Training for half marathon question

[mommyintn]

How long for a non-runner to train for a 1/2 marathon? I just got on the treadmill today for 2 miles after not exercising for awhile. I did walk/run and felt pretty good while "jogging" for the 3-4 minutes at a time, which is big for me since I'm not a runner. I want to have some kind of goal to keep me motivated and thought this would be good, I'm also keeping my eyes out for a 5k event because running 3 miles without stopping would be a miracle to me.

So again my question is what's a realistic timetable for running a 1/2 marathon? Six months? More or less? There is one in my area right before Thanksgiving is that pushing it? Thanks!

 

[FireDancer]

In January of 2005 I ran more then a mile for the first time in my life. I did my first half marathon exactly a year later in January 2006. I probably could have moved in up a few months had the timing been better or I didn't care as much about doing it at a decent pace.

I think if you train consistently and are realistic about the speed at which you can finish you can be ready for one in 6 months.

 

[mommyintn]

In January of 2005 I ran more then a mile for the first time in my life. I did my first half marathon exactly a year later in January 2006. I probably could have moved in up a few months had the timing been better or I didn't care as much about doing it at a decent pace.

I think if you train consistently and are realistic about the speed at which you can finish you can be ready for one in 6 months.

I think I like the year time table better!! My husband and I really want to be ready to do the 1/2 at Disney in 2012 and maybe done one before that. I just have no clue and I don't want to be stressed about being ready for one super quick. I guess I'll just take it as it comes and will for sure sign up for the 5k jingle bell run they have here in December. Thanks!

 

[where's_my_prince]

i started training for the half marathon about a month ago, and right now im up to a non walking 4 miles, i'm going to following this training program for half marathon rookies (but im a bit ahead )


just remember to give yourself plenty of rest, i got burnt out, but after a week of no running and resting , i decided to run a mile, and then decided to keep going til i ran four miles, which i have never done in my life!

 

[swim-mom]

Ive never been a runner, I hate to sweat

I did do a couple of 5Ks, but that felt like a slow death to me about 4 years ago. that is the extent of my running.

However afters of neck pain, I decided to sign up for the Princess half last June - knowing I was having cervial spine surgery for my neck in July. I knew I needed a goal to recover which is why I picked the half --- first you have to be crazy to sign up and want to do it, but to actually do it was another story.

I started back with the www.c25K.com program and then moved to www.marathonrookie.com in December and ran my first half 7 months post op in 2:45........I swore that I was done and what was I thinking after I did it.

BUT I am looking forward to getting back on track as I just signed up for another half and will be doing the princess again in 2011.

Feel free to PM me, it would be great to help you along on your journey --- I am no runner but a mom, wife who has found things out the hard way

Bottom line anything is possible, including a half or full marathon in less than a year

 

[crewmatt]

Hey I took up running my senior year of highschool. I had been on track and field as a thrower prior to that so I was able to run a mile. I started training for cross country in May, ran my first 5K that July (or maybe last weekend in June). I ran my first half marathon last weekend in September. Most Half Marathon plans have you training for a few months to be able to complete it. I think if you're into it and don't get injured you could do the one around Thanksgiving.

 

[evhorizon]

How long for a non-runner to train for a 1/2 marathon? I just got on the treadmill today for 2 miles after not exercising for awhile. I did walk/run and felt pretty good while "jogging" for the 3-4 minutes at a time, which is big for me since I'm not a runner. I want to have some kind of goal to keep me motivated and thought this would be good, I'm also keeping my eyes out for a 5k event because running 3 miles without stopping would be a miracle to me.

So again my question is what's a realistic timetable for running a 1/2 marathon? Six months? More or less? There is one in my area right before Thanksgiving is that pushing it? Thanks!

There are various training programs out there for the 1/2M distance, but the general idea is not increase your mileage too fast to avoid injury. So you're up to 2 miles. How many times a week?

To be reasonably in shape for a 1/2M, you'll need to build up your mileage to about 20-25 miles/week for your peak week about 2-3 weeks before you race.

If you're running/walking 6 miles/week now (2 miles x 3 times a week), you'll need to build up an additional 16 miles or so a week before Thanksgiving. That's about 5 months (before a taper) or 3.2 miles a month to add to your weekly mileage. IMO, that is probably at the upper bound of "reasonable" to ramp up. Only you know your body and how it would respond to that level of demand.

You can always get by with less training mileage for a race distance, but you trade that for more suffering during the race. All of the training guidelines are general, so you'll need to discover whether it's right for you or whether you can ramp up faster (or need to go slower).

 

[johde]

The biggest thing in deciding when you want to complete for first half marathon is deciding how you want to complete your first half marathon. If you are willing to walk or mostly walk, Thanksgiving should be plenty of time. Several of us have used John Bingham's "Marathoning for Mortals" book to train. His plans start out with 30 min of training 2 days a week and a 2 mile long run. Then progress over the next 14 weeks to a long run of 10 miles 2 weeks prior to the 1/2 marathon.

If your goal is to run the entire distance, I would wait until you can comfortably run 3 miles at least 3 days a week and have done that for a while. Then look out 4 to six months ahead and find a 1/2 marathon you want to do. One of the biggest risks in beginning running is trying to do too much too soon.

 

[mommyintn]

If your goal is to run the entire distance, I would wait until you can comfortably run 3 miles at least 3 days a week and have done that for a while. Then look out 4 to six months ahead and find a 1/2 marathon you want to do. One of the biggest risks in beginning running is trying to do too much too soon.

