When coming up with an effective half marathon running schedule, it is critical that you examine all of the different factors and aspects that can either make or break an athlete when it comes time to perform. Your training will be what helps you to succeed and do the best you can in the race you are preparing for. The schedule that you devise for yourself should be an enormous help in getting you into shape so you can finish the distance in the least amount of time. The more consistently you train the better, however you will also need to have a technique that gives you the edge you require for competitive running.
In coming up with the schedule that you use to train, you will want to start by focusing on pace. Pacing yourself during your runs is essential, and you will want to take enough time to find the pace that feels best. It can sometimes be a challenge to find a pace that moves you along quickly without wearing you out in too short of time. The number one thing to do is not worry about going as fast as you can while you race. Your pacing will be much more important in your day-to-day training schedule, so put most of your attention on that.
Your training schedule should consist of a set distance for each day. If you not in great shape to begin with, then you will probably want to take it easy for the first couple weeks of training. The distance that you run in your training sessions will depend on how far you will be running in the marathon. If it is a 5k race for example, then you might want to start out running 2 or 3 miles at a time. Slowly increase the distance that you run as your training weeks progress. By doing this you can avoid any physical shock to your body that could result from moving along too quickly in your training.
You should also make plenty of time for rest and relaxation in your half marathon running schedule. Although some people find that taking entire days to rest is a waste of time, the truth is that resting is a vital part of training for a race. When you spend so much time running, walking, or cycling, the muscles in your body get worn out and stretched to their limit. To avoid any injuries, you should rest for two days every week. You might want to think about making those days at least three days apart from each other, so you can still get plenty of running in.
Even though when you think of a marathon you typically picture people running, that isn’t always the case. Many people who participate in marathons speed walk through portions of the race. They do this because they know that pacing is important, and that attempting to run the entire way can easily lead to hitting a wall, or tiring too quickly. To avoid this, you can make sure to get just the right amount of running and walking in the marathon, which is what your training sessions are for.
When you are on your runs, you can feel free to start walking anytime you want. If you begin to feel tired, then it is highly recommended you begin walking until you feel like you can start running again. The important thing is that you stay at a comfortable pace and intensity while still challenging yourself and getting the workout you need for the marathon. It is important to include all of these things in your half marathon running schedule if you want to do well.
Source by Rudy Myers
