Half Marathon suggestions

How many miles a week are you currently running? If possible, gradually increase that number before you begin your race training in January or February. Easiest way to do that is to add a day of running, so if you are currently running 3 days, start running 4. Best way to do that is to keep the current number of miles, but split them between the four days, so if you are running 12, you do 4 x 3 instead of 3 x 4. After a week or two, add a mile to one of your runs. Then add a mile to another run, etc.

I haven't done Nike Run Club. The only plans I've followed were Hal Higdon's and Pfitzinger, plus the Runners World plans when they were free.

Start your long runs a bit slower, then speed up the last few miles if you still have energy. I've found that if there is a big drop-off in my pace, it's always because I started too fast.

When you start doing longer long runs, you'll want to pay attention to what foods give you more energy and which upset your stomach. I found that I don't do well with very spicy or high fiber foods the day before my long run, or for lunch if I'm doing a late afternoon run. I also don't do well with a lot of sugar. YMMV I have a friend who fuels her marathons with donuts and Mountain Dew. When your runs get up to 90 minutes, you'll also want to start experimenting with fuel during your run. I found that some Gus taste good, some awful. Some upset my stomach, some don't. As I got more used to taking them, my stomach settled down a lot, but I'm still careful when trying something new.

Do as many outside runs as you can. You need to get used to the surface and to dealing with weather. I had a HM where the temperature at start time was 17F degrees. I had never run outside when it was below freezing. I did fine, but was pretty freaked out when I realized that the day's high didn't mean it was going to be 30 at 8:00 a.m. I also had a race where it rained the whole day. By getting practice in all kinds of weather, it was a lot easier to deal with. Definitely do your long runs outside, if possible. (I can handle cold, but icy roads or snowbanks make it hard to find safe places to run.)

You may want to take a look at this...

https://halhigdon.com/training-programs/half-marathon-training/novice-1-half-marathon/

I just started the 10k novice one a few days ago.

Also, if you are going to do a race outside, i would strongly advise on do most of your training outside. My sister can run 3 miles on a treadmill, but can't even run a quarter mile outside.

Also, if you know the race and course you are going to enter, you can research the course (ascent/descent) and find a place where you can train in similar conditions.

The best way to train for something is to train under the same conditions as the event.

I just started training for a half in March. It’s my goal personally. I just found a good plan online and made it work for me. It’s cold here but I run outside on hills pretty much because of where I live as much as I can. The race is outside rain or shine so I want to train in both.

TavistockToad wrote: »

1. No
2. How often do you currently run
3. You'll probably want to decrease your speed as your mileage increases
4. You don't need to change anything, though as you increase your mileage you may want to decrease your deficit.
5. If you half is outside, do as much running as you can outside.
6. Good shoes, practice fueling, do complimentary strength training & cross training

Have fun!

This is essentially what I'm doing as I train for a half marathon in January.

I'm not following a specific program.
I run 3-4 times a week, different distances.
I run my shorter distances faster, and my longer distances slower.
I haven't changed my nutrition.
My half marathon is outside, so most of my running is outside. I've done one treadmill run in the last year.
I got "fitted" for shoes, I cycle, walk, climb stairs, and do some light weights as well, and I'm still working on the fuelling. Fortunately, I can do a 10K without anything special.

All good information here. Make sure you listen to your body, stretch and use a roller to roll your muscles. Do not ignore pains and how you feel. Good sleep is essential to recovery as is eating more protein to rebuild muscles. I would recommend setting the treadmill at 1% incline to help mimic outdoor running. You can run some runs on the treadmill. This is a safer way to increase mileage. Don't stress over time. Just have fun and enjoy your race.

Don’t worry too much about the time if it’s your first one. Just get used to time on your feet and putting weekly mileage.
Don’t forget to strength train.
Find a good novice plan and use that as a blueprint.
I put all my people on a program that uses a lot of hills and tempo runs with only one long run a week and that being them the best results but listen to how your body is reacting.
And if you have it go to a running store and find the right shoes for you. (Good stores will have a person who will look at your gate and determine what type of shoe is best for you)

Yes, please feel free to jump in to the Running Challenge group! There are all levels of runners in the group, including some who are still doing 5k and some who have run Boston.

As you can see, running outside is important because of things like the sores on your feet. Learning how to manage your equipment, hydration and fueling, weather, and terrain are all part of doing a race, and you can't really duplicate that on a treadmill. Besides running outside is more fun!