Thanks so much for this!! This is exactly what I want, I want to be able to do it and do it well while running. For me at this point running 3 miles would be reason to celebrate come to think of it 1 mile would also. I was on the treadmill again this morning even though I was tired. Hoping to stay consistent. I'm going to half to check that book out!

 

[mommyintn]

just remember to give yourself plenty of rest, i got burnt out, but after a week of no running and resting , i decided to run a mile, and then decided to keep going til i ran four miles, which i have never done in my life!

How much rest do you think is reasonable, right now I want to do 5 days a week at least 2 miles a day to get comfortable with it and increase my running within those 2 miles. So more running (jogging) than walking.

Ive never been a runner, I hate to sweat

This is so me!! I never got the whole love of sweating, ugh but I'm dealing with it and boy am I sweating!!

BUT I am looking forward to getting back on track as I just signed up for another half and will be doing the princess again in 2011.

Feel free to PM me, it would be great to help you along on your journey --- I am no runner but a mom, wife who has found things out the hard way

Bottom line anything is possible, including a half or full marathon in less than a year

Wow you are the bomb for being a non runner!! I would love to do the princess one day looks like so much fun! I will PM you with questions thanks so much!!

I think if you're into it and don't get injured you could do the one around Thanksgiving.

I'm going to back off the plan for Thanksgiving and just focus on the 5k around Christmas. Thanks!

There are various training programs out there for the 1/2M distance, but the general idea is not increase your mileage too fast to avoid injury. So you're up to 2 miles. How many times a week?

To be reasonably in shape for a 1/2M, you'll need to build up your mileage to about 20-25 miles/week for your peak week about 2-3 weeks before you race.

If you're running/walking 6 miles/week now (2 miles x 3 times a week), you'll need to build up an additional 16 miles or so a week before Thanksgiving. That's about 5 months (before a taper) or 3.2 miles a month to add to your weekly mileage. IMO, that is probably at the upper bound of "reasonable" to ramp up. Only you know your body and how it would respond to that level of demand.

You can always get by with less training mileage for a race distance, but you trade that for more suffering during the race. All of the training guidelines are general, so you'll need to discover whether it's right for you or whether you can ramp up faster (or need to go slower).

I'm planning right now to start with 10 miles a week so 2 miles/5 days a week and when I'm doing more running than walking and feeling good I'll up the mileage. I don't want to be miserable running anything I still have that memory running for the Presidential Physical Fitness test in 5th grade. I thought I was going to die!! I'd like to feel good while I'm doing a race so for me I guess I should take it a little at a time until it feels right. Thanks!

 

[evhorizon]

I'm planning right now to start with 10 miles a week so 2 miles/5 days a week and when I'm doing more running than walking and feeling good I'll up the mileage. I don't want to be miserable running anything I still have that memory running for the Presidential Physical Fitness test in 5th grade. I thought I was going to die!! I'd like to feel good while I'm doing a race so for me I guess I should take it a little at a time until it feels right. Thanks!

I suggest running every other day to start off, so 3-4 days week. If you want to workout 5-6 days a week, then cross-train the other days -- biking, swimming, etc. As you build a fitness base, you can add more running workouts a week. Unless you run a "hard run", your body should fully recover within 48 hours (hence the every other day suggestion).

 

[where's_my_prince]

marathonrookie.com they said dont run for more than two days in a row so that what i'm following now, cuz i use to just run everyday

so now monday ill run 3 miles
tuesday: rest/ walking a few miles
wednesday 3 miles
thursday 3 miles
friday rest/ walking
saturday run 4 miles
sunday rest


the resting day really allow you to rebuild your energy

 

[airman]

I was never a runner either. I started a training schedule in January to work my way up to the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in October. Here is a link to the training schedule that I use, it has been very helpful.
http://www.chtrust.org/Nationalruns...09/2009DisneyHalfMarathonTrainingSchedule.pdf

 

[Disfan11]

I've been using the Hal Higdon's 1/2 marathon training schedule for novice (he has other levels too).
I'm running the Seattle Rock & Roll 1/2 marathon tomorrow and I feel fit and ready.
Just use this and go backwards from your run date.
Don't worry that you do everything in the exact order. You can adjust as needed!
Good luck to you!

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

Disfan11

 

[wvjules]

I was never a runner either. I started a training schedule in January to work my way up to the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in October. Here is a link to the training schedule that I use, it has been very helpful.
http://www.chtrust.org/Nationalruns...09/2009DisneyHalfMarathonTrainingSchedule.pdf

That training schedule is awesome!

Now can someone tell me how I can edit it? I want to add the dats and correct the year.

 

[Trudes]

Ive never been a runner, I hate to sweat

I did do a couple of 5Ks, but that felt like a slow death to me about 4 years ago. that is the extent of my running.

However afters of neck pain, I decided to sign up for the Princess half last June - knowing I was having cervial spine surgery for my neck in July. I knew I needed a goal to recover which is why I picked the half --- first you have to be crazy to sign up and want to do it, but to actually do it was another story.

in December and ran my first half 7 months post op in 2:45........I swore that I was done and what was I thinking after I did it.

BUT I am looking forward to getting back on track as I just signed up for another half and will be doing the princess again in 2011.

Feel free to PM me, it would be great to help you along on your journey --- I am no runner but a mom, wife who has found things out the hard way

Bottom line anything is possible, including a half or full marathon in less than a year

Swim-mom~Your post is inspiring.