Just signed up to a half marathon! Help! - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support

2,588 members7,696 posts

Just signed up to a half marathon! Help!

GTypeR profile image
27 Replies

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.

Written by
GTypeR profile image
GTypeR
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
27 Replies
Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Marathon

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 👌🏽

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Tasha99

Thanks

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

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.

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks. Good luck in the HM! Thanks for the help too during C25K.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon in reply to Oldfloss

I wish you good luck and all the very best Floss on running your HM this weekend, what can I say but take the run "slow and steady".

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

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!

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to linda9389

Thank you, this forum is great. Really helped me through C25K and B210.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

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

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to roseabi

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!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to GTypeR

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 😊

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to roseabi

I do the Haywards Heath park run so only down the road. Would like to try one of the Brighton ones. 👍

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to GTypeR

Quite hilly isn't it, Haywards Heath parkrun? You should deffo come to Hove Prom 😄

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to roseabi

It’s horrible. “The Travelator” is no joke... I much prefer my regular 5KMs around the serpentine at Hyde Park near my work

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Marathon

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

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Madge50

Thanks! I’m starting to realise that. I guess I’m going to have to force myself to do the HIIT sessions at work.... 😬

Pete1w profile image
Pete1w

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

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Pete1w

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.

Pete1w profile image
Pete1w in reply to GTypeR

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

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Pete1w

Thanks Pete and best of luck with your HM. Will be on the look out to see how you get on.

Pete1w profile image
Pete1w in reply to GTypeR

Crossing the finish line upright on 2 feet with a smile on my face will do..😉😉

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon

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.

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Whatsapp

Thanks, luckily not very hilly. I really needed to book it in, as I started finding myself regularly dropping 3 runs down to 2.

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Metric Marathon

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

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Deals1

Thanks Deals. Well I say at work, but I mean just a group of people at work that go to the local park at lunchtime. Good luck with your running too and if you decide to go for a HM.

Lysia profile image
LysiaHalf Marathon

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.

GTypeR profile image
GTypeR in reply to Lysia

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.

Lysia profile image
LysiaHalf Marathon in reply to GTypeR

Not that I actually do them, but the plank is your best friend for core strengthening. Any variation, but make sure you're doing them properly to get the benefit 👍🏽

You may also like...

Signed up for first half marathon!!!

encouragement of my fab running club. I’m currently running 3 times a week one fast 5k one...

Boston (Lincs) Half Marathon- no going back now,I've signed up!!😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Going to download the NRC training plan and a friend who is doing a HM a few weeks earlier is...

Well I've only gone and signed up for a Half Marathon!

reading the many posts of \\"My running cohort\\" . ie those who started C25K around the same time....

Just signed up for my first marathon attempt -- age 72.

sail for this about 20 weeks ago - have done a 10K \\"race\\" as part of the training and will do a...

I've never run more than 10k and I just signed up for a half marathon 3 months from now

don't have time to run more than 3x a week. I was thinking about running 5-7k 2x a week, mostly...