Half Marathon

ErinKay_RN wrote: »

So before I became pregnant with my daughter almost 2 years ago, I was able to jog 5 miles. I was really sick with her so I didn't keep it up while I was pregnant and I'm just starting to get back into it. I'm currently able to jog a slow 3 miles some days. Some days, especially with the heat and humidity, I walk about 1/10 of a mile three times during my run. I'm also about 30lbs heavier than I was when I was running before, which I'm obviously working on.
Anyways, I have a friend who wants me to train for a half marathon in October. I'd love to do it but I'm just wondering if it's a realistic goal for me. I try to run 3 times a week but between working full time and being a mom of 4, sometimes I only get two in. I read in one article to increase my runs by a mile and a half every other week, but I'm not ready for that yet. I'm trying to nail down a decent 5k first. Any thoughts on my training? Also any good running groups for beginners someone could point me to?

Try working up to a half hour jog without stopping. Once you get there start improving speed and distance. Use run keeper or something to start tracking your runs so you can visually see the progress. Awesome goal, good luck!

I used Hal Higdon's half marathon training plan and it worked very well and was easy to use.

That is very possible, though 2 x weekly makes it harder. But still easily possible.

Mileage increase of about 10% weekly max is normally recommended to keep from injury. Any site giving a set distance increase with no bearing on how much you run - I'd recommend not reading that site - bad advice.
With 3 miles x 2 weekly, that means trying to increase 1 of those runs by 0.5 miles each week. Other one keep at 3.
If you do get in a 3rd run, keep it short so you don't overdue that 10% increase suggestion.
20 weeks to get to 13 miles that way on the long run with just 1/2 mile increases, but really at 7+3 miles weekly point, 1 mile increase will be within 10%, so it'll take less time.

That long run you'll benefit from trying to imitate conditions of the race day, at least a few times - so early morning, figure out how much and type of food is possible, how much liquids, clothes to wear, ect.

With heat, don't have to run entire time - jog/walk intervals to save joints because of extra weight is just fine, and still gives foot time, which is really want you want.
Some running plans are nothing but intervals like that. It can give opportunity to find a pace that may have better form (running economy) to practice short spurts at. Allowing them to become faster as aerobic base is built.

DX2JX2 wrote: »

Once you're fine regularly running 10K a couple of times per week, then you're definitely fine to run 13 miles as a one-time shot.

It took me months to get to running 5 miles regularly and then weeks to get to 10. It's hard to explain, but once you get past the shorter distances, you kind of get in a zone where it feels like you are tapping into a bigger reserve and muscles really don't feel fatigued until you stop. I used to plan my long runs to cross as few streets as possible to minimize stopping.

Since you're already a runner it's doable. It's totally ok to walk part of it too, lots of runners do!

ErinKay_RN wrote: »

So before I became pregnant with my daughter almost 2 years ago, I was able to jog 5 miles. I was really sick with her so I didn't keep it up while I was pregnant and I'm just starting to get back into it. I'm currently able to jog a slow 3 miles some days. Some days, especially with the heat and humidity, I walk about 1/10 of a mile three times during my run. I'm also about 30lbs heavier than I was when I was running before, which I'm obviously working on.
Anyways, I have a friend who wants me to train for a half marathon in October. I'd love to do it but I'm just wondering if it's a realistic goal for me. I try to run 3 times a week but between working full time and being a mom of 4, sometimes I only get two in. I read in one article to increase my runs by a mile and a half every other week, but I'm not ready for that yet. I'm trying to nail down a decent 5k first. Any thoughts on my training? Also any good running groups for beginners someone could point me to?

Hal Higdon has some very well respected training plans (https://www.halhigdon.com/training/half-marathon-training/). I believe half marathon plans are typically 12-16 weeks... so from a timing standpoint, you should be good there. The question is can you stick to the training plan reasonably well. Work, family, life.. it all happens and sometimes those things get in the way of training. So IMO, that's the question to ask yourself. Take a look at his plan(s) and see if you think you can stick to it. Doesn't have to be every single training run, but most people say completing/sticking to 90% of the plan is good.

