How much harder is a full marathon compared to a half?

A HM every other day actually sounds like a pretty good way to build base if one can't run every day. I think that Arthur Lydiard would approve. A second, short and easy, run on those days would help even more.

A HM every other day actually sounds like a pretty good way to build base if one can't run every day. I think that Arthur Lydiard would approve. A second, short and easy, run on those days would help even more.

Maybe so. Unconventional to be sure. You are getting up into LSD range on each one of those though, depending upon your pace. Plenty of recover time too. I suppose if you added some fartleky stuff in one of them and a tempo section in another it could work. I'd think that fewer miles more frequently would be more effective though. *shrug*

What about the long runs all being 16+? Do you guys believe in alternating the long runs like 12, 20, 12, 20 or keeping all of them long?

about 50% harder.

We've already been over this.

A HM every other day actually sounds like a pretty good way to build base if one can't run every day. I think that Arthur Lydiard would approve. A second, short and easy, run on those days would help even more.

Maybe so. Unconventional to be sure. You are getting up into LSD range on each one of those though, depending upon your pace. Plenty of recover time too. I suppose if you added some fartleky stuff in one of them and a tempo section in another it could work. I'd think that fewer miles more frequently would be more effective though. *shrug*

What about the long runs all being 16+? Do you guys believe in alternating the long runs like 12, 20, 12, 20 or keeping all of them long?

Maybe not 12, 20 during the final stages of marathon training. More like 16, 20, 17, 20. Depends on your level of fitness too, obviously. I don't think back to back 16s would be that taxing. Not like 20s on back to back weeks would be.

about 50% harder.

We've already been over this.

Actually that would imply the second half is actually twice as easy as the first half.

First half is 13.1 miles. 50% harder would mean 13.1 + (13.1 / 2) = 19.65 miles assuming every mile is equally hard.

The correct incorrect answer would be 100% harder.

Look at the big brain on Brad! :laugh:

oh yeah, not letting the thread die just yet...................
I realize I have more to add. After reading all six pages of responses I thought I did it all wrong. My first organized run was the full and I trained alone. I did Hal Higdon's novice for full. I love that guy. Never met him.
I'm not off the full. Now I volunteer at mile marker 19 because that was the WORST for me. I even go out to that marker when I finish a half, just to support the runners. I really enjoy running and encourage others to just keep running.
$.04 Z

Sorry if this post doesn't land in the right spot, but thanks for the responses to my unconventional approach. Yes, I am running a half every other day at around 9:00/mi. I was doing shorter more frequent runs but that apparently contributed to shin splints and being sidelined for Nov-Dec. Bottom line is that at 43, my joints and bones seem to need a full day off from running. Cardio and muscles seem fine- I am not really sore even after the long runs. Time management is also an issue since I have two kids and an amazing wife to spend time with. I can swing a half "commuting" if I get up early enough. I cross train on the alternate days and take one weekend day off completely.

Thanks again, everyone!

I ran 2 half marathons and 4 Marine Corps marathons, 20 years ago. The half was fun too me and I used it as part of my training to motivate me. The full marathons were a hell of a lot harder, required more training and commitment, but was much more rewarding. The first full I went out to finish, the next 3 were like being addicted, I just wanted to beat my previous time. I actually ran one with the flu( realized morning of race I had it) but like dumb *kitten*, still ran. Well, either way, good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!!!! It's worth it in the end, in my opinion.

This might be a good place to get some advice.

I ran my first half back in Oct of 2011, have ran at leat a half almost every weekend since. I am planning to run a full in Nov, although I may run one the first weekend in Sept.

I am several weeks ahead in my training. Ran 20 miles 3 weeks ago, followed up with an 18, then 16. I am concerned about overtraining.

I have registered for a half Sept 2nd. They also have the full that same day. If I felt strong at the halfway point, I was considering continuing to run and at least get in a 18-20 mile run or keep going for the full. Not sure that it is wise to consider running the full in Sept and maybe, I should hold back on my training to be ready for the full in Nov. I would have to taper for the Sept full.
If I didn't finish the full in Sept , I may have over done it and not be able to be ready for the full in Oct.

May be wiser to pull back a bit now and run the half in Sept and be ready for the full in Nov.

Thanks for any help.

Couple points to consider.

You should have one recovery day for every mile raced. So, if you race 26.2, you should have almost 4 weeks of recovery time. For some runners, this means nothing to walking and other forms of cross training for that time. More experienced runners will take less time off from running, but start back up with real easy running and a lot fewer miles than during marathon training. As you stated your first HM was just this past year, I would think you would fall more toward the former. That being said, doing a marathon in October and one in November would not be something I would suggest.

Running the HM in September is a great idea for your build up to a marathon. If it's early enough in September, it might be appropriate for either an October or November marathon. I would discourage the idea of "running it and seeing how I feel" and making a decision to go the entire route. In order to get the best benefit from that HM, you should be racing it. Your HM race pace is going to be significantly faster than your marathon pace. If raced properly, you won't feel like you can go any further when you finish.

As for your training, if you are already doing 20s, then I think you might be on the verge of overdoing it. I ran the Baltimore Marathon last year on October 15th. I did my first 20 mile run September 3rd. I was doing high mileage, but the long runs weren't up to that level (55 to 65 miles per week). By the time the race rolled around, I was fit and fresh after a 10 day taper and I ran a 3:26 (a 12 minute PR). Have you looked at any marathon training plans, or are you just winging it? Hal Higdon is generally recognized for really good plans.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.