Hal Higdon Half training

bshedwick
bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm stuck. I dont know if I should do Hal Higdon's Novice 1 or 2 plan.

The race in May will be my first. I can easily run more than the starting distances of both. I can bang out 6 miles pretty easily. I've already run 11.25 miles at just over my hoped for race pace.

I can do some speed work, but not the intermediate level just yet. I do want to do strength training and flexibility work as well.

Anyone else been in the same boat? Just trying to get some feedback

Replies

  • brandysilvers
    brandysilvers Posts: 25 Member
    I was in the same boat back in November. I was torn between Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon plan and his Intermediate 1 plan. I chose the Intermediate 1 plan and I haven’t regretted the choice. If you can easily do the starting distances, then don’t be afraid to push yourself a little with the tougher plan.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    It sounds like you are not a novice...I use a training plan from runners world..I choose what I want my finish time to be and I pick the plan... if you google marathon training plans you can find a lot...tailor one to what you can do. If your race is in May, you have plenty of time to get ready....rule of thumb is to increase your distance by 10% each week...

    I run something like this...each run is a different day:

    long, slow run/hills or intervals/shorter run at race speed/easy run/long run/short recovery run at mod. pace...I run about 5 - 6days a week...my long runs are at about 10 miles, a short run is no less than 4 miles...I will start increasing my long runs, I have a 1/2 marathon in April...I will run the 13 miles about 3 weeks before the race and than start tapering it back down...

    I also strength train and take fitness classes: spinning, kick boxing, kettlebells, etc...

    I hope this helps!
  • FunRun08
    FunRun08 Posts: 203 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I have a half in May as well, and have been keeping my long runs in the 6-7 mile range over the winter. I'm not a beginner, I ran a half in October, but I suffered a foot injury so lost a lot of the progress I made. My time last fall was 2:07 so my goal is to get in under 2:00.

    Anyway, lol I will do the intermediate if you do :)
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    It sounds like you are not a novice...I use a training plan from runners world..I choose what I want my finish time to be and I pick the plan... if you google marathon training plans you can find a lot...tailor one to what you can do. If your race is in May, you have plenty of time to get ready....rule of thumb is to increase your distance by 10% each week...

    I run something like this...each run is a different day:

    long, slow run/hills or intervals/shorter run at race speed/easy run/long run/short recovery run at mod. pace...I run about 5 - 6days a week...my long runs are at about 10 miles, a short run is no less than 4 miles...I will start increasing my long runs, I have a 1/2 marathon in April...I will run the 13 miles about 3 weeks before the race and than start tapering it back down...

    I also strength train and take fitness classes: spinning, kick boxing, kettlebells, etc...

    I hope this helps!

    Thanks!
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I have a half in May as well, and have been keeping my long runs in the 6-7 mile range over the winter. I'm not a beginner, I ran a half in October, but I suffered a foot injury so lost a lot of the progress I made. My time last fall was 2:07 so my goal is to get in under 2:00.

    Anyway, lol I will do the intermediate if you do :)

    If I had a track to do the quarter mile repeats, I would probably opt for the intermediate.

    I've never run any race longer than a 10k before, but I know I can do the 13.1 miles now. I just need to work on speed and my time goal.
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    I was in the same boat back in November. I was torn between Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon plan and his Intermediate 1 plan. I chose the Intermediate 1 plan and I haven’t regretted the choice. If you can easily do the starting distances, then don’t be afraid to push yourself a little with the tougher plan.

    Had you run a half before starting the Intermediate plan?
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    You can always tweak or add/subtract speedwork to a plan that you like.

    Given your level of running already, another suggestion would be to keep up your current "maintenance" program (because I see no point in going backwards to accomodate the start of a plan) then starting at the appropriate lead in use his marathon novice 2 program that has you racing a half @ week 9. My opinion is that if you have the ability & time to train, taking you long runs up over the half distance really helps you when you race that distance.
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    Rybo,

    Thanks for the advice. I'd rather not top out at 10 miles in training, only to have to do another 3 more, and not know that I can physically do that.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    Rybo,

    Thanks for the advice. I'd rather not top out at 10 miles in training, only to have to do another 3 more, and not know that I can physically do that.


    I always run 13 miles a few weeks before my race, just so I know that I can....
  • mirgss
    mirgss Posts: 275 Member
    Rybo,

    Thanks for the advice. I'd rather not top out at 10 miles in training, only to have to do another 3 more, and not know that I can physically do that.

    If you can run 10 miles, you can run 13. It's all mental :)
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