Half marathon - feeling the fear

frostiek
frostiek Posts: 4 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
hi all

I've just taken up running again and I'm doing regular 5-7k jogs about 3 times a week and have just run my first 5k race, however in a fit of enthusiasm I've signed up for a half marathon in October. I did one years ago before having kids and when I had a lot more free time - and it suddenly feels like i've bitten off more than I can chew, but I'm sure with a structure it will be more attainable. Does anyone know of any good apps or programmes to help me get to half marathon distance?

Many thanks in advance

Replies

  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    Here's a couple of bits taken from runners world.

    http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/beginner-half-marathon-training-schedule/9832.html
    http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/beginner-half-marathon-training-schedule/9832-2.html

    Personally I didn't stick to a plan I did my own which quite simply was I ran when I felt like it for as long as I felt like and stop when tired, the worst thing you can do is try and overcomplicate things. If you have to walk for some of it that's nothing to be ashamed off, it's common. The good thing is that you've given yourself plenty of time to get it right.

    Do you have a local running club you could join up with (it's only an hour or so out of your week) ? My local allows people to just come and run with them without registering and provide advice and guidance, maybe that would be your best bet.

    Good luck with it
  • GillianMcK
    GillianMcK Posts: 401 Member
    You've got loads of time, most plans start 18 weeks before the event day, I'm doing a marathon (which my training app kindly tells me is 1mnth 22days away).
    There's a half marathon trainer from fit kit, it uses interval training and tells you when to walk and when to jog, the one I use for the marathon is distance based, so it has me running 4 times a week, for example this week, Monday 4miles easy, Tuesday 8miles easy, Thursday 4miles hard and Saturday 16miles long run.
    I have tweaked this a bit as running a long run on a Saturday doesn't tend to be suitable so I run 8miles Tuesday, 4miles Thursday, 4miles Saturday and 16miles Sunday, it also increases the distance covered each week incrementally so you're not just suddenly on 16miles, it increases the long runs for 2 weeks and drops it a week, pushes up 2 weeks and drops back.

    You'll be fine, you just need to keep putting 1 foot in front of the other!!
  • Pinkranger626
    Pinkranger626 Posts: 460 Member
    I'm running my second half marathon at the end of this month. I've got a lot going on in my life right now so running 1-2 times a week along with my other workouts is about all I can fit in. I did my half last year with the same schedule and finished in 2:17:34 which is at a good clip for me. I went to runnerworld.com and used their free training guide (smart coach) to figure out how many miles I should be running for my long runs. Typically I do one day shorter with intervals and hills and one day long and slow. You can do it! And you have plenty of time to train for it!
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Plenty of time. 12-18 weeks out is pretty standard, and you have 6mos. Take this time to build up slowly and you'll do well.

    www.halhigdon.com
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    You have plenty of time! No need to stress :)

    Others have mentioned some really great training programs and I used an app on my phone. Take the training program that fits the best for you or that you prefer and if you need to tailor it a little more, then go for it. You can also take a 12 or 16 week program and just stretch it out over a longer period of time if that suits your schedule better.

    You got this!
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    You have lots of time to build up to the 13.1 miles in October.

    I had a similar stretch of time to prepare for my first half marathon last year. I like the Hal Higdon training programs, but there are lots of good ones out there. The thing to focus on is to get out and run and build up some miles. Make sure that you are doing 1 run a week that is long and at an easy/slow pace.

    Following run/walk intervals (ie. run 10 minutes, walk 1 minutes or run 2 miles, walk 1 minute etc) are very helpful and don't think that you are "cheating" as many runners follow this.

    Best wishes!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Plenty of time. 12-18 weeks out is pretty standard, and you have 6mos. Take this time to build up slowly and you'll do well.

    www.halhigdon.com

    ^^^^ This

    Hal Higdon has half marathon plans (usually 12 weeks) for first timers on through to competitive runners wanting a personal best.

    Consistency is the key to having a great experience.
  • Platform_Heels
    Platform_Heels Posts: 388 Member
    With training you can absolutely do it. My first half marathon that I did several years ago I did a 16 week training program and was able to run it no problem. As long as you can commit to the training you can do it.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe it's already full from the people who didn't qualify for the 10k full marathon
  • Platform_Heels
    Platform_Heels Posts: 388 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe she wants to challenge herself and do a half marathon. She has plenty of time to train for it.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe she wants to challenge herself and do a half marathon. She has plenty of time to train for it.

