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Training for 1/2 Marathon

haymancm
haymancm Posts: 280 Member
edited February 6 in Fitness and Exercise
What made you decide to start training for a 1/2? And at what point did you decide to push yourself to just do it? How long did it take you to train as a beginner?

Back in May, I started training for my first 5k in July...I have not been a runner in more than 25 years. Since then, I've been training for a 10k for May 2014. But, after today's walk/run of 7 miles (even though I was in some pain), I thought that I hey-hey! I can do this! I just did 7 miles all at once vs breaking it up in a day!! On average, I run/walk 5 miles/day.

Replies

  • jaysull21
    jaysull21 Posts: 58
    First off , congrats.

    After my 2nd 5k this year (the first that I was able to run the whole way), a co-worker who does half-marathons kinda nudged me that way. I didn't take her serious, but she told me I had plenty of time to train for one with her and her husband 8 weeks from then. I didn't take her up on her offer, because I didn't think I would ever be ready, but decided that I would add mileage each week just to see what I could do. Did 5 miles one week, then 6.5 , then 8..... slowed down a bit .... I started to play around with the idea that I could actually do it ..... and just kept adding ... at 10 miles I decided I finally did sign up for one five weeks away..... So happy that I did. Would have liked to get more long runs in, but I felt I was relatively prepared. Finished at my goal time, which seemed a little ambitious I thought. That was last Sunday (10/13) :happy:
  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 924 Member
    I used the runners world "smart coach" to plan for me (free version). I gave myself 6 months so I could have room to work with since I was pretty out of shape and an asthmatic. Ran my first one through and through (although slow)...but didn't have to stop once and wasnt sore at all.
  • layne_mat
    layne_mat Posts: 9 Member
    I started running last year, and I have found that once I finished the C25K program I thought to myself "Ok, now what?" I then proceeded to 10k, then it was "Ok, now what?" again. I just finished a half marathon three weeks ago. I had a four month training program that took me four and a half months as I took some rest time off to heal. I just downloaded an app that had one. I don't really train with anyone, the need to contantly have a new goal set in! Going to try and do a full marathon next summer.

    I noticed you said you finished the 10k in some pain, and the advice I would give is listen to your body if you decide to push your distance! I injured myself last year by pushing too hard too fast and did not get to run for three months! So if you are sore take a day or two off. The half marathon program I used was 4 runs a week max, but it gets you to run serious kilometers by the end.

    Take care of your feet, watch for blisters, invest in a tube of body glide, and observe proper rest and you can easily finish!
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    Thanks for the advice & everyone's huge accomplishments!! It's nice to have support when dealing with the thought of "I've never done that before!" I have not ran in a 10k, but have been training for it since July with running & walking...I still cannot run a full 3 miles @ once. My intervals are comfy cozy running .1 mile & walking .05 miles or until my hrm drops to a certain heart rate. I have really been pushing myself lately working on my speed with HIIT, especially after today's 7 miles at once. I feel good about giving myself 7 months to train for the 1/2. I'm sure that as my heart gets stronger, I'll have no problem increasing the duration. I have a couple friends who have or are in the process of training for a 1/2, which is nice. I believe that tomorrow is a definite walk day!! oy
  • librarygirlontherun
    librarygirlontherun Posts: 32 Member
    You really need a solid base of running before you jump up to a 1/2. I have been a runner my entire life and have ran several 1/2's. The distance is "Mom" friendly. That being said I "slacked" this fall and did not train. I simply ran a 1/2 a week ago. BIG MISTAKE! My best half to date is a 2:12 well the one I simply ran was a 2:20, AND I HAD TO WALK! Moral to the story? If you are going to race 13.1 or above you must, Must, MUST run atleast 4 days a week and mix things up with tempo, speedwork and probably the most important thing of all running S-L-O-W during your longest run of the week.
  • sm_usagi
    sm_usagi Posts: 89 Member
    Honestly, I was bored! I wanted something to work towards. I did my first 5K last year, and another one earlier this year, and decided I wanted to do something substantial.

