Can I get back to HM in four months?

[Joster]

Hi all, been absent for a while. Combination of moving house/crazy summer/illness/stress/and a whole manner of other hurdles means I haven't run in over 3 months.

I missed the Cambridge Half as a result, but have pre registered for 6th March 2022. Four months today!

I went for a gentle run today - figured repeating a few of the C25K runs was as good a place to start as any, so over the next week or two I am confident I should get back to 5k without too much difficulty, albeit quite slowly!

Is it at all realistic to think that if I get back to regular running I can achieve HM again in 4 months' time? I realise I need a plan and I need to stick with it,

(FWIW I'm 52, now slightly overweight through not running (boo hoo) and have only run HM once before, but have done quite a few 10k's)

Thank you for reading!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Yes absolutely! Most HM plans seem to be 12 weeks so you’ve got plenty of time. I have a HM a week after yours and intend to start a training plan at Christmas (not ideal timing but there you go 🙄) so if you keep to steady running between now and then you’ll be more than good to go!

You’ve also done it before and, even after a break of 3 months, your fitness levels are still fairly good.

Enjoy the return 🙂

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks! Last (and the only time) I trained for a HM I started in earnest early December 2019 for a March run, but in early December I was really comfortable at 10k and ready to push on. I cut it fine though, the last couple of weeks before my event were marred by illness (early COVID possibly) and I only just made it over the line!! Knowing I've done it before helps for sure, and also, this morning I surprised myself that I could reasonably comfortably do half hour of Walk/Run/Walk, the majority being run/shuffle....

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

Sounds as if you’re on your way!

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Once you're doing 5km happily again, getting to a HM is definitely possible in four months.

Each doubling takes about two months.

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

I am keen to get back to 5k fairly quickly, mind over matter, if I can do that, I'm a quarter of the way there.... Thanks for your reply.

[Runnf]

Brighton Half Marathon's training plan starts this week, & that takes place the week before yours, so it sounds doable to me! Good luck.

brightonhalfmarathon.com/pr...

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Runnf]

Thanks!!

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

I've just had a proper look at this plan - I absolutely love it. Simple and clear to understand! So many of these plans have so many permutations and alternatives, that I can't decide what's best for me and walk away. This one looks just like what I want - "Do this on this day" end of! 👍👍👍

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Another vote of confidence in you Joster - you can definitely be ready by March! Good luck with the training.👍🙂

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you, loving these positive messages!

[Joster Half Marathon]

It's going well!! I ran 8 miles today, bang on target with my Nike Run Plan, 8 weeks to go. Also doing Dry January, so the two are marrying up quite nicely.....