Half Marathon Query

donal2000

Hi All,

I have completed in the last year a 5km (time: 24:20), 5mile (time: 42:29) and 10km (time: 57:20)
Having not ran in a few weeks I went out over the weekend and ran 5.45km in just under 29mins so that's the level I am at. Not sure if that's good/bad for somebody starting out?!

There is a half marathon in December that I'd love to enter. Am I capable of doing it? What distances should I be running per week in order to bring me up to this level and how many times per week should I be out?

Thanks

RayCun

here's a training plan

Clearlier

donal2000 wrote: »

Hi All,

I have completed in the last year a 5km (time: 24:20), 5mile (time: 42:29) and 10km (time: 57:20)
Having not ran in a few weeks I went out over the weekend and ran 5.45km in just under 29mins so that's the level I am at. Not sure if that's good/bad for somebody starting out?!

There is a half marathon in December that I'd love to enter. Am I capable of doing it? What distances should I be running per week in order to bring me up to this level and how many times per week should I be out?

Thanks

You can do it. The main question is about how painful it will be and whether it is worth the pain or not? If your run at the weekend was as much as you could have done then it's probably going to be painful and you'd be well advised to practice a run/walk strategy to get a through a half in about 6 weeks. That said you can improve a lot in 6 weeks.

I'd focus on time on your feet. Run 3-4 times per week, maybe starting off with something like 40mins at the weekend and 20 minutes 2-3 times during the week. Add 5 mins on to each run per week until the week of the half when 2 20 - 25 minutes runs will leave you as ready as you're likely to get.

My suggestions are aimed at balancing the risk of injury with getting you as fit as possible for the race. You would be better advised to choose another half marathon and train for it properly using a training plan such as that which Ray linked to.

donal2000

Thanks for the replies

huskerdu

You should follow the training plan that Ray linked to as much as possible.

As you only have six weeks, you will have to compromise, but starting at week 4 and hope for the best.

If you did the full 12 weeks, you should be capable of running a half in 2hr 5-10min, which is around 6min/km.

As you do longer runs, concentrate totally on distance and time on your feet, make sure you are not running too fast. Stick to 6.30min/km unless you are very comfortable.

jester1980

Followed that training plan myself this year, started running this Year in April at about 28 mins for 5km, did a race in June in about 24 mins. Then twelve weeks before the Dublin Half i did that plan and finished it in 1hour 44 mins 37 secs so couldnt believe it. Its a fantastic plan and the wife is going to do it for Connemara next year.

Good luck.