Training for Half Marathons

C

cheekygit

0
Hi,

Ive running pretty regulary for about 12 months (3times a week) and decided I needed a challenge so I have entered myself into a couple of half marathons. First one is Sept 6th then one in Oct.

Im just wondering, in the few weeks leading upto the first race, is there something extra I should be doing with training / diet etc?

At present Im running Tues and Thurs with a running club high intensity track work approx 6-8miles. Sunday out for "the long one" approx 8-14miles.

I also train in the gym 3 nights a week and usually run approx 2 miles as part of the routine.

I know my diet isnt fantastic but I try to eat as much fresh meat, salad pastas as possible.

Cheers
 
male or female?

paces you run?

do you have a goal time?

OH- and there is a huge difference between 8 and 14 miles (at least 40 minutes) on your long runs. Be more accurate?

If you go to the run section there are many threads.

Sweat Daily
FF
 
As FF said, time will be your only goal; you will have no problem completing a half marathon with the distances you have done.

You do need to read up on tapering before an event and follow it. I don't have a taper plan for a half marathon handy (I only do half marathons as part of a half ironman), but freebies are out there online.
 
Im male, 28 and weight 80kg.
My goal is to run sub 2 hours for the half marathon. I know thats not brilliant but I thought it would be a great starting point for me and it also gives me something to beat!

With the long runs they are usally 10-11 miles, but can depend on how much time I have to spare. I run with a GPS Garmin Forerunner 205 so im running approx 9min miles average without breaking too much of a sweat.

Thanks for the tips its much appreciated........Im gonna go and check out what tappering is......as thats a new one on me!

Random question though, for all runners out there.....I get really bad joggers nipple on long runs, at the moment im just taping mine up before I head out, does anyone out there have any better ideas?
Cheers
Andy
 
You should be easily able to break 2 hours on a half marathon with your training regime. As for the nipple issue, I don't have that, but some men put band-aids on theirs.
 
i disagree with G8r on this one.

how many events have you done?

here will be the key undermining elements- race anxiety, and failure to follow a race plan...
an average runner such as yourself. and let me pad this with most people cant run 10 miles, so even being called a "runner" is a compliment, and you are.

BUT-- your first half will typically go like this.

a 9 min mile runner will run mile one sub 8 (*crowd depending) then run a series of low 8 min miles, not drink, then pace will drop of and they will not even realize it, and then hit a pre-mature wall, due to running faster than their V02 can handle, then they walk miles 11 12, and maybe run accross the finish line.

you pace is barely a 2 hour 13.1. And to drop 30 seconds on your pace is a huge jump in performance. AND even if you can do that, you will still only buy yourself 6 minutes. AND if you walk at all, you will eat up those 6 minutes within a 1/2 mile.

With your running pace, you will need to have a nice "taper" follow it, and then have a race plan, and follow it.

Most important will be to run "your own" race.

My best 1/2 marathon time is 1:39, 7:33 mm

We can do this! when is your event?

p.s. for your nipples, take care of them when trraining, then you can sacrifice them on race day. no biggie. bandaides whern you train, as G8r said, and then on race day, vaseline, and go for it.
 
Last edited:
thanks for that flyinfree,

Ive only done two "races" previously a 5 mile race very early into my training which I ran in 41.41 and then ran a 10 mile race last month 85.32 although I was absolutely shattered after it.

My race is Sept 6th and I have looked at a tapering programe for this. But disaster has struck, I was out running with my club, only 9 miles and I developed a pain just outside and below my right knee cap. So today I can hardly walk. Ive booked in to go and see a physio tomorrow.

This is a nightmare for me as knowing I cant go out and run is killing me and its only day 1!

So depending on what the verdict is tomorrow, and how much time I will need for recovery and re-training I may have to postpone my half marathon debut till the following month or so.

But looking on the bright side if I need to postpone, I would rather run a good half marathon in a decent time then run one too early and seriously injur myself. Have you had an injury like this? If so how long were you out for and did you notice a reduction in fitness level? how long did it take you to get back to where u were pre injury?

Sorry for all the questions.........look forward to hearing from you.
 
I recovered from a serious skydiving accident, impacted discs, sciatic nerve damage, severe shin splins, and then I found this site while I was laid up.
I did an Ironman 140.6 within 3 years.

I was hurt way worse, and did a much parger event. Do not lose heart.
 
Fair plays to you man! Coming back from that and completeing the iron man in that time. Thats dedication and a half that is!

Im in a much better mood today, not so doom and gloom, Im just gonna crack on with things when I can, take it steady and when Im ready, Im gonna run a dam good half marathon........then keep up the training and set my sights on a new goal, marathon in 12 months, would love to run the NY marathon. Kills two birds with one stone as ive always wanted to go to the US so perfect opportunity! pleasure and pain!
 
Not sure about training for the half marathon, I want to do one myself shortly.

As for the nips, I use compression shirts so there is no running. You don't have to go out and buy the most expensive Under Armour ones, jsut something that fits you tight so there is no rubbing. If I run anything over 5 miles, I make sure I have one on, or if it really humid outside.

Good luck with the half!
 
Thanks for that O3gt, I have picked one up, only cost me £10 in a sale. Will definately be trying it out when I can hit the road again next week. Until then im stuck in the swimming pool to keep up fitness......no sore nipples in there lol!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top