    I'm in week 5 of a 12-16 week training program (mostly Hal Higdon's novice plan, depending on how long I stretch it out). This weekend was my second go at running 6 miles, I felt good afterwards. I'm just training on my own.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    Thanks for the advice & everyone's huge accomplishments!! It's nice to have support when dealing with the thought of "I've never done that before!" I have not ran in a 10k, but have been training for it since July with running & walking...I still cannot run a full 3 miles @ once. My intervals are comfy cozy running .1 mile & walking .05 miles or until my hrm drops to a certain heart rate. I have really been pushing myself lately working on my speed with HIIT, especially after today's 7 miles at once. I feel good about giving myself 7 months to train for the 1/2. I'm sure that as my heart gets stronger, I'll have no problem increasing the duration. I have a couple friends who have or are in the process of training for a 1/2, which is nice. I believe that tomorrow is a definite walk day!! oy
    Maybe I'm not understanding, but looks like in the 3 months you have been training you are not able to run 3 miles? And in 7 months you plan to run 13 miles? I would suggest working first on running a 5k (or a few) then slowly work your mileage up (running). I personally was not ready for any big distance after less than a year of running, I have been running since 2011 and just ran a 10 mile run and am considering a half in may. Personally if you don't have a good base of running at least 5 miles by now it's pretty aggressive to run a half in 7 months.
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    Once I could run 5k without stopping (albeit slowly, 40 mins all running), I started a 5k plan to get faster with the thoughts of doing a specific 10k 4 months out. But it turned out my sister was doing a half marathon the day before the 10k I was looking at, so I trained for and ran my first HM in October of 2012. Ran my 2nd in May 2013, my 3rd October 2013 and I have my 4th next month.

    Yes, I've nearly run 4 HMs in the year and a half I've been able to run 5k, but my body was very willing to adapt to a 20 mile a week base which I carried for months before building to 30+ per week.

    Just don't rush it too much. I haven't had much of anything to deal with in the way of injury. I'm not injury prone, I know that now, but building quickly like I did was a risk. It does help though that I'm a slower runner. So far my pr is 10 min per mile for a HM and I can't get into the 9s. Slow running is better for injury prevention.
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    I would say run the 10K before you decide to run the half. Then find a good training plan that you can fit to your lifestyle. I ran my first half in Feb. last year using HH Novice 1 and was hurting for the last 2 miles. Recovered and then trained using train like a mother finish it plan for a May half. So much different. I finished feeling strong and was able to be up and about that day without soreness/fatigue.
  • kaylarunshappy
    kaylarunshappy Posts: 19
    You really need a solid base of running before you jump up to a 1/2. I have been a runner my entire life and have ran several 1/2's. The distance is "Mom" friendly. That being said I "slacked" this fall and did not train. I simply ran a 1/2 a week ago. BIG MISTAKE! My best half to date is a 2:12 well the one I simply ran was a 2:20, AND I HAD TO WALK! Moral to the story? If you are going to race 13.1 or above you must, Must, MUST run atleast 4 days a week and mix things up with tempo, speedwork and probably the most important thing of all running S-L-O-W during your longest run of the week.

    I totally agree with this one.
    I think Hal Higdon's Half-Marathon Novice 1 program wants you to be able to run 3 miles a few times a week before attempting the plan. You def want to build a solid base before diving in.
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    You really need a solid base of running before you jump up to a 1/2. I have been a runner my entire life and have ran several 1/2's. The distance is "Mom" friendly. That being said I "slacked" this fall and did not train. I simply ran a 1/2 a week ago. BIG MISTAKE! My best half to date is a 2:12 well the one I simply ran was a 2:20, AND I HAD TO WALK! Moral to the story? If you are going to race 13.1 or above you must, Must, MUST run atleast 4 days a week and mix things up with tempo, speedwork and probably the most important thing of all running S-L-O-W during your longest run of the week.

    I totally agree with this one.
    I think Hal Higdon's Half-Marathon Novice 1 program wants you to be able to run 3 miles a few times a week before attempting the plan. You def want to build a solid base before diving in.

    Ironically, I found this site just about an hour ago! It is very less intimidating, putting my strategy to rest & follow this one. With 6+ months of training, I feel much more confident to finish. I read that I've been running too fast, which is why I've been burning out much quicker. A comfy cozy pace for me right now is only @ 4.3-4.5 mph, but have been training on my HIITS doing 5-6.3 mph. I've been walk/running for the last few months, since completing my 5k over the summer. I've completed an average of 5 miles/day this month, already finishing 99 miles. I did read that my focus should be on a comfy cozy talking pace vs a speed race to finish the miles in the workouts. I did not honestly know I was going too fast.

