1/2 Marathon Training?

Question

I just got asked to run in a 1/2 marathon in October (its August) -- I want to run it but have never been a runner. Do I have enough time to train for it?

Answer 1

I think you can do it! Don't start to add extra miles too quickly. If you walk for part of the 1/2 marathon that is OK. Perhaps you can run 8 minutes and walk 1 minute the whole race. I actually think you can run the whole way, but it is OK if you can't.

Answer 2

Not really, you need more time to prepare and run it safely. Ideally you would have a 3.5-4 month training schedule. You could run/walk it. I would suggest you check out the Runner's World web site as they offer a variety of 1/2 marathon plans that are free. Some, by running coach John Bingham, go through how to run/walk a 1/2 marathon.

Keep in mind that you probably could push it and make it but your risk of injury is high. Better to take it easy and train for one later.

Answer 3

No..... unless you want to end up injured and dissapointed. Start running and see how you're doing after a month. You'll know by then whether you can handle 13.1 miles. If you are not a runner then it is very unlikely that you will be able to finish unless you are ok with walking much of the race. You want to cross that finish line feeling good.....so, if you really want to make a 1/2 marathon one of your goals, pick a later date. Start out easy and be sure to do some research before you just go out and start running. Doing too much too soon with the wrong shoes can cause serious injury.

Either way, I wish you good luck.

Answer 4

It will be a bit tight, but if you don't mind a slow finishing time, you can try.

Mathematically, 1/2 marathon is 13.1 miles. If you just walk it (normal walking speed is about 3 mph, fast walk is 3.5 mph), you can finish a half marathon in 4 hours. That's a lot of time, but that is the maximum time you will need if you start training. The goal of your training is to cut down the time to something more respectable like 3 hours or less.

What you have to get used to is to start with long brisk walking. Mixing the walking with about 5-10 minutes of slow jogging. Alternate. Jog, walk, jog, walk. Over the next 1-2 weeks, you need to aim for at least 1 hour of walking/jogging per day and possibly more. Also, you need to measure the distance that you just walked/jogged to see improvement.

Then, you need to start increasing your endurance, by doing 2-3 hours of walk/jog in the weekend. On the weekday, alternate one day of walk/jog with another day of running for at least 15-20 minutes. Also, increase the amount of jogging while you walk. Get used to it.

You will need to get used to at least 7-9 miles of walk/jog during your training and be very comfortable to able to carry on with rest of your day after that. Your goal is to eventually hit a total of 10 miles of jog/walk in one session, preferably in about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. That will be a hard task, but it is not impossible. If you can do that, you can finish about 3 hour-ish, which will be a big accomplishment.

Make sure you check the course time limit. If it is required that you finish within 3 hours, then you will likely to have some problem. If you have 3 1/2 hours or 4 hours, it should be possible. However, you need to really push yourself. Have fun with it and give it your best shot. If you finish, there will always be another half marathon for you to improve yourself.

Also ask about early start. A lot of races allow the walkers to have early start - 1-2 hours early, so they can finish in time. Not a bad idea.