Longest run for a half marathon

I have run several halfs but am drawing a blank on what my longest run was? What do you suggest? I think I did 10 for some and then 12 for some. The schedule I have goes to 11.4 and wondering if this is enough. This is my first half post baby and haven't done one in almost 3 years since I gave up running long distances while TTC and having a miscarriage and then didn't run at all while preggers. DD is 1 now and I am running again pretty consistently and up to 6.5 miles.

Also have you ever done a taper or shorter runs in your training to give your body a break. i.e. every 5 weeks in the training you don't do a long run but rather just 4 miles on the weekend. Then go back to long runs the following week and keep adding over the course of 4 weeks and on the 5th week again do 4 miles. This plan has me adding slow and I like it since I had IT band issues the last time I ran a marathon and it stuck with me for a year or more. I just don't like the 4 mile taper 1 month before the race. Guess it isn't so bad and I tapered for full marathons.

Sorry I am all over the place, just thinking out loud!

Re: Longest run for a half marathon

What half are you training for? I'm doing the MORE on April 13th, and like you, it will be my first half post baby (who's also 1 y.o). I haven't run more than 3 miles in months so am a bit scared.

For your questions, I typically follow the HH plan which has 10m as the longest run. The plan does taper some of the long runs - week 6 and week 9 of the 12 week plan are shorter "long" runs, but are supposed to be done at racing pace.

I once followed the Nike half plan which had my longest run at 12 miles. But I prefer the HH plans. I've run 6 halfs and used HH for 5 of them.

Longest run for a half marathon

Most hal Higdon plans only go to 10 miles as your longest run adding a mile a week. Since your returning after a break I would stick to that schedule. 10 is more than enough to train for a half.

Good luck!

Re: Longest run for a half marathon

I'm running my first half in May. I'm doing a slightly modified version of Hal Higdon's Novice 2 program. The longest run is 12. I plan on adding extra weeks of 10-12 or 13 miles into my training since the longest I've ever run is 7 miles. I want to make sure I feel comfortable running the longer distances.

Re: Longest run for a half marathon

Longest run for a half marathon

Jenna I would run to at least 11 miles. YOu will be fine you have done several in the past! Have fun!

Re: Longest run for a half marathon

I've done a lot of half marathons. I don't think I have ever done more than 10 miles for a training run. Funny you posted this, as I am doing the Disney princess half next month and in was looking at training programs and a lot of them say to run 11 or 12 miles. I am doing 10 this weekend but havent decided whether to go longer in the next few weeks or stick with a few 10-milers.