Half marathon training plan for beginners? (Page 2)
-
No new posts
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller | Reply |
|
![]() ![]() |
Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Local running stores or even your health club (Lifetime Fitness has a running group)... |
|
![]() ![]() |
Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Scout7 - 2010-09-24 3:41 PM A) You are not a "lousy runner". There's no such thing. You either run, or you don't. That's it. Why qualify it? B) If you don't enjoy running, why do it? And then, why do a half marathon? Volume right now is NOT the most important thing for you. Consistency is. And to get consistent, you have to learn how to at least tolerate running, and more likely enjoy running. My advice would be to not focus on a race right now. I would also stop worrying about your times. Banish words like "lousy", "slow", "fast" from descriptions of yourself. If you think you are slow, you WILL BE slow. If you think you are lousy, you WILL BE lousy. What I would do is make a commitment to yourself to get out the door at least 3x a week for a run. Doesn't matter if you're gone for 60 minutes or 6 minutes. Just tie 'em up and go. Nice and easy and relaxed. Run around the block for that it matters. No watch, no nothing; just you moving through the world. If you can do that for a month, starting adding runs. Make it 4x a week, then 5x. Just heading out and finding that natural rhythm again. No need for anything fancy. If, after a month, you still dislike running, then I would definitely not consider doing a half marathon. Training for a longer distance requires a level of commitment to training, and that commitment level is hard to maintain over the several weeks most plans cover. And I'll tell ya, no one is going think any less of you for not ever having run a half marathon. Running ain't hard. We make it that way. I think all of this is excellent advice. April 2008 I started running - twice a week. My short run was 1.5 miles and my long run was 3 miles - my weekly average was 4 miles woo hoo! By fall I was adding in another run bringing the average up to 10miles/week. I just focused on feeling strong, getting my breathing under control and while it was a slow process... I was able to build on my distance and have shown small improvements over time. The key though is finding the love in it. For me it was personal time - quiet time and I love being out in nature. Then it was a rush just feeling stronger and able to accomplish more. Good luck with it! |
![]() ![]() |
Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Listen to Scout (as others have said). I also found this blog post helpful http://bigmikega.wordpress.com/running/ . It advocates running 6x per week, 3 short, 2 medium, 1 long run where the short run is 1/3 your long run and the medium run is 2/3 your long run. So if you long run is 3 miles, do one of those, 2 2 milers and 3 1 miler per week. Run them all slow for now. I never get 6 in per week, but have been pretty good about getting 4 or 5 in during my HM training this fall. After several months, I now look forward to most runs and I never thought I would say that. |
![]() ![]() |
Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() You don't need to follow a race plan for a race you don't intend to do. Your goal is to build mileage. You said you could run 3 miles 3 times a week. Let's start there. Here's the plan. Run every other day. All the running should be done at an easy conversational pace. The goal is to build a solid base, speed will come in another phase. Follow the plan and in 6 months you can be a better runner. Have fun! |
![]() ![]() |
Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'd second the runnersworld.com smartcoach suggestion- you put in your current mileage, number of weeks before race, etc. easy to get a schedule and adjust the long runs for your needs. |
|