Half marathon training

bumping. want to hear some advice too

I'm currently about a 5k level with a similar goal. The training plans I've looked at have you going from 3 miles to 13.1 in 10-12 weeks. I'm now looking at an April goal. Feel free to add me!

There's a number of websites out there that will design a training plan to get you to your goal. I use Runner's World's Smart Coach (available at this link: http://smartcoach.runnersworld.com/smartcoach/ and as a free iPod Touch and iPhone App). You input your current racing ability (for me, a 5k at 23:49) and what your goal race is (for me, the Princess Half-Marathon in February), about how many miles you want to pull per week and what day you want to do your long run. The site does the rest of the work for you, once a week is a LSD run, usually once a week is some kind of speed work. I'm in week 9 or 10 and I can't say any one week has been too excruciating.

Jeff Galloway (former Olympian, all around running smart-guy) also has some plans through active.com, I can't remember which are free and which aren't.

I've heard good things about the bridge to 10k program, but personally didn't take it. As part of my normal running before starting my road to the Princess Half, my Saturday long run was around 6 miles anyway, so I didn't think the 10k program was worth it for me.

My biggest piece of advice, if you're going to come up with a goal race, go register for it. Plunking down a wad of cash is a helluva good motivator, especially over the summer when you need to go out in the heat and run. That $135 I dropped on the Princess Half has been good to get me out of bed at 5:30 in the morning on more than one weekend (and, yes, the Disney races are really that expensive. That was "first day to register" fee level).

I have done six full marathons and three triathlons. The first time I ran a marathon when I started training I was right at 195lbs and lost down to 170 during the training. I can probably give a few tips if your final goal is a marathon of half.

If I were you I would try to increase my daily runs to at least four per week and try to up the mileage to four miles. This is to condition you better. I would do this for my daily training until it becomes easy.

The key to endurance events is being used to the distance. This means that in addition to your daily runs you need to schedule every other Saturday (or Sunday) for long runs. Planning backwards from the race day and leaving ta week free with no long runs before the race what you want to do is gradually work up closer to the distance of the race. For me that means I would run 8 miles one Saturday then two weeks later up that to ten. Then just keep adding every two weeks from 10 to 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24. For a half marathon I wold try to do 6, 8, 10 at least. Feel free to go ahead and do 13. It is really not that hard once you get in good shape and should not affect your race performance as long as you leave two weeks to recover.

Marathons require a lot of training. I always did five days of 6 miles then the long runs according to the schedule. It takes four good months to train for a marathon and that is if you are already in descent shape. For a half you can do this at a more leisurely pace but find the event you want to participate in and plan backwards as I said. This is one way to train. I am sure there are others and I am no expert. I am a guy who has done this before more than once and my best time marathon time was 3:20.

Feel free to "friend me" or contact me and shoot any questions you have.

It is doable and it sounds like you are off to a great start. I started running in February and did a half marathon this past October. Currently about to start training for my second half. Feel free to add me if you like. I love supporting other runners

Google "Jeff Galloway" and "Hal Higdon" for free starter training plans (for my first half marathon I used one based off of Jeff Galloway's run/walk method but tweaked it to meet my own needs) For most half marathon training plans, a 10 miler will be your longest training run a few weeks before the half, but Jeff Galloway's plan actually brings you through a 14 mile long run. Lots of varying opinions on whether you need to run "race distance" prior to your actual race. Due to illness, I missed a couple training runs and I did an 11.5 mile training run about 3 weeks before my half, then tapered for the next few weeks. Came through the half just fine.

Use caution when increasing mileage on a weekly basis--also, drop your speed down for your long runs. That will help prevent injury and help you with your endurance. For example, if you're currently running a 12minute mile, drop your speed to 13 or even 14 minute miles for your long runs. You can still run at your preferred pace during your shorter runs, or use one of your weekly runs as a "speedwork" session in which you would do intervals at a faster pace than normal.

Also, experiment with hydration, fuel, shoes, racegear, etc on your training runs. Don't do anything new on race day, if you can help it.

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

I use Hal Higdon's training guides. He has something for runners at any level, training for any distance. His site also has tons of great advice.

Also, don't forget to REST!! The day before your long run and just do a little light cardio the day after your long run.

I couldnt agree more with NYMPH3T4M1N3

I didnt do a 10k race before doing my first HM (ive done 6 HM and 2 full marathons to date). Its all about the training. Hal Higdons plan got me to the finish line. I highly recommend it! You can make your training plan as long as you want. Stick to the plan, and you will get there!