    You do realize that was a humorous response as there is no such thing as a "5K Marathon", right? There is a 5K and there is a Marathon. They don't co-mingle.
  • Platform_Heels
    Platform_Heels Posts: 388 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe she wants to challenge herself and do a half marathon. She has plenty of time to train for it.

    You do realize that was a humorous response as there is no such thing as a "5K Marathon", right? There is a 5K and there is a Marathon. They don't co-mingle.

    OMG. NO WAY!

    Yes, I do know there is no such thing as a 5k marathon. I also know that the person who posted it is prone to snark and rudeness. I figured his response was due to the fact that she's done 5k's and wants to do a marathon hence the "5k marathon"
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I'm sure you remember from your last half-marathon training how forbidding the distance seems...especially about 6 weeks out from the race. :laugh:

    I used Coach Jenny Hadfield's "Busy Girls Half Marathon Plan"

    https://www.jennyhadfield.com/articles/the-busy-girls-half-marathon-plan/

    If you can get out there more often and put in more miles with a more committed plan, I'd definitely recommend that. If you end up in a time crunch brought to you by your life and kids, this is a great fall-back.

    And, remember: 10 miles > two 5 mile runs > one 5 mile run > no running at all. Keep that formula in mind when you are balancing your training against work schedules and vomiting kids.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe she wants to challenge herself and do a half marathon. She has plenty of time to train for it.

    You do realize that was a humorous response as there is no such thing as a "5K Marathon", right? There is a 5K and there is a Marathon. They don't co-mingle.

    OMG. NO WAY!

    Yes, I do know there is no such thing as a 5k marathon. I also know that the person who posted it is prone to snark and rudeness. I figured his response was due to the fact that she's done 5k's and wants to do a marathon hence the "5k marathon"

    I think he was just being silly. I think he's on a cut, so it's possible that he's a bit delirious as well.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Another vote for Hal Higdon's novice half-marathon plan. Check it out, it's reassuringly simple with a nice gradual build-up.

    http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe she wants to challenge herself and do a half marathon. She has plenty of time to train for it.

    You do realize that was a humorous response as there is no such thing as a "5K Marathon", right? There is a 5K and there is a Marathon. They don't co-mingle.

    OMG. NO WAY!

    Yes, I do know there is no such thing as a 5k marathon. I also know that the person who posted it is prone to snark and rudeness. I figured his response was due to the fact that she's done 5k's and wants to do a marathon hence the "5k marathon"

    Snark and rudeness...huh...you don't say. Kind of ironic, don't you think?

    I don't know you or your background. I was just trying to nicely make sure that you weren't being sucked down into a trap. I'm happy to hear that you weren't. Carry on.

    ETA: And the OP said she signed up for a half marathon, not a full. Just to be clear.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    I'm training for a half marathon using a training program that is on the RunKeeper app. I picked that app because it links with MFP, but it's actually a pretty cool app. I can use it for more than running; i've been keeping track of my bike rides too.
  • Daisy471
    Daisy471 Posts: 409 Member
    Another vote for Hal Higdon's novice half-marathon plan. Check it out, it's reassuringly simple with a nice gradual build-up.

    http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program

    I also like the Higdon plans. My half is in 12 days and I am ready!
  • Platform_Heels
    Platform_Heels Posts: 388 Member
    ETA: And the OP said she signed up for a half marathon, not a full. Just to be clear.

    Yes, I know and in my original post I addressed that fact but thanks!:flowerforyou:
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Why don't you just do the 5k marathon instead?

    Maybe she wants to challenge herself and do a half marathon. She has plenty of time to train for it.

    You do realize that was a humorous response as there is no such thing as a "5K Marathon", right? There is a 5K and there is a Marathon. They don't co-mingle.

    OMG. NO WAY!

    Yes, I do know there is no such thing as a 5k marathon. I also know that the person who posted it is prone to snark and rudeness. I figured his response was due to the fact that she's done 5k's and wants to do a marathon hence the "5k marathon"

    Snark and rudeness...huh...you don't say. Kind of ironic, don't you think?

    I don't know you or your background. I was just trying to nicely make sure that you weren't being sucked down into a trap. I'm happy to hear that you weren't. Carry on.

    ETA: And the OP said she signed up for a half marathon, not a full. Just to be clear.

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :drinker:
  • frostiek
    frostiek Posts: 4 Member
    Brilliant thanks - I'll check out these programmes. Thanks also for the encouragement !!
  • badbcatha05
    badbcatha05 Posts: 200 Member
    Check out Jeff Galloway's website too.

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