2 months until first half marathon!!! Tips?

doingthis4me91
doingthis4me91 Posts: 3 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have spontaneously decided I want a challenge to motivate me to get back on the healthy lifestyle track!

The challenge I have set for myself will be to compete in a half marathon! However, There is only 2 months until the event! I Have not been as active as I usually am in the past month.
Any one got any tips? Is my timeline for training realistic? Thank you:-)

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    What's your current weekly mileage?
  • kcn2bluesky
    kcn2bluesky Posts: 187 Member
    edited May 2016
    If you haven't been actively building your mileage, then I would consider walking the distance with the primary objective being to finish the race with no specific time goal. A race is a great way to get motivated, but it's not going to be helpful to you if you injure yourself along the way or at the race itself.

    If you haven't yet started training for the event, and aren't actively working out at this time, then I would reconsider a race that is 2 months away and find one that is further out. Another alternative is to see if the race has a shorter distance at the same event...like a 10k or 5k...that you can participate in.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    doingthis4me91 wrote: »
    Is my timeline for training realistic? Thank you:-)

    As above, what's your current weekly mileage and how is that made up? How often do you normally run, and what's the maximum distance you've run?

    If you've previously run HMs then the answers are very different to this being your first.
  • doingthis4me91
    doingthis4me91 Posts: 3 Member
    As stated I've been quite inactive in the past month however I usually steady pace about 15km per week broken down into 3 5km runs. I am also probably doing about a km in the pool per week.

    Max distance I've ran is about 10km, so I know it will be a challenge for my body to complete 21km.
    Kcn2bluesky, I like your suggestions of walking it first I will do that first and see how I go,
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    I certainly don't think you'll find it recommended anywhere to build from 5k to 21k in just 8 wks, and there's a strong risk of injury unless you're really careful but of course you should be able to complete the distance by walking or walking & running intervals. I would expect it to hurt as you'll certainly be a lot less prepared than most of the field. Be careful how you increase weekly total mileage and the mileage of any single run, recommendations to avoid injury are to not add more than 10% in one go to either of these. You may want to check if they have a cut-off time?
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    doingthis4me91 wrote: »
    As stated I've been quite inactive in the past month however I usually steady pace about 15km per week broken down into 3 5km runs. I am also probably doing about a km in the pool per week.

    Max distance I've ran is about 10km, so I know it will be a challenge for my body to complete 21km.
    Kcn2bluesky, I like your suggestions of walking it first I will do that first and see how I go,

    So I'd suggest that expecting to run it continuously as unrealistic in the time available.

    It may be worth looking at a Galloway run/ walk plan as a method of increasing your capability whilst minimising your injury risk. The mileage increase you need to achieve is quite aggressive, so I'd echo the points above about proportionate increase; 10%. I'd add that you should avoid your longer run in the week being more than 25% of your weekly mileage.
  • doingthis4me91
    doingthis4me91 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks heaps for the advice, I am going to aim to run the 10km race for the event instead, then in a few more months move on to the half marathon:-)
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    Good choice @doingthis4me91 that sounds like a much more sensible approach and I'm sure you'll enjoy it much more than if you were walking the half-marathon distance. After the 10k you could find a 12-16wk half-marathon training plan you like the look of and then choose an event which coincides with when you complete that. Enjoy your training!
  • kcn2bluesky
    kcn2bluesky Posts: 187 Member
    Good job on modifying your plans! I hope you will update us on how your race goes!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    doingthis4me91 wrote: »
    Thanks heaps for the advice, I am going to aim to run the 10km race for the event instead, then in a few more months move on to the half marathon:-)

    I suspect that's much more prudent.

    I made the mistake of ramping up my mileage too quickly in January, gave myself a calf strain and had to miss my planned marathon in March. Very galling on the day, so better to plan for success at the shorter distance now.
  • treehugnmama
    treehugnmama Posts: 816 Member
    In 2010 I trained for 9 months couch to half marathon...I completed it and it was great but my body took a beating. Had I been active privously would have been better but I loved it. I think I used marathon for mortals if my memory seven correct and it was great!! I was just thinking I'd like to do it again but want to get some pounds off first.

    Good luck on your 10 k!!!

  • smileymaxine
    smileymaxine Posts: 275 Member
    I only train for my halves in two months, wouldn't say it's the best idea but not impossible especially if you've been running three times a week.

    Add in a long run 10km is your longest so add a 1km/2km to that a week and do 2 speed work runs Intetvals are great don't need to be long and maybe 1 extra run or cross train if you can cope with it.

    Don't push Milage to high too fast.
    Be consistent
    Listen to your body
    Practice pre fueling for race , what you will eat during
  • smileymaxine
    smileymaxine Posts: 275 Member
    Sorry just read you are changing to 10km might be safer but really half is not impossible in 2 months, I crashed half way through my one this Sunday but still knocked 8 minutes of my time.
    Best of luck with your training
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