Faster Half Marathon
VanderTuig1976
Posts: 145 Member
Hello!
As per the title of my post, I'd like to run a faster half. My next race is approximately eight weeks away. I've been using the Hal Higdon Intermediate 1 training program which is endurance based. I am considering his speed-based Intermediate 2 or Advanced for my upcoming race. Problem is, I don't have enough time to complete the entire program before race day - I have time to complete 8 of the 12 weeks.
I've been running about four years now but have never really done a speed-based program. I've got the half mary distance down so I'm wondering if it would be okay to jump into week five of the program or if it would be better to start at week one? I don't want to be under-prepared by not running long enough runs (distance) before the race. I just did a half this weekend so that training might carry me into this next race. I just really don't know - this is new territory for me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Crystal
As per the title of my post, I'd like to run a faster half. My next race is approximately eight weeks away. I've been using the Hal Higdon Intermediate 1 training program which is endurance based. I am considering his speed-based Intermediate 2 or Advanced for my upcoming race. Problem is, I don't have enough time to complete the entire program before race day - I have time to complete 8 of the 12 weeks.
I've been running about four years now but have never really done a speed-based program. I've got the half mary distance down so I'm wondering if it would be okay to jump into week five of the program or if it would be better to start at week one? I don't want to be under-prepared by not running long enough runs (distance) before the race. I just did a half this weekend so that training might carry me into this next race. I just really don't know - this is new territory for me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Crystal
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Replies
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If you're current mileage is about the same as week 5 then you should be ok, though I don't know if you'd want to jump into that level of speed work if you don't currently do any?
It took me a year to take 6 minutes off my half time, not sure how much improvement you can get in 8 weeks, but then I'm a running newbie.1 -
As @TavistockToad said, you probably want to ease into the speed work. But since you are already comfortable with the mileage, why not just blend the two plans together a bit? I would stick with your current plan, but add elements of speed work to one of your runs each week, like a few tempo miles or speed intervals sandwiched into the middle of your midweek run. As you get more comfortable with it, add a second day, taking cues of how much and what type from the speed-based plans.
Since you already have a decent base, even a small amount of speedwork is going to help. You just want to be careful not to overdo it. Keep the 80/20 rule in mind.4 -
Thank you both for the feedback. I like the idea of integrating elements of both plans into my next training cycle!0
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I did that with my second marathon. I used HH Intermediate 2 and Advanced Plans so I did the speedwork if I could, but if there wasn't time or energy to do the extra day, I didn't sweat it.
In looking at Higdon's HM plans, the Intermediate 1 has more race pace runs. The intermediate 2 has more 5k intervals. The intervals will help with actual speed. The race pace runs will help with your stamina. They both have value.1
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