How to Train for a Half Marathon

lauradian
lauradian Posts: 32
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey all!
A couple friends & I want to participate in a half marathon- just to be able to say we did something we never thought we could do! I am SO not a fan of running- I currently hike, do the elliptical & I'm doing 30 day shred- but were all active even if overweight.
Just wanted to get some tips from those of you who participate in marathons and half marathons as to how to best plan & train for one as well as how long in advance I should start training before hand :)
Thanks!

Replies

  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I use Hal Higdon's half marathon training plan, modified slightly based on my schedule and goals. I sort of combined a couple of his plans to get what I was looking for based off of how I did with his 10-K training plan. The schedule I'm on is a 12 week program, but it starts with already being able to run 5-6 miles. So if you can't do that yet, add some time on and start with one of his 5-K or 10-K programs and build into the half marathon training.

    What I currently do is this:
    Monday - strength, both upper and lower body, heavy weights, low reps, three sets
    Tuesday - run, in increasing distances every two weeks, about half of the weekly long run distance
    Wednesday - alternate weeks of hill training and fartleks. Doing this because I want to increase speed and I'm running my half in San Francisco, so the course has three solid inclined and lots of small ones.
    Thursday - same strength sets as Monday, 3 miles run
    Friday - rest
    Saturday - cardio cross train (typically I do ARC trainer, can be bike, elliptical, whatever's preferred) in increasing lengths of time every two weeks
    Sunday - long run day, one mile increase each week. But I modified it so I'll be running the full length before my actual half. The original plan only went up to 12 miles.

    I'm running my half on April 8th and love Hal Higdon's plans. I used one for my 7-K and my 10-K and hit personal bests on time and average pace on both. I had an illness setback in January, so my pace is still a bit off from where it had been before, but I'm seeing improvements week over week, consistently.

    Have fun and good luck!
  • xxTAMxx
    xxTAMxx Posts: 573 Member
    Bump :)
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    Oh, and I don't do the friending thing, really. But if you wanna talk from one overweight beginner runner who's worked up to what will be a 10.5 mile run tomorrow from not being able to run for a minute at a time a year ago, send me a message. :)
  • DontThinkJustRun
    DontThinkJustRun Posts: 248 Member
    There are SO many plans to choose from, Hal's programs are fantastic, but if you're not a fan of running be sure you pick a plan that truly fits your lifestyle and is conservative with the miles, just in case you don't fall in love with it, you don't want to burn out. I think I would like Marathon Training Academy's 1/2 program for you. But there are many many others. For your first 1/2 any plan will get you across the finish line, but the question is will you have fun doing it? That's where finding a program that suits you comes in. Also, just because you're training for a 1/2 don't ditch cross training, it's an important component of any running plan. Good luck, I know you can do it, but be careful that running bug doesn't bite you, it's contagious:)
  • leahnoelle31
    leahnoelle31 Posts: 79 Member
    Check out marathonrookie.com. They have a great running schedule to train for a half (or full) for beginners. This is what I used to train for my first half and have now modified it to fit my schedule. I love the half marathon distance! I just signed up for my 5th race and am contemplating singing up for a full... Good luck!
  • whirligig24
    whirligig24 Posts: 14 Member
    I am SO not a fan of running- I currently hike, do the elliptical

    This was me 6 months ago! A friend told me that to find the joy of running I had to keep running. I told her she was crazy, I have never liked running, and could never see myself liking it at all. I couldn't run a half a mile without breathing heavy and feeling like death was imminent. BUT I listened anyway and kept running. Now I LOVE IT! My body craves it. I can't wait until my next run. I never, ever thought I would say that. The feeling you get from running your longest distance yet, or faster than you were before is amazing. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen if you just keep running! Happy running! :)
  • lauradian
    lauradian Posts: 32
    Awesome thanks all!! I appreciate all the words of wisdom :)
  • catweazle12
    catweazle12 Posts: 60 Member
    I'm a firm believer in surrounding yourself with like minded people all that energy and positiveness rubs off on me! So, if you have a running store in your neighbourhood they will have training clinics for everything from running 5K to a full marathon, IronMan etc.
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