1 month to half marathon - enough time to prep?

gerardk55

Hi All,

Looking for a bit of advice, or maybe re-assurance!

Signed up for a half marathon on the May bank holiday weekend. This will be my 5/6 half marathon in the last few years but probably the least time I've given myself in terms of prep. Fitness levels are better than previous years after a winter of rugby and astro soccer. Went for a 5 mile run last night and it was horrendous. Cramps, shin splints, stitch etc.

I did play astro Tuesday and Wednesday nights so was it a case needing a bit more time to recover from those before hitting the road or have I bitten off more than I can chew in terms of the distance and the time I've given myself to prepare?

Thanks,
gerardk55

pconn062

Have you done any running whatsoever recently apart from that 5 mile run? If I was you I would drop all the football and whatever and just try and get out for a run as often as possible over the next few weeks (without overdoing it and injuring yourself). No amount of indoor football will train you for a half marathon. Realistically though a month is not really enough to get ready for a half marathon but any running you get in now will make it a less painful experience. Start with 3 mile runs and build it up from there, getting out 4-5 times a week if possible. If you have done long runs before in the last you could maybe get up to ten miles before the race. You've done the distance before so that might be enough to get you around in one piece.

gerardk55

Thanks pconn,

I had been doing this 5 mile route irregularly over the winter, every second or third week along with the rugby training and soccer which was weekly. The rugby is finished so really only one night of soccer and the running to contend with. I guess it's just a case of building up the mileage in the legs.