    Thank you for recommending this site as well!!
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    Once I could run 5k without stopping (albeit slowly, 40 mins all running), I started a 5k plan to get faster with the thoughts of doing a specific 10k 4 months out. But it turned out my sister was doing a half marathon the day before the 10k I was looking at, so I trained for and ran my first HM in October of 2012. Ran my 2nd in May 2013, my 3rd October 2013 and I have my 4th next month.

    Yes, I've nearly run 4 HMs in the year and a half I've been able to run 5k, but my body was very willing to adapt to a 20 mile a week base which I carried for months before building to 30+ per week.

    Just don't rush it too much. I haven't had much of anything to deal with in the way of injury. I'm not injury prone, I know that now, but building quickly like I did was a risk. It does help though that I'm a slower runner. So far my pr is 10 min per mile for a HM and I can't get into the 9s. Slow running is better for injury prevention.

    Normally, I walk/run in my HIITS about 5+ miles on average. My 5k I ran in July was @ 39 minutes, & I felt pretty awesome considering I just started running in May. But, after today's run/walk of 7 miles really pushed myself, as I'd never done 7 miles before...even just walking, I really exhausted myself physically & mentally!! With that other site, I like how the workouts are set pretty easy with one big run during the week. I may have been pushing myself too hard too fast. Plus, the workout plan is for 12 weeks, but can be doubled into 24 weeks for a newbie, like me. That my focus should be on a constant run in distance, not in speed for a sprint, even if it's @ a slow 4.3-4.5 mph pace. I've read that speed will come with time, right? :)
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    You really need a solid base of running before you jump up to a 1/2. I have been a runner my entire life and have ran several 1/2's. The distance is "Mom" friendly. That being said I "slacked" this fall and did not train. I simply ran a 1/2 a week ago. BIG MISTAKE! My best half to date is a 2:12 well the one I simply ran was a 2:20, AND I HAD TO WALK! Moral to the story? If you are going to race 13.1 or above you must, Must, MUST run atleast 4 days a week and mix things up with tempo, speedwork and probably the most important thing of all running S-L-O-W during your longest run of the week.

    I totally agree with this one.
    I think Hal Higdon's Half-Marathon Novice 1 program wants you to be able to run 3 miles a few times a week before attempting the plan. You def want to build a solid base before diving in.

    Ironically, I found this site just about an hour ago! It is very less intimidating, putting my strategy to rest & follow this one. With 6+ months of training, I feel much more confident to finish. I read that I've been running too fast, which is why I've been burning out much quicker. A comfy cozy pace for me right now is only @ 4.3-4.5 mph, but have been training on my HIITS doing 5-6.3 mph. I've been walk/running for the last few months, since completing my 5k over the summer. I've completed an average of 5 miles/day this month, already finishing 99 miles. I did read that my focus should be on a comfy cozy talking pace vs a speed race to finish the miles in the workouts. I did not honestly know I was going too fast.

    Thank you for recommending this site as well!!
    4 mph is not too fast.
  • syk731
    syk731 Posts: 34 Member
    I just ran my first half, which was also my first race, ever. I have been running off and on for most of my adult life, but never any races and not very seriously. I started running in March or April after not running all winter. I started in the middle of c25k. I finished that and did c210k. I didn't do a specific training plan after that, but generally ran one long run per week and gradually increased the distance of the long run, and also ran 1-2 medium runs per week and the rest of the days ran a 5K. I didn't increase my long run for most of the summer (stuck at about 7-8 miles) but I also sometimes ran it twice and sometimes 3x/week, depending on my schedule. I was running about 30 miles/week at the end of the summer.

    I just decided a few weeks ago to register for a half. I had run a long run of 10 miles by that point and my fastest pace for the long run was 11 min/mile. But I ran the half at a 9:30 pace, which I couldn't believe!
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I'd run a few 10ks last year, and so made running a half one of my - well, they weren't so much New Year's Resolutions, more 13 challenges and fun things I set for myself to achieve in 2013.

