Help: Training tips for a half

Hey ladies. I am hoping you guys can help me with starting my half training. I just started running this summer and am addicted now. I ran 3 5k's this summer and just ran an 8k turkey trot which is the longest I've done so far. I am really slow but I would love to pick up my speed and I really want to run a half next year. I need some advice on how I should work myself up to it, TIA

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

Many people download a training Plan- Hal Higdon's is very popular.

I made my own training plan. I increased my mileage each week. I averaged about 25-30 mpw in the end.

Also, include cross training and strength training.

If you want to increase your speed there are a number of ways to do that: hills (runing up and down hills helps to increase speed), increasing your mileage (which increases your endurance), and intervals.

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

For my first half I focused on finishing, not on time. I noticed my speed improved by building my mileage. I didn't focus on speed goals until my second half - I was concerned with finishing strong.

I would look around for different training programs - I created a hybrid of several - personally I didn't like that some programs had their long runs max out at 10 miles. I needed to complete the distance beforehand to feel comfortable, but everyone is different!

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

some plans don't have a specific mileage for a long run - just a time (i.e - 1:45) that might take off a little bit of pressure.


I agree about hills helping speed and making your legs stronger, but you should switch over to a tempo run or a speed workout (for your first HM, I would think tempo would work better, but I enjoy speed/interval workouts)


I think a big help with long distance races is doing fast finish workouts on long runs. Pick up the pace for the last 1/4 of your run. It will help when you feel spent at the end of the race to dig deep and finish.


good luck!

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

Thanks for the tips! This may be a stupid question but do you run the full half without walking at all? I can run 5k nonstop but I am worried about not being able to do it for longer distances.

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

I would think a lot of people take walking breaks when they first start. I would say that I run the whole thing, but I do walk through a few water stops to make sure that I get fluids.

There are some long training runs during the heat when I will walk up a hill while drinking a bit. Even when I ran HS XC, I walked up one killer hill EVERY single race (but I had a really good fast power walk and went almost as fast as the girls who ran). When I got to the top of that hill I had all of my energy back and was able to book it to the finish and pass everyone who were spent from running up the hill. I was All County, so it couldn't have been that bad of a strategy.


increase little by little and your endurance will increase.

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

Re: Help: Training tips for a half

I took fast walk breaks while I drank at the water stops in my last 2 half marathons and ran my fastest times. I find it ensures I drink enough (after several years of running, I still haven't mastered the art of drinking on the run) and gives my legs a quick break and allows me to potentially run faster paces per mile. If you choose to do the breaks, you should do them from the early miles because if you wait until your legs are really tired, they won't benefit you. There is a guy Jeff Galloway who has run a ton of marathons and swares by the walk break approach, and he is a great runner. Good luck, you will do great...just start easy, listen to your body and slowly increase your mileage.

Re: Help: Training tips for a half