Not-that-heavy girls

Join
We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

first half marathon! !

kayna1225
kayna1225 Posts: 53 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
So my first half marathon is april 26...I usually run 3-5miles2-3x a week. There are so many training programs. ..some with more strength training than running. Have you tried any? Do you feel it worked? Thanks!

Replies

  • mkozmik
    mkozmik Posts: 79 Member
    When my son trained for his first marathon, he focused more on endurance and running than weight training. Although both can be important.
  • corinic91
    corinic91 Posts: 148 Member
    @kayna1225 I follow Hal Higdon's programs when I'm preparing for a half. Seems like you're in good shape to pick it up :smile: It incorporates cross training and stretching into the schedule as well.
  • MrsSchimmy
    MrsSchimmy Posts: 255 Member
    I want to say I followed my Nike app program for my half. It incorporates cross training in it and on my short runs (read: runs that could be completed in 45 min or less), I would do strength training on that day. I've found I get injured FAR LESS often when I lift than when I focus only on running.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Whoo! HM! I plan on making my first in October. My husband ran his first last October. He didn't follow a plan, just got out there and trained when he could. Kinda crazy, but he did it. I think with which ever plan you choose you, yourself will have a good feel for what's right for you. Runners world also has plans online too. And there are even apps for hm training. Good luck!
  • theglencoegirl
    theglencoegirl Posts: 69 Member
    i have done two halfs and 1 15km!! they are so fun!! i have a half planned for june 1st. i used http://bcsth.ca/sites/default/files/Suggested Training Program for Half Marathon.pdf
    i was very prepared!! i always took the shortest run of the week and added the kms to the other runs.
    i do yoga as well!!

    good luck!!
  • denham218
    denham218 Posts: 1
    I have done 5 mini marathons and several 5ks and 10ks. I find it better for me if I weight lift 3 days and run 3 days a week. Two shorter runs on week days and a long run on one weekend day. I follow a plan to keep my training fresh so I can run a mini anytime. Once a month I will do 8 to 10 miles. My long runs are no less than 6. My short runs are no less than 3 to 4. I'm running my 6 th in April also which will be the Derby mini. I have done this race 3 times and had a better time every year. I would just find a three day running 12 week training plan and use it before the race. The less u run sometimes the better u run. Good luck and I hope this helped.
  • mamarundrc
    mamarundrc Posts: 1,577 Member
    It depends on what you want to do in your half how you are want to train. I am training for a half in March and my goal is to finish and run a fairly consistent pace throughout the race. I want to finish in 2:30 or less. I am focusing on adding miles and strength and not really being too concerned with speed drills or anything like that. I am doing a lot of the training runs on the actual course (which happens to go through my neighborhood making it easy to do). I do not follow any published plan, I took a look at them all and kind of made my own, taking advice on from them and making them fit how I like to workout. If you are interested in seeing the plan I set up, PM me an email address and I can send you the file. It consists of 3-4 days of running, yoga, and strength 2 days and 1 complete rest day.
  • CLEgirl
    CLEgirl Posts: 23 Member
    I've used a Runners World training program ("intermediate runners"). There is a small cost for it, but I though it was worth it. However, I was not completely following it! But it made me stay focused. It is based on mixing running at targeted race pace for a about twice a week for a few miles (say 3 out of 5 miles), one long run, and one run where you go between comfortable slow and then run at a 10k or 5k speed for shorter times. I find weight training very useful; like strengthen your core and flexibility. 1/2 marathons are great! Requires endurance, but not as crazy as a full marathon! (Even though I admire people who can run the full).

    If you have not done so already, sign up for some shorter races, just to get used to running in a race.

    Good luck!
  • Solamer
    Solamer Posts: 67 Member
    YAY! I'm running a half (my 4th) on April 12th! I ran my first three by following a pretty simple plan that involved running about 4x a week and having one long run on the weekends, increasing my long run by about a mile each week until I reached 10 mi, tapered for a week and then ran my 13.1. There are a lot of free programs out there and if you're goal is simply to finish/run the whole thing as mine was, then they should work for you just fine.
  • kpw818
    kpw818 Posts: 113 Member
    Awesome!

    I'm running my first half on 4/4. I did not follow a training plan, but I did kind of mix what I saw with how I was training. My weeks looks like this:

    Monday: Speed or hill workout for 35-40 minutes
    Tuesday: 40 minutes weight/strength training (I do full body)
    Wednesday: Medium easy run of 6-7 miles
    Thursday: 30 minutes weight/strength (some leg, but I go easier on it)
    Friday: 30-40 minute run easy
    Saturday: Long run
    Sunday: Rest

    I started by increasing my long run about a mile each week (back in January). Had some off weekends, really snowy weekends, and days I just didn't feel it. I occasionally run an extra 2-3 miles on Thursdays if I feel up to it. I'm not that structured, and I enjoy running so I'll add easy days.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories