10k to half marathon

As with most things here, each person is different. I found as I got closer to my first half marathon that I felt better by running every third day. If you can make one of those three runs your long run a week, you should be fine. However, there is a point where it is more mental. If you're running that much now, the muscles are developing. Are you taking gels or anything with you on your runs?

When I trained for my first half, I ran 3 days a week (T/Th/Sat). Two days would be short runs (3-4 miles), the third day would be a long run and I added a mile per week. I adapted my routine from here: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Now on trying to get past the distance, is there a running group you can join up with? Even if you're not running along side someone, just knowing you're in a group might help push you! I am training for another half right now with 8 other girls, and it makes those longer runs so much more fun!

Good luck!

I run four times a week.

I agree with changing the lengths of your runs. Try two shorts ones, one at a fast pace, and one at an easy pace, and then one long run. Don't increase your total distance by more than 10% each work.

I'm training up from nothing to a half marathon, and by the time I'm able to run 10km at a time, I'll be doing something like this (10km = 6 miles, and I hope I've got the conversions right!);

Stretches (yoga), 2 miles (3.33km), 3 miles (5km), Cross-training (Krav Maga), 3 miles (5km), rest day, 6 miles (10km) .
(Total mileage; 14 miles, or 23.33km).

Stretches (yoga), 2 miles (3.33km), 3 miles (5km), Cross-training (Krav Maga), 3 miles (5km), rest day, 4 miles (6.66km) .
(Total mileage; 12 miles, or 20km).

Stretches (yoga), 2 miles (3.33km), 3 miles (5km), Cross-training (Krav Maga), 3 miles (5km), rest day, 7 miles (11.66km) .
(Total mileage; 15 miles, or 25km).

tretches (yoga), 2 miles (3.33km), 3.5 miles (5.83km), Cross-training (Krav Maga), 3 miles (5km), rest day, 8 miles (13.33km) .
(Total mileage; 16.5 miles, or 27.5km).

You'll notice that my long runs are on Sundays, and that I've got an easy recovery week mixed in there (that second one). You'll also notice that the distances vary, and my easy runs are quite short, but the total mileage increases slowly.

I would also second the idea of walking for a minute or so, and then running again, to increase your distance, although, again, not by more than 10% each week. You're more likely to get injured if you try to do too much at once.:(

It might be worth googling half-marathon training plans, to have a look at how other people have done it. I think, generally they use these underlying principles though.

Maybe it's worth signing up for a half marathon (mine's in October), to give you a real incentive to do that distance? As someone said, if you training carefully, you should be able to complete it after twelve weeks or so. Worst case scenario is, you walk for a bit in the middle, and run all of the next one.;p

I up my long run by 1 mile each week until I get to 10 miles about 1-2 weeks before a half marathon.

It's very important to fuel yourself during your run. If I run anything over 5 miles I'm over an hour working out... so if I'm going to do over 6 I usually take a Gu or eat a pack of sports beans every 40 minutes of a long run. Hydration is also important, as weird as it is to wear a hydration belt, it is worth it when running.

Maybe you are stuck at 6 because of fueling issues?

if you dont like energy gels, maybe some jelly beans or something easy to carry that you can eat on the go or stop for a minute.