Half marathon

[Queenie17]

Good morning all🌞As I am now running consistent 10k wondered if I might try half marathon? I have run 16k once but feel I need some guidance to improve distance. Can anyone recommend a training plan that isnt too complicated. Thanks

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi Queenie17 , why not pop over to the Marathon Running and Race Support forum and post there too?

I can't help directly re a half-marathon training plan, I'm afraid, because I don't want to see my running as "training", I just go with the flow. Sometimes I have slow and tired what-the-hell-am-I-doing runs, other days I have blissful I-can-run-forever runs.

The latter is how I ended up running both my first 10 mile run and my one-and-only-to-date half-marathon: I felt good, weather conditions were lovely and I had the time, so I just carried on until I hit the distance. Not exactly recommended though - I believe the sensible way to go involves increases of not more than 10% per week...

[Queenie17 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks cmoi, I have been doing the same as you by the sounds if things, just going with the flow. I know what you mean about 'training', its too rigid for me😄I had looked at some plans online and to be honest they all seemed a bit too involved for me. I went out this morning thinking lets do 5k and see how we go😂ended up doing 10k and thats how I roll. I will try the add 10% and see how I go. Thanks for the tip👍

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Queenie17]

You're welcome

Not overdoing it is the key to the increases. Although I have to confess to breaking the 10% rule, I gave myself more rest days between my longer runs, and did shorter runs in between, as I didn't want to get injured.

[Daiwalker]

I was introduced to Hal Higdon years ago. I know he used to have some free training plans but I haven't looked him up recently. I now use Endomondo (I pay the yearly subscription) for my training plans as I like the fact the plan adapts to your input. For example, once a month the plan invites you to do a "cooper run". The result of this cooper run alters the next few weeks plan to suit your fitness level.

I'm sure there are many more out there but these are a couple I've used. Good luck!

[Queenie17 Graduate10 in reply to Daiwalker]

Thanks for the info. I did look at the Hal Higdon but wasnt for me.😀

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

I have just started the HM plan on my Garmin - will see how it goes. So far most of the workouts seem fairly flexible (yesterday's run was speed intervals but you could do extra time on the plain run session) and the plan adapts to what you do.

[Queenie17 Graduate10 in reply to Blackberrypie]

Was considering a garmin but there are quite a few and I'm not very goid with too much choice😂just out of interest, which one do you have? Thanks for the reply btw.

[Blackberrypie Graduate10 in reply to Queenie17]

Forerunner 45s, though I think the coaching offering is the same on all the models that have it.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Just extend your long run each week by 1 to 1.5km. Start taking a couple of sweets at about 8km, 13km and 18km. You don’t need a plan for a half. Make sure every 3-4 weeks you drop back and have a rest week.

[Queenie17 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks for the tips👍

[Roxdog Graduate10]

I'm sure that if you've run 16k you can run a half marathon distance. I have only just run my first 10 mile but did it on the day, with no plan. It depends how you like to do your runs I think. I am a non-planner and trick myself into longer runs. I don't want to feel disappointed ever so I just see what happens on the day. That way,every run is into the unknown, which motivates me.

Am planning to get to a half marathon gradually, but who knows, one day soon it might just happen accidentally.

The marathon forum will have lots of people with ideas about a trainin g plan I'm sure, so there's no right or wrong approach it seems.

Good luck!

[Queenie17 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks Roxdog I think I will try a 'looser'approach and see what happens. Lately I have been aiming for 10k then see how I feel, thats how I got to 16k, maybe there is no right or wrong

Thanks for your input😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Definitely look at a looser approach. I’ve run about 6 x 10Ks. I ran my second 10 miles this morning. I don’t want to follow a plan as such. I’ll probably do another 10K next week. Then after that - maybe another 10 miles or a bit further. Then on a day when I’m feeling strong, I’ll just go for it! That’s how I got to 10 miles and it worked well for me. I take it slowly, I’m not a fast runner, but I listen to my body.

[Queenie17 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you, super advice👍I think I will continue with my'see how I feel'approach. Happy running🏃🏃😄