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First time half marathon

  • 08-03-2010 02:42AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,048 ✭✭✭


    Hey all,

    looking for some advice. I've never run any sort of road race and am contemplating running a half marathon (this one to be precise: http://www.strawberryhalfmarathon.com/index.html) at the end of June. First off am I mad to think of doing a half marathon as my first road race? My fitness levels would be fairly average. I go jogging 3/4 nights a week and the route I do is (I think) between 1.5 - 2 miles. I've been doing this for about 2 months now and it does tire me out but it's definitely getting easier.

    Anyway, if I do decide to run it what's the best way to go about starting proper training for it, as opposed to what I'm doing now?

    And lastly (stupid question alert!) I assume a pedometer is a necessary investment in terms of training and gradually increasing distances etc?

    Cheers Everyone!


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,706 ✭✭✭BrokenMan


    Yes you can do a half in June certainly. However i would not make it my first race. Try and get at least a 5K and a 10K in before hand just so you get the feel of an actual race. Regarding training, most training plans for a half would be around 12 weeks so you are looking at starting it around Easter.
    Have a look at this one http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm or google half marathon training plans.
    You will need to increase your miles between now and then though to arond 3 miles 3 or 4 times a week.

    Best of luck with it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,567 ✭✭✭RoyMcC


    Like Broken Man says you really ought to get at least one shorter race in, in the next few weeks if possible.

    And yes, get a programme. They're mostly tried and tested.

    Seems to me (a common theme) is that if 1.5/2 miles is tiring after two months then you're running too fast. Slow down so that you can increase your miles to match the programme.

    I don't know anyone that uses a pedometer (might be wrong). You can approximate distances in several ways but a GPS like a Garmin is really what you need if you're serious.

    Good luck.


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