    I was obviously the first person to sign up for the Lisburn Half, as I was number 1! I followed a 12 week training programme, including taking up weekly ParkRuns as 5k speed work.
  • Cooriander
    Cooriander Posts: 2,848 Member
    I started doing the ARC in 2011 (elliptical type of machine), and then did some 5Ks in the Fall. I did not train on the road for those 5Ks and that turned out to be a mistake. You need road mileage for road races (sounds silly and obvious in hindsight huh?). As a consequence of not training on roads I injured myself (Achilles), and while it was deemed runnable by health professionals, it is still bothering today! Shish I really regret not being more prepared ...

    In the Spring 2012, a runner that I met at a race invited me to participate in an April relay - I was to run two 6 mile legs. My longest distance to date, as of January (and in my midlife years) was 3.1 miles. I signed up for a late February 10K, to motivate me more to build up my mileage (and prepare for the relay). After completing the relay in April I signed up for my first half (slated for May). I loved the half!

    I signed up for my a marathon in October 2012 - but then increased my mileage too dramatically and ended up with a heel stress fracture, hip injury, and bursitis. I eventually healed, but due to life, my parents needed me more, they both passed about a month apart in 2013. I was close to both my parents. My mother passed last, and in my home, peacefully. After my mother's funeral I was grief struck (it was a delayed), and it took some time to adjust.

    To deal with my new state, I thought, I should commit to a marathon, so I signed up with a friend. It did not really work... initially. I was just not motivated. Eventually, I started adjusting and was able to focus on training. I got my mileage in to prepare but barely, it was still enough to cross the marathon finish line. And the experience was spiritual. I felt that my parents were there.

    I am doing a couple more marathons, and I hope to be better prepared. Next up is Disney, and I will just enjoy the environment on that one, and following that is June marathon that I am hoping to press for a good time, and train for.

    For me Running definitely has had ups and downs, but it is something that is so rewarding, and transforming.
  • raige123
    raige123 Posts: 352
    A friend inspired me to run and always being a non-runner and saying I couldn't run ... I started training the end of March for my 1st 10k I did in May. Didn't do much running over the summer then the start of September decided I was going to do the 1/2 marathon coming up less than 45 days later. I am a run/walker as my lungs are still not up to doing a full run but I am improving all the time. I was doing runs every other day of 6-10k and then on the weekends I would pick a day to do a 15-19k run. I ran my first half on October 13th and I did it in 3:08:13. Not the best time and I placed 579 of 584 runners but I did it.
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    A friend inspired me to run and always being a non-runner and saying I couldn't run ... I started training the end of March for my 1st 10k I did in May. Didn't do much running over the summer then the start of September decided I was going to do the 1/2 marathon coming up less than 45 days later. I am a run/walker as my lungs are still not up to doing a full run but I am improving all the time. I was doing runs every other day of 6-10k and then on the weekends I would pick a day to do a 15-19k run. I ran my first half on October 13th and I did it in 3:08:13. Not the best time and I placed 579 of 584 runners but I did it.

    But, you finished!!! That is amazing!!! Wish you lived here in town to go running together!!
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    You really need a solid base of running before you jump up to a 1/2. I have been a runner my entire life and have ran several 1/2's. The distance is "Mom" friendly. That being said I "slacked" this fall and did not train. I simply ran a 1/2 a week ago. BIG MISTAKE! My best half to date is a 2:12 well the one I simply ran was a 2:20, AND I HAD TO WALK! Moral to the story? If you are going to race 13.1 or above you must, Must, MUST run atleast 4 days a week and mix things up with tempo, speedwork and probably the most important thing of all running S-L-O-W during your longest run of the week.

    I totally agree with this one.
    I think Hal Higdon's Half-Marathon Novice 1 program wants you to be able to run 3 miles a few times a week before attempting the plan. You def want to build a solid base before diving in.

    Ironically, I found this site just about an hour ago! It is very less intimidating, putting my strategy to rest & follow this one. With 6+ months of training, I feel much more confident to finish. I read that I've been running too fast, which is why I've been burning out much quicker. A comfy cozy pace for me right now is only @ 4.3-4.5 mph, but have been training on my HIITS doing 5-6.3 mph. I've been walk/running for the last few months, since completing my 5k over the summer. I've completed an average of 5 miles/day this month, already finishing 99 miles. I did read that my focus should be on a comfy cozy talking pace vs a speed race to finish the miles in the workouts. I did not honestly know I was going too fast.

    Thank you for recommending this site as well!!
    4 mph is not too fast.
    And? I'm happy for you to dash by me on the trail. I'll see you @ the finish line. :)
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