1st Half Marathon - just have a few questions

Hey All,

I was looking to sign up for my first half marathon, probably beginning - mid 2009.

Normally, are there any type of pre-qualifications needed?  Such as being able to run it in a certain time, or certain experience?

Thanks,

Most races do have a time limit, but don't be worried.  Almost anyone can finish, even if they are walking, within the time limit.  I would recomend you run at least one shorter distance race before you run a half marathon.  As far as training goes, you need to decide what your goal is and then train for it.  If you just want to finish, you will not need to train as hard as if you want a certian time or pace.  Check out runnersworld.com or coolrunning.com for some training schedules.

I started running last spring and have run 2 half marathons in the last year and a bit (I didn't bother starting out with shorter races, I jumped straight to the half).  When I started I was a non-running, smoker, so DON'T worry, as long as you train and take it seriously, you will finish. 

Most race time-limits are a ridiculously long time, like 5 hours, even if you jogged really slowly (like 4 mph), you would still finish with time to spare.

I agree with bubba, go online and research some training schedules, pick something that you can stick to and go for it! Oh, and start out slow, don't kill yourself off the go, or it won't be any fun and you won't want to keep going.

Good luck!

Hi Bubba,
I've seen a bunch of schedules for training, however I am not sure how long it "should" take.  Meaning the average time.  I can do a few 5k runs the upcoming months to train for the 1/2 marathon.  But I am not very fast.  For a 5mile run, it took me nearly 60 minutes.

I would say that the average pace is somewhere around 9:00 mile.  That would be 1:58:00 time for a half marathon.  Don't worry about where you place compared to everyone else, just try and better your own times and have fun.

Thanks Bubba,

I'll work on bettering my own time.  The race is somewhat far from now.  I'll try to get a few 5k and 10k races in there before.

Hi!  I'm training for a half right now, and this schedule has been working out really well: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice. htm.  The midweek runs are no longer than 5 miles, which is very doable time-wise with a full time job, and there are a fair number of cross train days for recovery.  This training plan is 12 weeks, but it assumes a base of 3 miles a few times a week, so allow yourself some time to build up a solid base if you're not there yet so that you don't get injured or go too far too fast and burn out.  Also, make sure when you train you're running outside because a treadmill isn't even close to the real thing!  But if you have to run on a treadmill some of the days, just make sure the incline is at least 1.0 to approximate wind resistance, etc.

I hope you live somewhere warm, so you're not having to train during the winter!  And good luck!

If your race has any qualifying requirements or a time limit, they'll be spelled out pretty clearly on the race website or registration form. Most don't.

To find out how long a race "should" take, try this calculator at Runner's World. It says that if you run 5 miles in an hour, a half-marathon "should" take you 2:46.

If you're still not sure, sign up for a race that allows walkers as well as runners. Then you'll know the course will stay open for hours!

I'll check out that training schedule.  I can run the 3 mile base so far.  I'd prefer to run outside as well.  Running on a treadmill is much easier and I don't think would help, however some days I will have to run indoors. 

I've checked out a few race sites and see some have qualifications, but others dont.  I'll pick the right one, eventually :)