If you’re going to start training to run a half marathon you need to have a basic level of fitness. It’s all too easy to be inspired by seeing the Great North Run or the London Marathon and think “I can do that”.
However, before starting any half marathon training guide you realistically need to be able to run 4 to 5 miles comfortably. So, if you’ve never run before you need to check out some couch to 5k type training plans and build up your fitness. Then maybe run a few 10k races and get a feel for longer distances.
So, once you’ve got your base level and aspire to run a half marathon you need to find a good training schedule. Most training plans are either 12 or 16 weeks long and build up gradually so that your long run is eventually 11 or 12 miles long. Most of them don’t actually take you up to and over the 13.1 mile distance.
There are some really good beginners schedules around which are freely available on the net.Google Hal Higdon and check out the schedules on there.
Bear in mind that life is never simple and you may get injured, go on holiday, lose motivation etc so allow for a few “off” weeks to be built into your training plan. Better to have a few weeks spare than be struggling to get your long runs in because you didn’t allow enough time or you got injured.
Running 13.1 miles isn’t easy but the satisfaction when you cross the finish line of your half marathon is immense and you need to stay motivated to get there. Don’t get bogged down with complicated training plans, choose one which suits your lifestyle and get out there!
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