Half Marathon Training

Hello Everyone!

So two of my friends and I are planning to run our first half marathon on October 24th. I have found numerous training plans that are all about 12 weeks long and I have been trying to research as much as possible as none of us have ever been runners in the past. Most of the plans say that if you can run 3 miles or if you can run for 30 minutes you can start the beginner 12 week training programs.

Because all three of us are a little clueless right now except for knowing we can run those amounts and also all the research I have been doing I was looking to get some advice....is 12 weeks enough training for a first time half marathon? We do not care about how fast we complete it, we just want to do it and preferrably run the whole time.

Does anyone know of good websites or training programs, nutrition, etc. that they would recommend?

Thanks for the help :)

You have 14 weeks to your race.  12 weeks is doable if your goal is to "finish", which it should be for your first half marathon.  I personally prefer a 16 or 18 week plan.

You can jump into the Jeff Galloway 19 week plan at week 14, or you can go with a 12 week plan, and do some "smart" pre-training to get you comfortably up to the starting mileage of the first week's long run.

Keys to your training.  Stay hydrated on your long slow runs, and don't worry about speed, or walking.  The whole purpose of your long slow run is to build endurance.  That means time on your feet.

Check out the good selection of books on Amazon too, and good luck!!

EDIT:  Don't jump in at week 14 on Galloway's plan.  That would be too much...

I used Hal Higdon's plan when I trained for my half marathon.

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice. htm

It was really manageable and I loved my first half marathon!

Thank you for the advice!!! I actually have looked at Hal Higdon's plan along with a few others, so glad you recommended it!

Also, I heard that you should drink something other than water on long runs...like some kind of sports drink....any recommendations?

THANKS :)

I only drank water on my training long runs because my mouth would get really spitty if I tried to drink Gatorade or something like that. :-( I was always careful to make sure that I got a good meal in before I ran, though (not too close together, obviously), so I had enough energy. The last long run I did before my race I practiced using GU packets, which you will need to stay energized on race day... I used 2 GU packets during my race and really just practiced how to eat them while running 2 weeks before my race.

If you don't know what GU packets are, here's the link... http://www.guenergy.com/products/gu-energy-ge l

Good luck training, and let me know if you have any questions! :-)

Original Post by melis41o:

Thank you for the advice!!! I actually have looked at Hal Higdon's plan along with a few others, so glad you recommended it!

Also, I heard that you should drink something other than water on long runs...like some kind of sports drink....any recommendations?

 

THANKS :)

There are reasons to drink sports drink versus water during the race.

1.  You need the calories

2.  You need the sodium

3.  Not to mention the hydration.

If you are going to do your half marathon in over a 2.5 hour period, than a Gel, Gu, Sports beans or something will help you.  If you need just a few calories, then a sports drink is fine.  If you don't need any calories, then just drink water.  I typically grab whatever I feel like I need at the aide stations.  Most of the time its water, and if I need sodium, then I take a salt tab.  You shouldn't need extra salt for a half marathon.

If you do decide to go with a sports drink, then ideally you should train with what they will be handing out on race day, probably a Gatorade product.  You don't want to train with say Powerade then get stuck with a flavor of Gatorade on race day that you don't like.  Nothing new on race day!

First off, CONGRATS!! It took me quite some time to feel comfortable with my running and pace to dare running a half-marathon. Hopefully, this one goes great, and there are more to come :)

I've been looking online for the 10week 1/2 marathon training guide that I used for my May '09 race, but am having a bit of trouble locating it. I did however find this training guide that is relatively the same as the one I tried:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.as p?uan=99

It's a good one for beginners and isn't too intense. As long as you've been working some long-distance running into your weekly exercises, you should be able to do this program no problem.

Thank you everyone for all the advice and tips! I really appreciate it all :)

Hey! I'm running my first half-marathon in two weeks!! I just started training with my fuel belt to get used to it. I love it to death!! I don't have to worry about the next water fountain and stop. I fill one 8 ounce bottle with water and one with water with a Nuun tablet. The Nuun replaces electrolytes like gatorade but it doesnt have all the extra sugar. I hate gatorade it upsets my stomach so this works great. I also use Gu Energy gels on long runs. I alternate sip of the Nuun and water and then take my Gu (favorite flavor is vanilla bean) at mile 5 in a 10 mile run. 

To say the least... it was an awesome run. You just need to experiment with what works for you. Congrats on your commitment and good luck!!

Thanks for the tip, I also hate gatorade...I don't like to taste of pretty much any sports drink and they don't really settle very well with my stomach. I think the water and the Energy gels for the longer runs are going to be the way to go for me. I'll have to check into those Nuun tablets too and see!

I am really excited to start training! My two friends and I are starting a week from today :)

Thanks again!

Good luck on your half marathon in two weeks!!!!

hey! i'm almost fifteen, and im already running my first half marathon! it's on october 11 (:

my goal is to finish in under 2 hours (:

That is exciting! Good for you! :)

I hope you make it in your goal time! Are you on track or cross country with your high school?

Lots of good advice.. i would just add that if you plan on using gu's etc (which you probably will) try out different brands/ flavours etc BEFORE the race. Some people have problems with certain brands and/ or flavours and you really don't want to find out during a race that a particular brand goes right through you....