Active Community : All Content - Half-Marathon Training

Running with a bad back

guest — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:43:17 GMT

I have a problem...I really love to run but have a couple of back issues and I can only one long run (maybe two if one is a short run) per week plus some cross training (spin and elliptical). I've been successful with 5ks and a little longer distances but really want to do a half marathon this November. Any ideas of a training program that will get me ready for this?

Half Marathon Report: Half Marathons 2000 Total Mark in 2012

guest — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:04:55 GMT

Half Marathons Reach a Milestone and Surpass the 2000 Total Mark in 2012

The year 2012 has been a year of tremendous growth for half marathons and marks a new milestone of surpassing over 2000 half marathons across the United States. Half Marathons are being formed as fast as we can add them to online Half Marathon race calendar directories. Halfmarathonsearch.com analyzed, searched, and compared the top half marathon calendar listings across the United States and came to a total of 2005 half marathons for all US States totaled, reported on August 26, 2012. California half marathons lead the way with the top number of half marathons, surpassing the 250 mark this year and new half marathons being added almost weekly, with Florida following as second with a total of 105 half marathons reached in 2012. Not too far behind Florida follows Utah, Texas, and the state of Washington for most half marathons in the United States. Both Florida and Texas hit their 100 half marathon milestone this year in 2012.

The rate of half marathon additions does not seem to be slowing as we approach this last quarter of 2012, predicting half marathon totals to likely grow to between 2300 to 2500 by the end of 2013. Half Marathon running clubs, Half Marathon Trail Running events, and half marathon training organizations have also seen growth in 2012.

Furthermore, the half marathon 13.1 mile distance event is a nice event to travel on the weekends to. Runners can typically experience a quick recovery after finishing a half marathon, one may not encounter when participating in a full marathon, presenting the half marathon experience to be very enjoyable running distance event for runners.

training for half marathon - progress

guest — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 17:06:22 GMT

HI ALL! I've been running for a year now and I am currently training for my 2nd half marathon. My first half marathon I did intervals of run/walking and was just happy to have finished it. This time I'm running the whole thing and really want to finish in 2:30. I'm not far off from getting there, but I feel like I'm hitting a wall. After this week I will be entering the taper down weeks before my race Nov 11th. Currently since logging longer miles, I feel as though my time just keeps getting slower. I am by no means a fast runner. On average I run around 11-11:30mins per mile on longer runs say over 4-5miles and on shorter runs I can actually get my pace into the 10 mins per mile. Last week I ran 10 miles in 1:57:23.7 and felt pretty good throughout that run. Yesterday, I ran 11 miles in 2:15:00.8 and felt aweful throughout the run almost as though I wouldn't make it, WHY? Feeling discouraged and not sure if its normal for time to decrease the longer miles you log during training or if I'm doing something wrong. I have a feeling I'm not eating properly and therefore not getting enough fuel for good performance. Any tips advice motivation? needing encouragement!

midrun fuel for training

guest — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:45:33 GMT

Looking for nontraditional fuel options midrun during "long" mileage days besides sports drinks and gels. I tend to get an upset stomach easily, so I have just been doing sips of gatorage after the first hour of running, but anyone have some favorites or ideas for fueling during long runs?

Eating right while training?

guest — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 17:42:47 GMT

Hi,

I am training for my first half in February and I am having a hard time with eating properly to train at my best ability. I am not trying to lose weight during this, but I also do not want to gain weight either.

I usually eat around 1400 calories and run 2-3 times a week... Now I am running 3 times week with one long run, and possibly a day or 2 weight training or doing other cardio. On days that I run I do eat extra calories, but I am not sure how much more I should be eating to keep my energy up especially for long runs. Is it ok to eat a lower amount on days that I do not run, or should I be eating a more consistent amount each day of the week?

Can anyone send some advice or even a sample training diet? It would be greatly appreciated!

My 1st half marathon is in Oct and....

guest — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:55:27 GMT

I injured my knee about 2 weeks ago. I saw an orthopedist a few days ago who took xrays and confirmed no damage, just wear and tear on my 39-year old body. I was given a brand new knee brace and went for a 3 mile run/walk yesterday. My knee had a sharp pain the entire time. I had gotten up to 10 mile and now I can barely run 1. Help! Any suggestions as to how I can get back on track???

newbie to half marathon

guest — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:09:38 GMT

Hey everyone! I am a newbie runner. I'm about 8 months in and have logged about 500 miles. I have taken on the challenge of half marathon in April of next year. I've got about 8 months to train and will be using HH's novice 1, novice 2, and intermediate plans to get there.

Any advice would be appreciated!!!

Thanks!

Ahead of Schedule... What should I do??

guest — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:16:10 GMT

I suppose this is a good problem to have, but I'm ahead of schedule for my 1/2 marathon training. I've kinda combined 2 different beginnger schedules from the internet that I've been following. I have 4 weeks left on my schedule, but 7 weeks until my race. I just ran a 10K this past weekend in 54:25. My goal is to run the 1/2 in 2 hours. What should I do with my extra weeks to get me to my goal? Should I just max out at 10 miles like my schedule suggests or should I run farther on my long runs? Should I add in speedwork? If so, what type of speedwork? Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Help with adding distance without injury

guest — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:58:25 GMT

Hi!

Being a casual jogger for at least 30 years, a year and half ago, I ran my first half under 2. Since than have run a few others 1:46 and 1:44, with only 3 days a week of running, one tempo, one speed and one long run. The training plans I tried to follow always were interrupted with some sort of injury unrelated to running- (bike crash, flu, etc.) . The last half I did a month ago, I was not prepared for, even though I ran a good time, I could barely walk afterwards, shin splints, and extremely stiff sore muscles for a week after. I thought I could do another half about 10 weeks away. I jumped into a few tempo runs, and on 2 different occassions attempted to run 10 miles for the long runs, which I thought would be easy at this point. Instead I have another shin splint on the other leg and all sorts of pains after mile 8!

I was wanting to increase my time and run this next half at 1:43. What training plan would work for me? I do a spin class 2 x a week and some yoga. I was wanting a training plan without back to back days running, which I feel is just too hard on my 47 yr old body. However, my husband thinks maybe not enough days running is the reason going past 8 miles is killing me. How do you increase past 8 without hurting yourself in 10 weeks?

Running Speed/Tempo: how do I train to run at a certain speed?

guest — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:14:57 GMT

how do I train to run at a certain speed? (for eg. running a 10K or a 1/2 at ~6mph).

I am comfortable running 6mph currently. I have been using the RunKeeper app which shows me my run summary (at every mile and at the end of the run)

But are there are any tools to help run at a certain speed without having to check the speed and correct oneself regularly.

to make it more second nature after sometime so that i dont have to rely on the learning aid like music.

For instance, music - bpms can be used for setting the pace to workout @ the gym.

Thanks!