Attempting to Run Half Marathon

Ron Burgundy II

Took up some light running on average around 5k around xmas to de-stress from exams and studying. so i'm a total novice when it comes to running.
Have kept it up for the most part until a few weeks ago had to get orthotics. so was told not to do any running for 6 weeks. Got use to them very quickly so after 3 weeks started to do some slow 5k.
Now my plan is to enter for the half marathon in Cork on 3rd June. Have increased the number of times I go running to 3 time a week. Map my run informs me that my run distance is 5.2km, time wise I'm slow enough at 28mins.
So can anyone tell me what I should be doing training wise to prepare for the half marathon. At this moment in time I'm regretting signing up. I will be increasing my run on the weekends to 10km. Oh got new runners due to the orthotics.

Thanking you in advance

Regards
Ron

Krusty_Clown

Find a half marathon plan and follow it. Forget about making it up yourself. Hal Higdon is usually a good starting point. Not brilliant programs, but they'll get you through the distance.

Gavlor

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

Took up some light running on average around 5k around xmas to de-stress from exams and studying. so i'm a total novice when it comes to running.
Have kept it up for the most part until a few weeks ago had to get orthotics. so was told not to do any running for 6 weeks. Got use to them very quickly so after 3 weeks started to do some slow 5k.
Now my plan is to enter for the half marathon in Cork on 3rd June. Have increased the number of times I go running to 3 time a week. Map my run informs me that my run distance is 5.2km, time wise I'm slow enough at 28mins.
So can anyone tell me what I should be doing training wise to prepare for the half marathon. At this moment in time I'm regretting signing up. I will be increasing my run on the weekends to 10km. Oh got new runners due to the orthotics.

Thanking you in advance

Regards
Ron

You'll also need to peak at 11-12 miles at the weekends, 10k's will be no use to you

Sara2002

Ill second the recommendation for Hal Higdon training plan for a half marathon. Stick to that and you won't go wrong. Good luck to you.

dekbhoy

the important thing to do is to increase you weekly mileage by 10% up to about 80% of distance. if you just want to complete the half marathon then dont worry about time. Most people that are relaively fit ie. do some cardio related sport will complete a half marathon the serious training starts when you want to complete it in a certain time therefore you need to stick to a strict training plan as in hal higdon etc.
Best of luck.

Krusty_Clown

dekbhoy wrote: »

the serious training starts when you want to complete it in a certain time therefore you need to stick to a strict training plan as in hal higdon etc.
Best of luck.

Hal Higdon plans are far from the best around, but they are perfect for those aiming to complete a new distance. Following a plan will provide the structure necessary to minimize the risk of injury, while maximizing the chances of success. First-timers who decide to wing-it, invariably end up doing too much mileage or more often, not enough and find themselves either under-trained or injured. It's also easier to stay motivated, if you commit to a structured plan.

calabi yau

Hi, could anyone recommend a 5 runs a week programme for 9 weeks for a half marathon?

Ron Burgundy II

Thanks for the advice. So far all my runs I have paced at 5.30min/km not very fast, but last night I put the boot to the floor and managed to run 4.30min/km for 5km. I know it sounds crazy that I managed to get 1min/km off my time:D but it was all flat running and I just really pushed my self, so far today I'm not suffering.:D

I basically kept pace with some one running at a good pace ahead of me (stranger).

huskerdu

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. So far all my runs I have paced at 5.30min/km not very fast, but last night I put the boot to the floor and managed to run 4.30min/km for 5km. I know it sounds crazy that I managed to get 1min/km off my time:D but it was all flat running and I just really pushed my self, so far today I'm not suffering.:D

I basically kept pace with some one running at a good pace ahead of me (stranger).

22.5 minutes for 5k is a pretty good time, and its good to do a fast run every do often as part of your training, but it's not going to get you around 21.1km.

Keep up the running, Stick to the standard advice and look at a novice half -marathon training program and you will get there.

Increase the mileage every week
Run at a slow pace most of the time ( as you increase your mileage, running fast is a sure-fire way of getting injured)
Increase the length of your long run every week by 10% until you are close to the half-marathon distance.

Ron Burgundy II

Just an update I completed the Cork City Half Marathon in a time of 2hr 10mins. Not going to set the world on fire with that time but I'm happy
I must admit I didn't keep to the plans that you good folks recommended:(
Got a injury three weeks before the marathon, with physio I was unable to do anything for two weeks. So all I was able to do was a few light runs the most I could do before the half was only 8kms.
So happy to have finished my first ever race (but still a bit stiff today).
Because I enjoyed it so much I now have plans to do a 10k in two weeks time and looking to do the half in either Dingle or Dublin in September.
Thanks again for the advice on training plans.