Hi All -
I know there have been previous threads written on this, but there are 1000's responses as they are quite old so want to start a new one...
So I've only gone and done it...yup signed up for my first half marathon - eeek and OH SH*T!
I started running 4 months ago on the back on my boyfriend being a keen runner. I had base fitness as i walk my dogs 5-6 miles a day without fail, and i've done quite well - I've run 3 x 10km races (PB is 48.46 mins) and 2 x 8.26 races, (PB is 1.06mins) so actually I'm not bad at the running malarky!!
BUT..8.5 miles is my furthest run to date, and that was by accident (god dam you half Kilomathon for cocking up your distances on race day!), so how do i get to the Half Mara distance? I have signed up to do one in March so i have 5 months to get my distance up.
Is it just a case of training and slowly increase my runs during the week (i run 3 times a week varying from 5 miles to 8 mile runs). I also do Boot Camp once a week to x-train.
Anyone else in the same situation please join in - a little support network would be ideal!
Comments
Gemma, you've got a good base with those PB's, for me I just built it up gradually, adding a mile to the long run once a week.
You've got 20 weeks to get ready for this so plenty of time. Take a look at the schedules on this site and stretch them out so take the first week and repeat a couple of time, before moving to week 2 and so on?
Good luck, what race you doing?
You have a base so just look up the training plans. Find one that suits and stick to it. Simple !
Loads of time, don't dread it, you will adore it and be so well prepared when race day comes.
If you want structure- I used Hal Higdon training progs. U can google n find free online and then pick which one suits your level best (I was novice ) u could pick one and make it stretch out longer than the 12 weeks he prescribes.
Enjoy
Hi Gemma,
I too have signed up for my first HM, its Brighton in Feb. By the sounds of it (by your pb's) you are quite a natural runner, and you won't have any difficulties in upping your mileage.
As others have suggested find a plan, trust it and stick to it. This is exactly what I have done. I have progressed from C25K, to a beginners 10k, and then an intermediate 10k (focusing on reducing my times). I have a 10k in a couple of weeks then after that I will start another plan for my half (bit of a theme going on here ).
At the moment my Sunday long run is about 10 miles, I have no doubt I can run a HM distance wise, I just want to run it sub 2 hours hence following a plan.
Good luck!