Half-Marathon

Slow and steady. Both in your runs and in your increasing distance. Not sure if it was endurance or just plain stubbornness that kept me going. Many plans top off your long runs at 10 miles, I liked to go to 13 just to convince myself that I could do it. I left the extra 0.1 for race day. And remember, it being your first, you WILL have a Personal Best

if you are using a plan, stick to it - if the plan says 6 miles, but you feel like doing more - don't - it can lead to injury, if they are built and phased properly

StephFolz wrote: »

Hey! I have just started training for my first half marathon! Anybody have any tips or things I should know? I’m starting early, race is in 8 months

Key questions for a meaningful and are how much you run now, and what's your race experience so far?

Good luck! You're giving yourself plenty of time, the race will be a breeze come race day!

I'm doing one in 8 months too!

Here's some really specific advice from experience:

#1 replace your shoes regularly. Increasing distance can lead to PF for a lot of people. Use your older pair for slop shoes on rainy days

#2 keep your toe nails trimmed, any irregular jagged edges will cause nasty blisters at longer distances

#3 do a few 10ks between now and then

Oh, and have fun. My longest usual training was 10 miles. I had only run 13 one time a few weeks prior to my race. I retired from half marathons immediately after!

There is literally hundreds of training programs out there and giving yourself 8 months is a great decision. Good luck

I recommend reading Slow Burn by Stu Mittleman. It's great for starting out!

Two pieces of advice:

1. Sign up for a few local 5k/10k races along the way so that you have mini-milestones - can seem monotonous training for a payoff months away.
2. STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH. Spend a few minutes stretching your legs when you are done with a run. Seems small but its the easiest thing to blow off and the easiest way to have problems creep up.

I followed John Stantons guide to half marathon training. It was good but I wish I would have put in more time. I think his schedule was 3months long. Good luck on training.

StephFolz wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

StephFolz wrote: »

Hey! I have just started training for my first half marathon! Anybody have any tips or things I should know? I’m starting early, race is in 8 months

Key questions for a meaningful and are how much you run now, and what's your race experience so far?

I’m at about 3 miles now, that’s my base. I do that in about 30 minutes. I’ve done some 5k’s but that’s about it. I’m not in it to win, I just want to cross the finish line.

Let's see. 8 months from able to do a 5K to doing a half marathon. The half marathon training program will take 12 to 16 weeks, depending on what program you use. It will want you to be running 12 to 15 miles per week regularly before you start the program, if not more.

My best guess: Target doing a 5K in 2 months or so. Then see if you can work up to a 15K or 10 mile race in another 3 month. That leaves you 3 months to train for the half, and the experience of building your aerobic base and running a couple of races that are long enough to give you an idea of what it means to pace yourself.

With less time, you could target a 15K about a month before the half, and work it into your training; but with all the time you have, you can afford to build your capacity more gradually. That will reduce the chance of injury. Just remember that the goal is to finish, and don't get sidetracked by visions of finishing the first one fast.

Has anyone mentioned running slow?

Seriously, just run slow and steady until you get a good aerobic base. The rule of thumb is you should be able to have a conversation or sing a song without any trouble if you're running the right pace.

If you find yourself with a strong enough base to run 10 miles or so when it's time to start a training plan you can then incorporate some speed workouts if you want to. Just be careful, speed kills. Well, for runners it usually just injures, but you get the point.

Practice hydration and nutrition on your long runs when you start on a training plan. Most races have aid stations with water and snacks every two miles so on my long runs I drink every two miles. I carry my own fuel, even during the race, because I don't want to risk whatever it is they're giving away during the race causing me stomach problems, and I practice taking my Gu approximately every four miles about a quarter mile prior to the next aid station. Most in-race nutrition you'll want to wash down with water so I start taking it in a bit before the next water station. The nutrition isn't as much of an issue for a half marathon, but it's still something to consider.

Oh, and if you haven't tried drinking from a Dixie cup while running you're in for a rude awakening come race day! lol. Either bite the bullet and look like an idiot out there practicing drinking from a cup while training, or just walk during the race while you drink.

And most importantly, have FUN! Going across the line, start and finish, is a pretty cool rush.