Half Marathon Training

SummerBoston10

Hi ladies.  I don't come to TK too much now that I'm married but I found this board particularly helpful in losing weight for my wedding so I thought I would come back for some advice. 

I am scheduled to run my first half marthon January 30, so about 12 weeks away.  I found a novice training schedule on-line but was wondering if anyone had a recommended training schedule for a person running their first half. 

Any other advice, tips, etc.??  Thanks!

raynes

I've heard good things on the Nest about the Hal Higdon training plans.  Nike+ has training plans too.

SummerBoston10

Ok good, Hal Higdon is the one that I have. 

xctennis

I've used the new balance training plan for the marathon and half, and there are plenty of training plans on runners world as well that I use for my speed training days.  Good luck!

lizhudson88

Week	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1 (2/22)	3	3	3	Rest	4	Rest	Rest	13
2 (3/1)	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5	Rest	15
3 (3/8)	3	4	3	Rest	6	Rest	Rest	16
4 (3/15)	3	5	Rest	3	8	Rest	Rest	19
5 (3/22)	4	5	Rest	10	2	Rest	Rest	21
6 (3/29)	4	5	5	6	Rest	Rest	Rest	20
7 (4/5)	4	5	Rest	12	Rest	5	Rest	26
8 (4/12)	4	6	Rest	8	4	Rest	Rest	22
9 (4/19)	3	Rest	Walk 2	5	Rest	13.1	Rest	21.1

This is the one I used for the Music City Half in Nashville in April (that's what the dates on the side of this are.) Be sure to STRETCH a lot before the actual half and drink gatorade! I was sooo sore afterwards and my stomach was upset because of the loss of electrolytes.  It's a rush though and lots of fun! You can do it!

kristen8040

I use the runners world one (just type half marathon program in google and it comes up.)

I thought it worked well, good luck!

BreaAnn

I am also planning to do my first half marathon in May!  It's exciting and a bit nerve racking!  Good luck!!!

SummerBoston10

Thank you girls for the advice!  Out of curiosity what were your times for your first half?  For some reason I have a goal of 2 hours in my head but am afraid now that that might be a bit unrealistic!

kristen8040

I finished in 2:33 for my first and actually the same time for my second.  I had hoped to drop about 15 mins. from my first but had a bad race.

What is your average pace for a 5k?  I run about a 9:30 so I run an 11:45 for the half, it's a little slower than recommended but it's where I feel comfortable.

SummerBoston10

I haven't really run many road races.  I did a 9K while I was getting in shape before my wedding and I ran a pace of around 8:50.  I am in better shape now but a half is a more than twice as long! 

kristen8040

I think once you start your training program, you'll quickly begin to see what pace you're comfortable at for longer periods of time.  Say you slow down to a 10:00 minute pace for the half, my pace calculator has you finishing at about 2 hours and 11 minutes.   That means you'll have to run more of a 9:05 pace to go under 2 hours.  Good luck!

a2joy

I used a Hal Higdon plan to train for my first marathon which was 5 weeks ago.  Worked great for me, so I recommend his plans!