Just A Thought

[mrrun]

Can anyone recommend a good training guide for half marathon? I’m only just enjoying the newly found 10K scenario and plan to consolidate it over the coming winter but as with anything else that I do, I plan long ahead and would like to cement the idea in my head well before it really happens.

Two of my family friends ran London marathon and one participated in half marathon, but (sigh) those guys are over 20 years younger than me (one nearly 30), run 5-6 times per week and do 5K in 15-20 min. They have run since always and their regime would probably kill me.

I may decide that 10K is what’s good for me but there’s no damage in exploring other ideas, I think

[Kallyfudge Marathon]

My eyes were opened by reading Daniels running formula. Has training plans and explanations for why certain workouts are useful etc.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Kallyfudge]

Great, good to know, I'll look it up! Thank you!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to mrrun]

10% rule weekly run length increase. C25k+ podcasts are good practice

I use myasics half marathon training plans which are very detailed.

[PippiRuns in reply to misswobble]

MyAsics here too! Recommend it.

[Tomas Marathon]

I used Hal Higdon's plans for my first half and first full. Highly recommended. He has several flavours (novice / intermediate / expert). Here's a link to the novice HM plan:

halhigdon.com/training/5113...

I also agree with @Kallyfudge that Jack Daniels's running forula is good. The benefit of a book over "just" an internet plan is all the background information that allows you to tweak and personalise the plan, rather than just running whatever it says on a piece of paper.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

When I did my first HM: healthunlocked.com/couchto5... ( here is the low down). I basically upped my long run by 10% a week, did a 5k and a 10k/ intervals on average 3 runs a week, and I did it.... I think you cant beat this approach for your first one, but you may like proper training plans ( I never have!!). I think the Myasics is very popular.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Thank you all!

[C3PO Marathon]

I agree with the others about increasing your total mileage by 10% every week. You should include one interval workout a week.

I've been using Mapmyrun for years, and have plotted in a training program. I find it particularly handy for the interval sessions. I can't manage them on my own, but it helps when the app tells me if I'm too fast or too slow.

I've been a bit skeptical about the app, but considering how much I improved my PB during the weekend's HM, I think I'm going to have to trust it more. It's worth mentioning that I'm actually on a marathon training program. I suspect it would have been even tougher on me if I had chosen the shorter program.

[Gabby08 Half Marathon]

I’m currently training for my first HM and I’m using the approach recommended by ju-ju- along with some fairly mediocre attempts at strength training on my rest days. I’m up to 11.5 miles so far. It’s slow-going and not pretty but I’m getting there! On the advice of a friend who works as a running coach, I’ve also started to ease off a bit on one week in four too. I’ve only done this twice but both times I’ve come back stronger the following week.

Happy running and good luck!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Gabby08]

Great, thanks. No pressure, I've got time, the idea is to get there at some stage. I agree, if you don't ease off your tendons will rebel