half you are doing..see where they have water stops..and on your long training runs walk and take water at those same mile markers (and if they have gatoradate or power aid figure out what kind they will have and train with that)..it will make your race day a little easier.
Other than that, find a training plan that fits into your life and FOLLOW IT.
Find someone to run with, maybe not all runs, but for some runs.
DON"T TRY TO RUN TO FAST!!! seriously the biggest mistake I think almost all first time runners make (including myself!)
And make your goal to finish, don't set a time. Trust me after you run one, you will sign up for a second one, use the second one to make a time goal ;-)

Runs4Wine

Yes it's enough time to train and be ready to cross the finish line.

I have done about 5 half marathons and I have not once been able to run the whole thing, but I have a blast and have set personal records along the way.

While I had up to a 10K under my belt before taking on a 1/2 (due to my own intimidation factor and training time commitment) there are plans out there to take you from nothing to a half. Like others said be diligent in your training. Do not try to do too much too fast so you can avoid injuries.

The key to running success is properly fitted running shoes and good breathing. The rest is all mental - well for the most part.

ryry_

What are you stats? Height, weight, etc.

I think 16 weeks is more than doable. You can add miles much faster than you think. At worst you could run/walk it just fine with a good training plan. May not get the best time but the experience is worth it. For your weekend long runs, you could aim for something simple like below. During the week just get in 2-3 runs in the 2-5 mile area once you work up to it.

Week 1 – 1 Mile
Week 2 – 1.5 Miles
3 – 2 Miles
4 – 2.5 Miles
5 – 3 Miles
6 – 4 Miles
7 – 5 Miles
8 – 6
9-7
10-8
11-10
12-8
13-12
14-10
15-6
16- Race Week

ETA: If you are significantly overweight and have pain problems with movement, this advice changes.

vmclach

Please disregard all this negative advice!

When I was in High school I was a smoker. I started smoking when I was 16. I didn't know who I was. I was unathletic, overweight, etc.

When I started college, I wanted to quit smoking, so I began running. I fell in love with running actually. I started running April 2011, and by August 2011 I was running on a college cross country & track team.

I'm sick of hearing people telling you NOT to do it.

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!!!!!!

And honestly, I wish I would have ran my first marathon sooner than I did. I waited because I was scared. but there is nothing to be afraid of. I love your fearlessness. I wish you luck

Don't listen to those who want to place their own intimidation on you! Yes, you can! It will be a ton of work, but you can do it. I suggest you check out Jeff Galloway's Run/walk method (p.s. I don't get a single cent from him and you can get the basics of his plan on his website for free). I did this for my first half after not running for years! You will probably want to find out what the time limit on the race is, so you have a goal, and I highly recommend focusing on just going the distance rather than time. Run/walk is a great way to get your mileage up quickly. On long days, I often run 5min walk 1min, if you're not there yet, you can run 1 walk 1 or whatever you need to do. This is a great goal!

Edit: Seriously? I can't believe how intimidated some of you are by running longer distances! I ran my first long race in high school (full marathon, that was a looooong time ago!) and my XC coach actually tried to talk me out of it! Boy am I glad I didn't listen to her, especially since she ran one a few months later and was about 40 min slower than me! As long as you get on a good training plan and are willing to do the work, you CAN do this!
And congrats to all those who have! (Did you notice all the people who've actually done one have told you to go for it?)

vmclach

Just curious to what made you want to do a half marathon when you can only run a half mile now? I can run about 6 miles now and a half marathon intimidates me. Good luck to you! Just think it's a very big goal to pick without steps in between.

I'm not sure. Bravery? or stupidity? probably the latter...

It's just a half marathon people. If the OP wants to do it. LET HIM DO IT! What happened to encouragement?

pinkraynedropjacki

Took me 4 months to run my 1st 10km race, I'd never been able to run more than 10 meters before that. You want to run 21km in that time & you can on run 1.6km right now? Yeah good luck. It took me running daily to get to 10km, even when sick, even with shin splints. Good luck with that. You might be able to run half of that distance if you train daily.

meeper123

Only those who risk going to far can possibly know how far one can go.

You can do it

GiddyupTim

With all due respect to vmclach, she was 18 years old when she made such a drastic change and had such astounding success. It gets a little harder when you are a bit older.
But, you are -- I am guessing, based on your avatar name -- 24 years old.
I am a very experienced runner and I think what you are trying to do is overly ambitious. But, if you want to try, go ahead.
The only advice I would give is: Don't go so hard that you end up hating running, and quit, after the race/before the race. Running can be so beneficial. It would be a shame to do this and then quit. Better then to skip the race and establish a running habit.

RunnerElizabeth

Of course you can do it! You just have to work at it.

In June of last year I just started running 5k without walking and my average time was 38 minutes. For some reason someone talked me into a half marathon in October, and it turned out that for the half I entered they take the clock down at 2 and a half hours. So I started my half plan in mid july last year (12 week plan based on 4 days a week of running for a sub 2:30 half) for an October half. Late august I did a 5k pushing the jogging stroller to practice racing and my 5k time was down to 29:52. By the time I ran the half, I stayed with my slower sister and we ran it in 2:21:30. I felt great after too, like I could have kept running.

That being said, I think the plan I used was overkill. It made me extremely confident that I could make sub 2:30, but I could have probably done that with a less intense plan. I just used Higdon's novice 2 for my last half, a lot less running but I easily got a new PR.