Half Marathon Training Programs

[bgenew1]

Considering the Wine & Dine Half this year. I was not as prepared as I should have been for my first half back in Nov 2010 and finished in 3:40. I do some running but due to exercise asthma need the walk breaks.

Swore i would never do another but . . . . . .

So, I would like to know if anyone has used the Hal Higdon or Jeff Galloway programs to complete a half marathon. Pros, Cons, etc. Thanks!

 

[diznmom]

I used Hal Higdon's program to train for the Princess last month. I found it very doable and felt prepared. I woke up every day and said to myself, "What does Hal want me to do today?" I wouldn't didn't allow myself alot of wiggle room. You have a lot of time before the wine and dine...You can do it!

 

[johde]

I don't know too much about using those plan although I do have Jeff Galloway's book. For my first 2 half marathons I used John Bingham/Jenny Hadfield's book "Marathoning for Mortals". For my third half, I'm between 2 of their plans so I struck out on my own combining their mile progression with Jeff Galloway's speed work. I looked at Hal Higdon's plans but decided on Bingham/Hadfield because of the more frequent cut back weeks. In the walk/run plans you would go a couple of weeks then do fewer miles a week be with more running (or less walking) in each interval. Although I needed to change things up at the end from what was recommended.(I had trouble jumping from 1 minute running to 2 minutes running, but could drop my walking instead).

Another thing I did the coushion my plans a couple of weeks. I started the 14 week plan 17 weeks before the race. That allowed me to miss a week because of weather, sickness, extra cutback week etc. and not get off track. For my October half I was able to get 2 10 mile runs in instead of just 1.

Good luck. You'll do great.

 

[verticalchaos]

A second vote for MFM!! I love John and Jenny's plan and having met them, both of them as people. Jenny in particular has been great about answering questions via email and on her FB page. She even helped me figure out how to work 9 weeks between half marathons, and I'm feeling good and ready to run my second on Sunday!

 

[cewait]

The three mentioned plans are the go to plans for newer half and full marathoners. You cannot go wrong with any of the three. For the half one could also create a relatively simple plan... but it is better to follow one of these plans.

Given your issues last year, I would highly suggest reading Galloway's book and considering his plan. He has lots of great info on run/walking and the reasons to follow that method of racing. If you do not think he follows that plan, I can testify to Jeff's running and walking on very short intervals... in the neighborhood of minute and minute in January and 30 second each run and walk last October when he was dealing with an issue.

Again, again of the three will get you to the line and finished.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

I started last Feb. with C25K and then in August I moved into what I thought was a conservative 21 week HM plan. After a few weeks in, I was disappointed that my times were still slow. My running buddy had begun to add intervals of walking and her times were getting faster. I was intrigued and decided to add them as well. Sure enough I was getting faster. Then came Thanksgiving. I stressed out my body after a week of too many longer runs in one week. After that I could barely get out 2 miles. Took a month off and things were still terrible. Thankfully my massage therapist was able to work out the kinks and I was back to training in January and the Princess was my first HM.

Now I'm wondering how to train for the next HM in Savannah on 11/5. That's a long way away, but what should I be doing now? I've thought about just running 3.1 three times a week and a longer run on the weekends. Getting faster would definitely be nice. Personally, I'd also like to drop the walk breaks, but maybe I shouldn't do that. I can't afford to get hurt. No healthcare insurance makes injuries difficult to get over. So maybe run/walking is just smarter for me. But I still feel like I'm cheating.

Because I live in Florida, I don't plan on doing too many races during the summer. It seems like the local races really taper off after April. If I take the summer off, then I'll be back to square one for November. Any advice for a not-so-new runner?

 

[Minnie Lor]

I started last Feb. with C25K and then in August I moved into what I thought was a conservative 21 week HM plan. After a few weeks in, I was disappointed that my times were still slow. My running buddy had begun to add intervals of walking and her times were getting faster. I was intrigued and decided to add them as well. Sure enough I was getting faster. Then came Thanksgiving. I stressed out my body after a week of too many longer runs in one week. After that I could barely get out 2 miles. Took a month off and things were still terrible. Thankfully my massage therapist was able to work out the kinks and I was back to training in January and the Princess was my first HM.

Now I'm wondering how to train for the next HM in Savannah on 11/5. That's a long way away, but what should I be doing now? I've thought about just running 3.1 three times a week and a longer run on the weekends. Getting faster would definitely be nice. Personally, I'd also like to drop the walk breaks, but maybe I shouldn't do that. I can't afford to get hurt. No healthcare insurance makes injuries difficult to get over. So maybe run/walking is just smarter for me. But I still feel like I'm cheating.

Because I live in Florida, I don't plan on doing too many races during the summer. It seems like the local races really taper off after April. If I take the summer off, then I'll be back to square one for November. Any advice for a not-so-new runner?

