Anyone run a half marathon?

Question

I ran the disney half marathon last year, but this year I decided to do a half marathon locally in Clermont. I just started training on my own. I would like to know if anyone ran and walked a half marathon before. I tried running the whole marathon but didn't make it. I really thought that I pushed myself. Has anyone ran and walked a marathon before? If you could give me some pointers it would be great. Last year I had a coach but this year I am just trying to continue my running, and to do my best. Also any good ideas on what to eat would be informative. Thank you.

Answer 1

Lots of people have run marathons. I have done 20. Here are some of my advices:

1) Distance running is 50% physical and 50% mind game. You must realize that, if you can run 10 miles non-stopped for training and still get around rest of the day, you can run 3 more miles at the race for half marathon. It is not a physical thing whether you can do it or not; it is a mental thing - how you approach the running. A lot of beginners make the mistake of going out too fast and push too hard. If you look at the professional marathoners, they all have the similar pace at the beginning, and only at like miles 20-24 do the winner separate from the pack of elite runners. You must learn to pace yourself and not to overrun your own speed.

2) For your training, I would advise either to run with a group or run on a treadmill. I train all of my marathons on treadmill because I can pace myself and it is flexible to my schedule. I am very disciplined and will force myself to follow a set of training schedule I placed upon myself. Most people can't, and if you can't, get a running group. The running group will not only teach your to run, you learn to run better - with the coach, other runners, even simulated race for runners. For you, I would highly recommend to get a running group at this point of your running.

3) As a runner, there is not a "on" season and a "off" season. You should be training at all time. Most runners who run sporadically will need about 6 months to train. However, I run 3-4 marathons a year, and I am under training all year long - so I only need about 1 month to prepare for marathon. I just ran one at end of July, and I am thinking of running another either in mid September or mid October. Running all the time makes it easier to train for a race.

4) For you to train for half marathon, you will need to get used to about 25-30 miles per week of running, at least the month prior to the race. It should be composed of regular 5-7 miles run, occasional 8-11 miles, and possibly a 13-15 miles if you can. Only do your schedule slack off the week prior to the race, down to about 5-10 miles that week.

5) Eat healthy. Eat healthy all the time. The week prior to the race, you can carb load. Otherwise, eat healthy and drink plenty of fluid.

6) Don't make any changes for the race. Don't buy a new shoe or new short or new drinks, etc. You should use the same pair of shoes and everything for the race.

7) Just remember, you are not there to win the race. You are there to beat your old time and to do the best you can. If you can do better, then you train harder to do even better the next one. There is only 1 overall champion for the race, but everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner.

Answer 2

Hi Sandy, there's some great advice there, I dont have a wealth of knowledge, i'm 44 started running in jan 07 and did my first 1/2 marathon on july 1. I found a training program on the net and followed that. There are so many on here and some vary slightly from the others, but one thing iv'e got from all iv'e read is time spent on your feet is important. I made the mistake when i started, on putting to much emphises on how far i was running, when i started on the training program the long runs were all time based, 1 easy long run a week then shorter easy runs, with some speed work included on alternate days. The long runs build up to a 2hr run 4 weeks before your race then you start to taper. As a matter of coarse the fartherest i ran in training was 19km. Come race day I found a pace i was comfortable with and held it all the way, on an out and back course i was 19secs slower coming home. Iv'e included the link to the program i used. I hope this is of some use.

Answer 3

I've run the so cal half marathon, OC half marathon and the la marathon. All of those were really fun. My running schedule was 2-5 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Usually Monday was an easier day than the rest. i ran 2- 3 miles on Mondays. Then I would run hard workouts on Saturdays, running 6 miles and up! For 1/2 marathons run from 6 to 13 miles. Marathons, 6 to 24 miles.
Bring water on those runs. eat an energy thing at least every hour. Get running socks and shoes. Training with other people always really helps!!!!!!! eat lots of carbs before running. Lots of protein in the hour after your run. Muscle strengthening may help. Pace yourself and have a good attitude. listen to music if that helps.

Answer 4

Sounds like your training schedule ain't right. You need to put a long run into your weekly schedule if you're gonna comfortably do a half M.

Day 1- 3 miles
Day 2 - 6 miles
Day 3 - 3 miles
Day 4 - 6 miles
Day 5 - 3 miles
Day 6 - 9 miles then increasing to near 13 miles as you train.
Rest

A rule of thumb says that you can run 3 times your average daily mileage.

Good Luck