Half Marathon Training help...suggestions :)

I'm no fitness expert but have run four so far. I checked around for a training plan when working toward my first and here's what I ended up doing: Go for a short run on 3-4 days per week. Aim for 30-45 minutes at a slightly faster than your ideal race-pace. You should be tired when you finish. Once per week, go for a long run. Run at a slower than race pace, just keeping your speed slow and comfortable. Start with an hour long run and each week increase your time by 10%. About 4 weeks before the race, drop your long runs to every other week. Your last long run should be two weeks before race day.

You may have to adjust since your race is pretty soon. I had about 4 months to train.... good luck and enjoy!!!

Google Hal Higdon. He has a great plan for a half marathon and different levels for different runners. It's free and it got me through my two halfs successfully.

Try this plan. It has been successful for most people. Good Luck! I run my first in April

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Happy New Year!!!! I am signed up for a half marathon the end of February. I don't expect to run the whole thing.. but I want to make a good effort!!! I completed a running group in November and went from close to death running 3 mins to running 20 mins straight! I workout 5-6 days a week, spin, step, zumba, Hot Yoga, hiking, walk running, and weight lifting class. Getting more fit every day:happy:

Today I pushed to run 30 mins straight then walked to a local park and ran some more...but it was a little bit of a challenge...then I hiked for a mile or so. Burned over 800 calories and feeling pretty good about it. But I need to figure out a training schedule to push myself alittle harder. I am looking for suggestions.

THANKS!!!!!!!!! May you reach your goals in 2012...I know I WILL :bigsmile:

i would try C25K its a running program. there are groups for it on here

Hope all goes well... for some mental inspiration, try reading Marathoning for Mortals... It was what helped me believe I could do a marathon. I bet you will be hooked after finishing! Best of luck on your training.

I've heard that the Couch-to-5K running plan is helpful. There's an app for it too. IDK the exact website but you should be able to Google it.

I am training for my first half marathon in March. I also am using Hal Higdon's novice training program. My goal is really just to finish and feel a sense of accomplishment. I've also been checking out Jeff Galloway's site, it has some great info too! He has lots of information about incorporating walk breaks into runs. Good luck to us!! We can do it!

I've trained for two & completed one half marathon, and I have done one full marathon. Here are a few things I've learned & what advice I would share... Hal Higdon's training program for Novice 1 is a great program. Jeff Galloway also has a great program that is a combination of walking & running. Your goal should be to enjoy the experience itself, soak up the atmosphere, and simply finish. This is going to be a huge accomplishment, so don't put pressure on yourself for splits or a particular finish time!

Read up articles on proper nutrition and fueling. You will need to carb load especially before the long runs so that you have enough stored up blood sugar so that you don't feel exhausted during your runs. Active.com and CoolRunning.com are great resources for articles on everything from nutrition to gear to training and injuries. Their editorial staff really knows what they're talking about -- they are all pretty much elite athletes!

On those longer runs, you will need calories (GU/gels or gummies). Experiment specifically to see what works for you. Some gels can cause stomach upset or dizziness. You might find out what kind of sport drink & gels they will provide the day of the race -- try them to see if they work for you. If you don't like them, find something you do like and then take some with you the day of the race. Which brings me to another point... You will need to invest in a good hydration system if you're not running somewhere like a park with water fountains. There are backpack styles and belt systems and handheld water bottle systems. Find something that will work for you and keep hydrated on the run! They also have storage pockets in pretty much all 3 of the styles available, so you can store your gels and take whatever sport drink works for you in case your stomach doesn't agree with what the race is providing.

To avoid really sore muscles after your long runs, do treat your legs to a cold treatment. Use an ice bath if you can stand it, or just ice packs, or do an ice massage (freeze ice in paper cups and then peel the cup away to reveal the ice & then massage muscles with it). You will save yourself a lot of pain in the long run by temporarily "suffering" the pain of ice.

Congratulations and have a great time! It will be hard work, but the rush of victory feels so great when you complete your first half marathon on race day!