Half Marathon - Training Schedule

[Shannon84]

I'm so sorry if someone else has posted something about this and I just over looked it. I am planning on doing the wine and dine half this year and this will be my first half ever. I was wondering if anyone has a training program for pretty much beginners for running a half marathon. Thanks :goodvibes

[jmasgat]

For my first half, I used the Hal Higdon--the Novice plan. Peaks at 10 mile LR (typical)And I only ran 3 days/week.

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Maura

[johde]

I used John Binghams book Marathoning for Mortals for my training plan. It also peaks a 10 mile LR and only 3 days a week of running. It is similar to Hal Higdon's except it is a 14 week schedule that starts out with long runs of 2,3 and 4 the first three weeks instead of 4,4, and 4. It also has a 2 week taper after the 10mile LR of 8 miles and 5 miles. I tried to do the 8 mile at close to race pace instead of as a long slow run. Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Marathoning-Mortals-John-Bingham/dp/1579547826/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273771166&sr=8-2) has a good price right now on used copies of the book.

[Shannon84]

Thanks for the help :goodvibes I will check these plans out and I am going to really start training asap thanks ;) Also any advice that you find helpful about running would be much appreciated, the longest race I have completed is a 10k

[jmasgat]

Build slowly, cross train, don't sweat the occasional bad run, and try not to "look ahead"--just take each training run one at a time.

This I learned from experience---and truth be told, I could show you 100 posts of panic! But things worked out, and if you just take it one step at a time, you'll do great.

Maura

[swim-mom]

I used the plan found at www.marathonrookie.com and did great at my first half (the princess).

I was 7 months post op from cervical spine surgery, and I cant tell you how cross training will help you. I could not do any, due to my neck surgery - BUT I did have to walk 10 minutes because my upper body struggled a bit. So Please listen to what everyone says and do what works.

Just remember this is your race, it is NOT a race against other people.

I did my first half in 2:46 and guess what I did it and my medal means the same as the person who crossed the finish line first!!

You can do it!