Hi everyone, I started running last April and could hardly run for a minute. I struggled through the 1st few weeks of C25K but eventually banished the gremlins and got to 30 minutes (4KM) by September.
I then ran a few 5KMs and completed the B210K fairly recently.
The last couple of months I’ve generally done 1x5KM and 1x10KM a week.
Are there any good training plans for HMs that I should look at? The HM is in October and is the Royal Parks HM in London.
I didn’t follow a plan to get to HM, I just went up each week or so. You’ve got ages. Go up 1k a week and every fourth week drop back down 👌🏽
Well done you..take a look at roseabi 's plan...got a whole load of us poised to do our first HMs this weekend...You can follow it..or tweak bits if need be..but it is very structured and with variations too..to suit your running.
I second Abi's plan on here. It's been great. Really flexible, but really easy to follow too. It has encouraged me to include different types of runs and to think about different paces in training, but it has also finally convinced me to include cross training in my routine. On top of that, the support from people in this forum is the icing on the cake. Good luck!
Hello and welcome to the forum!!! I have not run the Royal Parks Half, but I hear it is fabulous.
The latest version of my plan is here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheet...
It is a gentle plan with quite a few options.
We have been experimenting with running a half marathon training plan for the forum, and people have been following a few different versions of mine, or doing more of their own thing 😊 As Floss suggested, we are just about to come to the end, so there will some follow-up posts coming!
My scheme is based upon free plans I have found online, and various ideas I have read about - with a dash of my own experience. Training plans tend to include speed, endurance, and cross training, but for a first time half marathon you can't really go wrong with what Tasha99 suggests - the basis of all beginner plans is to get the kilometres (or miles) under your feet.
Anyway, I must go and dish up the dinner 😊 Hope you find this forum inspiring, and that we will hear much more from you!!! xx
Thanks Roseabi, I’ll take a look. Randomly I think we follow each other on strava for a while. You must have done a park run near me or are from my neck of the woods! Thanks for the inspiration!
Intriguing! I have only done parkruns in Brighton & Hove where I live, but if that doesn't fit we could have just connected through someone from here 😊
I do the Haywards Heath park run so only down the road. Would like to try one of the Brighton ones. 👍
Exciting! I run twice a week, I generally do parkrun (5k) and one long run a week. As others have said gradually increasing the long run slowly, plus I do sometimes do a bit extra after parkrun.....I’d recommend some other strength/low impact work as well, upper body and core strength is equally important as the miles on your legs.
Good luck with it!
Mx
Well done on your journey so far. I signed up for my first HM last year but the race isn't while April. I made the mistake of beginning the training plan straight away, over trained and got injured. I would recommend sticking to your current plan then at 12/16 weeks to the race look at a plan. I generally do 3 runs a week. 1 quick 5K, 1 8K hills and 1 long run. Long run starts at about 10K gradually rising to 15/17 K a couple of weeks before the event. Good luck and enjoy
Thanks Pete. What would you consider a good baseline? If I can very slowly get myself up to 15KM by June, is that a good place to start from? I’m thinking maybe 1x5KM, 1 longer run, but lots of cross training and I really need to diet.
Edit:
Sorry, I see what you mean. Work to 15KM just before the event.
I'm all new to this HM business too!! I printed off the Sheffield HM training plan from the website and tried to stick to it as closely as possible. But dare I say it I got bored with it. I wasn't enjoying my runs as it felt very regimental. The only part of the plan I stick to now are the distances. The Sheffield HM is VERY hilly, I think the first 5/6 miles are all uphill. I do lots of hills in my training and have learned to enjoy it. I'm about 4 weeks away now from my event so I've got 2 long runs left. 15K this week 17K the week after. Take your time, find a plan that suits you and most of all enjoy the challenge. Keep us posted of your progress....Good luck
I would reiterate that having a plan is much better rather than just vaguely upping distance. As you will know from C25k and B210k it is great to see your progress developing and tick of runs. Most plans will be requiring you to run three times a week and will add some variety to your runs also to keep it fresh and work on speed, etc. as well.
Also, look at the HM and see whether it is hilly. If it is make sure you add some hill runs into your plan. If the HM is flat then you don't need to worry -unless you want to of course.
yaaay!
well done you
great goal
I started last April, and keep talking myself out of HM.. But you'll do it! plenty time to get ready and lots of great advice and virtual help here, this forum is fab.
You say you can do HITT at work? sounds good
good luck with it all and keep us posted
Good for you. I started at a similar time to you and have a half in Sept. I have looked at programmes but have already done 10 miles by gradual increases to my long run each week, which puts me near the end of the plans already. 🙂 Th
at may work for you as you have 6 months to prep. Good luck, hope you find a method that works for you.
Hi Lysia, well done and good luck with your HM. You’ll smash it. I guess I’m less worried about increasing the length of my long run which I plan to do, but more the strength and core stuff during the week. I tend to suffer with a bad back after long runs which I’m pretty sure is down to my core strength.
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