Half Marathon training--days per week question

There are plans that have you run only 3 days per week but they are a bit more advanced (speed work and other things that beginning runners should not do).

You can train 4 days a week with one day being a short recovery run, one day being a long run, and the other 2 being intermediate type runs (slow but shorter than the long run). I did this type of plan over the winter one year and it worked out fine.

Good luck.

Given that you do a lot of other things besides running, you'll be fine. For now keep a good solid base. You can still train 3x week once the plan kicks in, doing 2 intermediate runs and one long one. No worries.

I just did my 1st Half Marathon a few weeks ago, but I pretty much ran 4 to 5 times per week, running about 20 to 30 miles a week. I would think that if you build up a good base over the winter and keep running during the off season, you should be fine and able to finish it. I just don't know how difficult it will feel. With the running I did, I felt very well prepared and didn't feel tired at all until the last 1/2 mile. I also did 10K and 15K races leading up to my half. I think training and running the longer distance races helped me prepare for the Half. The longer races have quite a different feel than a 5K. I feel like it would boost your 1st HM experience if you have the experience doing longer races leading up to it.

I agree that you should think more about a 10k before jumping to half marathon. I went from 5k to half as a beginner, and even with training, I ended up injured (still am).

I would start by continuing your three days a week. However, what will become more important is your long runs. When you start getting up to 9-10+, depending on your speed, you're going to have to invest an hour or two, if not more. I hate to say it, even with all the hiking and cross training in the world, it's still less taxing than running 13+ miles. A lot of it is mental. So if you don't think you can put in the time, I recommend waiting for a time that you can to ensure that the race experience is enjoyable. Focus on a shorter distance that doesn't require as extensive of a training program.

That should be fine. I don't know how fast you are, but you can certainly finish a half marathon in good order with that kind of training. I would encourage you to get close to the distance before your race, which I think you'll have no trouble doing since you're already halfway there with your long runs.

You must feel amazing being down 65 lbs!
VN

I just ran my first half 2 weeks ago on basically the exact training plan you described. I run 4 miles 2 times per week and then took a longer weekend run finishing out my training with a longest run of 10 miles. Heres the mistakes I made that made my first race not as fun as it could have been.

I started running in May of this year and only had 5 months of training.
I decided for some personal reasons to run the half marathon 5 weeks before the race.
I did not taper well even though I knew I should I continued with my normal running schedule right up until race day.
Because I was used to eating in a calorie deficit I should have eaten more prerace.
I took off too fast and didn't pace myself correctly.
I also learned to put baindaids over my nipples

All those mistakes aside I finished with a time better than I planned for. Yes I had to walk more of my race than expected about half a mile in total 2 100 yard walks and a needed break walking up the last long hill but I crossed that finish line with a smile on my face.

I had only ever did a couple of 5k races before (and struggled through them). I started running more in April and decided to train for a half Marathon (which is two weeks from today

Generally speaking, it is advisable for beginners to stick with 3 days a week of running for 4 - 6 months. After that, it is good to slowly ad another running day into the schedule around the same time frame. Given that your race is not until next May, you have plenty of time to increase your running days to 4 - 5 days a week (if so desired).

If you want to just be able to finish the half marathon, (possibly having to walk some of it) you might get by with 3 days a week of running. However, if you want to better prepare your mind and body for 13.1 miles of continuous running, it is best to slowly incorporate more running days into your schedule. While it is fine that others have chimed in to say what they were able to do on 3 days of running, such anecdotal stories are not applicable to you, because you are an individual with a different physical and mental background history that may have some similarities to others. However, you still have to find what works best for your needs and goals, and not build a running plan based on what worked for someone else.

Running places a lot of physical stress on the muscles, tendons, joints and bones. These systems of the body adapt at a slower rate to running, versus the cardiovascular system. As such, it is very important that one give the body the opportunity to make the important adaptations over time, thus lessening the likelihood of injury. And one can better prepare said body systems, by slowly increasing time on the feet with more running, as well as longer long slow runs. It is the long slow runs that best prepare one to not only run farther, but also to run faster (over time) not to mention teaching one how to be more consistent in mile pacing, along with hydration methods that work best for your body and needs.

One does not have to get better at running shorter races, in order to do well in events like the half-marathon and longer. That is a misnomer.

When it comes to doing well in races, (outside of having the proper shoes for your gait and terrain needs) it comes down to having the right mental attitude, (about self) eating properly, being consistent in training, and making sure you get plenty of rest, as getting quality sleep is very important when it comes to helping to recover from increased exercise load.