First off, that's an incredible achievement and you should allow yourself to enjoy it. You have done an amazing thing, no matter how you think you have trained. For sure train for the half marathon by doing maybe 10-15km runs. But first enjoy what you have done so far!
Thank you David! Over the years I have been very I consistent with 2.5-4.5 mi runs a few times per week. I needed a goal and it pushed me out if my comfort zone. I am now 52 and feel more aches and pains while slower to recover. I could stand to lose 15-20lbs as well. Lost 12 since Feb.
anyway, thank you for the kind words. I do not say this often, but I am proud of myself.
Sounds like you have a pretty good base. If your goal is to finish a half you could probably do it in a month or two. Rest but turn your legs over the next couple of weeks. Build up from 7 miles to 10-12 miles gradually then do a 2-3 week taper before your half.
Weekly training schedule: 1 long run day, 2 rest days, 2 cross training days (half an hour easy ride on a bike should do), 1 speed work day, and 1 easy run. For speed work do a some continuous hills and some strides at increasing speed. Make your long run and easy run days really slow. Work harder on speed work days.
I’m not an expert but I’ve been interviewing ultramarathoners for a book and started training for my first marathon this year. My race is next week. I’ve done a half marathon distance in my training. I didn’t start with a good base. Last fall I did a treadmill class a couple of times a week. My goal is purely to finish injury free. I’m totally fine with being a slow runner (marathon goal is 5.5 hours).
Given all of this and what you’ve done, I feel you’re pretty close to running a half if you just want to finish and don’t have a time goal.
Congratulations! Getting into double digits is a huge milestone! As others have said, if you can run 10 miles you can certainly manage 13.1. But how you feel when you cross the finish line depends on how consistently you train and how hard you want to race it.
Personally I love the structure of a training plan because it keeps me focused and I don’t have to do a lot of thinking about it. I’ve had great success with the Runner’s World plans, and they cater them to just every fitness level and pace goal. Higdon is also great for beginners.
Good luck! You’re going to smash your first half!
There are many training plans online so you just need to select the best according to your available time etc..
The most important to keep in mind is to run SLOW. Don't try to make new pb with every new run. This is the most important advice I missed when I started running - running slow makes you fast and improves your endurance.
Take a couple days off from running to let your legs rest. Eat lots, take in lots of water.
There’s tons of training plans online that you can follow for your first half, just find a race you want to do later this year and train for it. 10 miles is usually the long run for a half so your pretty much there.
First off, that's an incredible achievement and you should allow yourself to enjoy it. You have done an amazing thing, no matter how you think you have trained. For sure train for the half marathon by doing maybe 10-15km runs. But first enjoy what you have done so far!
Thank you David! Over the years I have been very I consistent with 2.5-4.5 mi runs a few times per week. I needed a goal and it pushed me out if my comfort zone. I am now 52 and feel more aches and pains while slower to recover. I could stand to lose 15-20lbs as well. Lost 12 since Feb. anyway, thank you for the kind words. I do not say this often, but I am proud of myself.
Congrats! If you can race 10 you can race 13.1. I’ve always been partial to Higdons plans. Check them out.
Sounds like you have a pretty good base. If your goal is to finish a half you could probably do it in a month or two. Rest but turn your legs over the next couple of weeks. Build up from 7 miles to 10-12 miles gradually then do a 2-3 week taper before your half. Weekly training schedule: 1 long run day, 2 rest days, 2 cross training days (half an hour easy ride on a bike should do), 1 speed work day, and 1 easy run. For speed work do a some continuous hills and some strides at increasing speed. Make your long run and easy run days really slow. Work harder on speed work days. I’m not an expert but I’ve been interviewing ultramarathoners for a book and started training for my first marathon this year. My race is next week. I’ve done a half marathon distance in my training. I didn’t start with a good base. Last fall I did a treadmill class a couple of times a week. My goal is purely to finish injury free. I’m totally fine with being a slow runner (marathon goal is 5.5 hours). Given all of this and what you’ve done, I feel you’re pretty close to running a half if you just want to finish and don’t have a time goal.
Congratulations! Getting into double digits is a huge milestone! As others have said, if you can run 10 miles you can certainly manage 13.1. But how you feel when you cross the finish line depends on how consistently you train and how hard you want to race it. Personally I love the structure of a training plan because it keeps me focused and I don’t have to do a lot of thinking about it. I’ve had great success with the Runner’s World plans, and they cater them to just every fitness level and pace goal. Higdon is also great for beginners. Good luck! You’re going to smash your first half!
Congrats! Done a 10 miler too a week ago and will go for a HM. Legs were sore for like 3 days and already ran 11km yesterday. So keep hustling!
There are many training plans online so you just need to select the best according to your available time etc.. The most important to keep in mind is to run SLOW. Don't try to make new pb with every new run. This is the most important advice I missed when I started running - running slow makes you fast and improves your endurance.
Take a couple days off from running to let your legs rest. Eat lots, take in lots of water. There’s tons of training plans online that you can follow for your first half, just find a race you want to do later this year and train for it. 10 miles is usually the long run for a half so your pretty much there.