You could do what may of us have had to do dealing with a snowy winter. Go to the treadmill. If you don't own one (I don't) and you don't want a Y membership (I don't), you can do a pay per day. I did cross-training at home 4 or more days a week (3-4 miles of a walking, etc. DVD). Then I went once a week to the Y to do my long "run" and I kept it around 6-8 miles plus took advantage of the weight machines. I was able to keep my base mileage at around 6 miles. Then when the weather started cooperating, I started adding mileage each week.

 

[nemmie]

I am going to do this I found online

http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/clubs/triathlon/training/Half_Marathon.htm

The top (beginner) one.

I can run 5 miles without stopping right now and my usual runs are 3 miles so I am going to keep week 1 and 2 at that anyway even if its a little more than called for.

Anyones thoughts on this plan?

 

[cewait]

I am going to do this I found online

http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/clubs/triathlon/training/Half_Marathon.htm

The top (beginner) one.

I can run 5 miles without stopping right now and my usual runs are 3 miles so I am going to keep week 1 and 2 at that anyway even if its a little more than called for.

Anyones thoughts on this plan?

If you are comfortable with the plan then go with it. I would suggest adding a couple things...

Add a week between 4 and 5 and only run 4 miles. Then between plan week 6 and 7 add a week where you only run 6 miles. Finally, add two weeks between plan week 7 and 8. The first of the two weeks should be 10-12 miles. The second week should be 6-9 miles. What I am adding to the plan is a periodization week where you pull back a week after 3-4 weeks of advancing. The working recovery from the shorter run will make you a stronger runner overall.

Feel free to add this, or not. The plan by itself will get you to the strat line in good fashion.

 

[nemmie]

If you are comfortable with the plan then go with it. I would suggest adding a couple things...

Add a week between 4 and 5 and only run 4 miles. Then between plan week 6 and 7 add a week where you only run 6 miles. Finally, add two weeks between plan week 7 and 8. The first of the two weeks should be 10-12 miles. The second week should be 6-9 miles. What I am adding to the plan is a periodization week where you pull back a week after 3-4 weeks of advancing. The working recovery from the shorter run will make you a stronger runner overall.

Feel free to add this, or not. The plan by itself will get you to the strat line in good fashion.

Many thanks! Have added your advice to our plans.

 

[momhmmx2]

I have been using Jeff Galloways plan for training for my first half in May. I'm using an app called Run Keeper. You can also find them online at www.runkeeper.com Within Runkeeper you can sign up for a "fitness class" it costs I think $9.99 for the plan but it has kept me motivated. My class is Jeff's 1/2 Marathon training for beginners. I listen to my music and I hear cues to run now or walk now over it. Works great!

 

[bgenew1]

Thanks for the replies. I may give each a try then decide which one works better for me. Hubby has also said we may do the relay instead so I dont have to worry about finishing on time.

 

[ChloroFiend]

My wife used the Hal Higdon program (the Novice Supreme if I'm remembering right) in training for the 2011 full; she seemed to like it pretty well and it had her in great condition to knock out that race.

I'm leaning towards using one of the RunKeeper FitnessClasses, but probably the Jeff Diebler program. I'm currently using his 5K workout to drop my times and thus far, I'm really liking the format.

 

[saysay]

Considering the Wine & Dine Half this year. I was not as prepared as I should have been for my first half back in Nov 2010 and finished in 3:40. I do some running but due to exercise asthma need the walk breaks.

Swore i would never do another but . . . . . .

So, I would like to know if anyone has used the Hal Higdon or Jeff Galloway programs to complete a half marathon. Pros, Cons, etc. Thanks!

I have never been very athletic and am so grateful to Jeff Galloway's program for helping me complete 3 half marathons. I trained for the first with a group, but the other 2 trained alone following his plan. I love the walk breaks if I find myself going too hard or fast it gives me a moment to focus on my breathing or form. It also can break up the monotony of a long run or a day when its not all going they way you want it to. Jeff's plan is VERY manageable timewise also, especially during the busy week.

Good luck with your training!

 

[Minnie Lor]

I have never been very athletic and am so grateful to Jeff Galloway's program for helping me complete 3 half marathons. I trained for the first with a group, but the other 2 trained alone following his plan. I love the walk breaks if I find myself going too hard or fast it gives me a moment to focus on my breathing or form. It also can break up the monotony of a long run or a day when its not all going they way you want it to. Jeff's plan is VERY manageable timewise also, especially during the busy week.

Good luck with your training!

There's a new podcast: http://gallowayextramile.blogspot.com/ that will be starting up in a week. The first episode just came out today and it's more of an intro. Jeff and Kevin are going to take you step by step thru the galloway method to get you ready for the half or full marathon.

 

[johde]

Thanks for the information Lorie. I've listened to a couple of "the extra mile" podcasts, but didn't know they were teaming up with Jeff Galloway. It should be interesting.