7H3_J0K3R wrote: »

miaow828 wrote: »

I used Hal Higdon's half marathon training plan and it worked very well and was easy to use.

I second this.

Thirded.

Hal is great. Plans for all abilities. Novice 1 for HM is great!

ErinKay_RN wrote: »

Gosh, thanks everyone for the input! I think it's doable but the two biggest barriers for me are my irregular work schedule and the humidity. I went out early today and the humidity was killing me! I jogged a straight two miles then walked/jogged the last 1.3. I think if I'd had forced myself to keep jogging I could have went at least 2.5 straight, but my breathing was harder than usual due to the humidity so I thought I'd take a little break and then jog the rest of the way, but then it ended up being harder to get back into my groove. It looks like we're gonna get a break from the heat soon so I'll definitely be trying to increase my mileage. I also found when I was running before that once I got to 4 miles, it was relatively easy to increase to 5. Five definitely left my legs feeling a little Jello the first time but I also felt from there it was going to be easier to increase over time, but like I said I became pregnant and it didn't happen. So I guess my goal right now is to get to 5 miles and then perhaps I'll look into a half training program. I'm not sure if I'll make it in October, I'm going to try but not be disappointed if I'm not ready yet. I'll just look for another one a little further out. I'm going to do this.

I would worry way less than you are about walking parts of it, especially at this point in your distance. You are over thinking it big time! The humidity is tough and will slow you to a walk often, but since your run is in October this will work in your favor because most likely it will be a little cooler by then so you will have worked and trained in the hardest months. As you progress and your runs get longer you’ll realize that putting in the miles is what matters.

ErinKay_RN wrote: »

WickAndArtoo wrote: »

ErinKay_RN wrote: »

Gosh, thanks everyone for the input! I think it's doable but the two biggest barriers for me are my irregular work schedule and the humidity. I went out early today and the humidity was killing me! I jogged a straight two miles then walked/jogged the last 1.3. I think if I'd had forced myself to keep jogging I could have went at least 2.5 straight, but my breathing was harder than usual due to the humidity so I thought I'd take a little break and then jog the rest of the way, but then it ended up being harder to get back into my groove. It looks like we're gonna get a break from the heat soon so I'll definitely be trying to increase my mileage. I also found when I was running before that once I got to 4 miles, it was relatively easy to increase to 5. Five definitely left my legs feeling a little Jello the first time but I also felt from there it was going to be easier to increase over time, but like I said I became pregnant and it didn't happen. So I guess my goal right now is to get to 5 miles and then perhaps I'll look into a half training program. I'm not sure if I'll make it in October, I'm going to try but not be disappointed if I'm not ready yet. I'll just look for another one a little further out. I'm going to do this.

I would worry way less than you are about walking parts of it, especially at this point in your distance. You are over thinking it big time! The humidity is tough and will slow you to a walk often, but since your run is in October this will work in your favor because most likely it will be a little cooler by then so you will have worked and trained in the hardest months. As you progress and your runs get longer you’ll realize that putting in the miles is what matters.

You nailed it, I'm a serious overthinker. I know for sure as it cools down it will improve everything about my runs. I think it's just really frustrating for me starting over.

It will come back to you quicker than you think! Almost everyone is starting over, Heck I am going to be starting over even though I just ran my half in March... because I have only hiked since then and injured my knee training for my next run.

The first five miles is the slowest because our bodies are readjusting to running, but the miles after that come progressively easier. That’s why the training plans don’t call for you to do the whole 13 before race day, because we don’t need it, our bodies can at that point increase mileage easier (within reason obviously).

0ysterboy wrote: »

Have you thought about using a run-walk-run strategy?
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/run-walk/

Some of those run-walk people helped me improve my time. At about mile 12, I got passed by a group and I figured if they had the energy to do that at this point, I probably did too and I sped up and paced them. About 5 minutes later, one of them looked at her watch and said "and... walk" and they all started walking. I kept running at their run pace, committed to not letting them catch me again. Shaved a couple of minutes off the pace I had been at (I had been staying with a pace runner before that).