Half-Marathon
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StephFolz
Posts: 6 Member
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
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Replies
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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
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Here is a simple 10-week training program that I have successfully used several times:
http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html
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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
Get a training plan or 2 to work with to slowly increase your distance. You've got plenty of time to mess around with fueling - for race day and before long runs.
I struggle to lose weight when my long run gets into double figures... the runger is real :laugh:
Good luck!3 -
Since you are still 8 months out, don't worry about starting an official training plan just yet. Right now your focus should be to build a strong aerobic base. This is done by running all of your runs at a slow, comfortable pace and steadily increasing your weekly mileage, slowly so as not to get hurt. A good goal is to increase overall mileage by 8-10% per week, then every three weeks, give yourself a break and cut it back a bit.
When it's time to start a plan, choose one that is well suited to your ability at the time. Hal Higdon's plans are really popular for first timers. I always like to start the plan at least two weeks earlier than I need to in case something happens during the training cycle and I need to skip a week or have an unplanned cut back week. If everything goes according to plan and I finish early, I repeat a week and/or give myself an extra week of taper.
Good luck!8 -
So happy to see someone starting 8 MONTHS in advance instead of 8 weeks or 8 days! I'm not a distance runner, but I know you'll get lots of good advice here.9
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I would suggest looking for a training plan. I've seen plans ranging from 16 weeks to only 8 weeks long. You did not mention how long you have been running or how many miles per week you currently run, but it is great that you are giving yourself plenty of time to prepare. When I decided to run my first half, I did not have much of a running base. I started adding runs to my regular workout routine and slowly built up my distance. Once I was about 12 weeks out from the race, I started following one of Hal Higdon's novice plans. Having the plan was helpful because it added structure to training. I wasn't just running to run, I was running to prepare for a specific distance, and this was a tested method for crossing the finish line. The plan I used only went up to 10 miles for the longest run, and I think that is fairly common for novice training plans. Best of luck!1
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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 properly2
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Plan some shorter races between now and then. Eight months is a long way away. You need something to focus on now besides just "run more". Shorter races will allow you to train for speed, which will help when it comes time to start HM specific training. Most of your runs should be easy though, as you are building your base mileage. The shorter races will also help you prepare mentally for race day excitement/nerves, etc. If you can, look for someone to train with. The long runs are easier if you have a companion to talk with. Higdon plans are good for beginners. Pete Pfitzinger's are a bit more challenging.4
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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
Congrats! Nice goal to work on. I like the free training plans on runkeepers, they have 5k - HM and the HM plans start at 2:30 and under depending on your pace and goal. I prefer strava as my regular training app for running but use the free plans on runkeepers as a guideline. Good luck!0 -
Good luck! You're giving yourself plenty of time, the race will be a breeze come race day!0
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I'm doing one in 8 months too!1
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I just completed my first on Sunday and the best advice I can give in my limited experience is to get on a proven training regimen and stick with it. It might seem unorthodox compared to what your normal running routine is, but trust in it and it will get you across the finish line.
On race day, the biggest mistake I made was to get too taken in by the crowd and the thousands of other runners (Chicago Half). I started out WAY too fast and I am damn lucky this did not derail me entirely. Remember to run YOUR race, and stick to the game plan. If you run how you trained you will be in good shape and hopefully not make the same mistakes I did.5 -
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!3 -
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.MeanderingMammal wrote: »
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There is literally hundreds of training programs out there and giving yourself 8 months is a great decision. Good luck
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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.MeanderingMammal wrote: »
You are wise to give yourself 8 months. I had 3 from the time I finished my 2nd 10K before I got serious about getting ready. You should be in great shape. By race day your primary concern will probably be perfecting your celebratory fist pumps for the finish line pics. These very threads are going to be your best resource for information. You are going to have lots of questions between now and then and there are thankfully lots of folks here with a ton of experience with road races who can offer you some great advice. If you have a specialty running store local to you that is decent, those folks can also become another good source of information.
Best of luck.1 -
I recommend reading Slow Burn by Stu Mittleman. It's great for starting out!0
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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.MeanderingMammal wrote: »
Personally I'd recommend identifying where you'll start your HM plan, normally about 16 weeks and aim to be running c20-25 miles per week, ready to start the plan. That's only four 10K sessions per week so easily achievable in about six weeks. I'd recommend a couple of 10Ks in the interim as well, to get a handle on the experience and pacing issues highlighted above.
The HM is a nice distance, long enough to be worth it but not life consuming to train for.4
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