OK, I have set a goal. I will run a 1/2 marathon in March 2011. The farthest I have ever run before is 6.8 miles. I intend to run a 10K this summer with a few 5Ks. If anyone has a good plan to train for their 1st 1/2 marathon, I would love to use it. Thanks.
Last edited by upnorthmom; 01-12-2010 at 07:53 PM.
Reason: Oops, wrong year orig. posted
Well, I am no expeert by any means. And with that being said, I have done a few half marathons and felt pretty good afterwards. I did the same as you. I had done a few 5k's and 10k's. I just started increasing my long run by a mile every week until I could comfortably cover the distance. I also alternated each week with a tempo run and intervals. This type of training has worked out pretty good for me. Hope this helps you some...good luck with your training!
I think the Higdon plans are good ones to use for newer runs or when you are going to attempt a first longer race like a HM or Marathon. The novice plans just have you running 4 days a week which I think are pretty do-able for most people.
I followed Higdon for my first HM, as well as my first Marathon, and used it as a guideline. I tried to follow the recommended mileage each week, but would often have to switch up the days I did those miles depending on my schedule. And there were a few weeks that I'd have to bag a day here or there and that's fine too. I wasn't able to get in the cross training days like his plans usually incorporated, but that's fine too. If you pretty much just follow the mileage part of his plans, it'll get you to a point where you can cover the distance of your race and that should really be your primary goal the first time you do a race of any distance.
I highly recommend his plans for the first time you want to race a longer distance. They are manageable without being overwhelming.
I am following the Higdon training schedule now. I started on Monday. with some changes due to schedule problems. I think it will be a good program for me. There is the Gallaway 1/2 marathon training schedule. I use his book running, getting started when I first started running. I don't walk much any more but when I'm tired and I want to run I'll separate each mile with 30 second of easy walking. My physician actually gave me the Gallaway book. He runs the Boston marathon every year and he's 75 years old. He uses the Gallaway methods.
I'll also echo Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloways methods. I tend to like Jeff's a bit better, but equally both are about the same. Just try to increase 10% each week. As you're running, find a spot that you know is further ahead and make a goal to reach that spot, whether it be a certain tree, sign, house, whatever.
Best of luck on your half. Please update us on how it goes. I am not actively training for a 1/2 yet. But, I will be in the next couple of months. Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and good luck in your halfs.
Best of luck on your half. Please update us on how it goes. I am not actively training for a 1/2 yet. But, I will be in the next couple of months. Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and good luck in your halfs.
Good luck to you. When you do go to start training, I would suggest as you near your 13.1 mile mark goal, strive to go to at least 14 or 15 miles. This way you are "over-trained" in the miles dept. and you'll finish good and solid and not be entirely pooped out because technically you'll have some reserve under your belt.
My 1st 1/2 Marathon
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